The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-29
THE CITY'S RIVER FRONT.
CAPT. T. F. ToBIN ADVOCATES I'M.
PRovEMENT ALL ALONG.
The Government Can be Induced to
Make a Munincent Appropriation II
the City Will Only be LiberGl-Build
Up Direct Foreign Imports.

CuStoulS pOTlS VI INST uTTiNdl, III VIII DE
through no shortcoming or lack OF wiso
and energetic supervision on the part of
Surveyor Thomas II. Tobin. In fact, de-
sire and efforts TO place her there have be-
come a regular hobby with the captain. A
few weeks since The APPEAL presented q
lengthy array Of facts. figures and argu.
ments, obtained from Surveyor Tobin,
showing the difficulties encountered, the
manner in which they had been partially
overcome, and what he hoped to accom-
plish In the near future. The information
thus obtained showed very clearly that
since Memphis had been created port OF
Crst arrival, with all the attendant facili-
ties and advantages, there has been a
marked increase in the practice OF direct
importing by the merchants at large
but not more than one-tenth what il
should and no doubt will be ere long
Among other inducements for such course
is the pecuniary and time saving. Here
tofore New York, New Orleans and Balti-
more brokers have had their bank ac-
counts materially added 10 by Memphis
thoughtfully considered their shortsight.
edness. These importers intrust their or.
ders to brokers in the cities named, and i'm
every case pay brokerage or
commission aggregating fully per
cent on the original cost. This
is piled up by commission, carriage
fees and storage rates. In many instances
these brokers accomplish their purposes by
hokus-pokus manipulalions. There are
government regulations designed TO pre-
vent such impositions. but they are not
always successful. Whenever goods are
shipped from foreign country TO an inte-
rior port in this country the United States
consul ut the port from which the goods
arc shipped is obliged 10 send an invoice,
certified and sworn, TO the surveyor or col
lector Of the port where the goods are des-
tined, showing the true amount paid the
foreign firm for them. To show how this
Is avoided, II Ia only necessary 10 cite an
instance where one OF these agents bro
kers had the goods directed 10 the mer-
chant at the interior town, but took espe-
cial pains 10 have the goods sent 10 his
(said agents) care, which OF course ne
cessItatcd his releasing them at the port Of
first arrival, and the merchant received
his goods after several weeks delay. Upon
comparison OF the invoice which he re-
ccived from his agent with the true and
correct one received by the surveyor
from the United States consul, IL devel-
oped the fact that he had paid the agent
from whom he purchased the goods rs per
cent. more than the agent had paid for
them in Europe, in addition TO the broker
age, commissions, etc.
The facilities now possessed by this port
are such m TO give the commission and
brokerage fees 10 tho importer, since all
the lines Of railroads entering this port
from exterior ports are bonded carriers, M
well az the 81. Louis & New Orleans An
chor line steamers from New Orleans, La,
10 Memphis, Tenn. Goods can now come
under bonded seals direct TO this port. and
inspected in tho presence Of the importer
himself, II he 80 desires, and the duties
paid here. Then, II q refund Of duty be
claimed for missing or damaged merchan-
disc, II will be entertained by the surveyor
aud immediate steps for refund be made,
rs many merchants know who have re-
ceiyed refunds during the past year. by
thus doing the importer saves loss In the
premises. which he would otherwise have
trouble and expense In gaining through a
broker nj n distant port OF first arrival.
u
arrival, are rarely ever repacked with the
care that they should be, and the exam
nation. handling and replacing might
cause some depreciation In their value.
This, Of course, IL avoided when done Mt
the port Of destination and in the presence
oil the importer
The sage observation Of Capt Tobin In
THE APfrLLs recent article on the custom.
house is directly 10 the point. II the mer-
chants of Memphis want 10 cooperate
with the customs officials here and have
their foreign goods released at this port,
thoy would save money by 10 doing, n
well NJ 10 let Memphis enjoy the benefit Of
the collection, instead Of giving this boon
10 New York, New Orleans. baltimore or
Philadelphia. Then, should the business
materially increase, II will give service 10
moro employees, the expense Of collecting
the revenue will be greater, thus causing
tho disbursement Of more money In the
city. and finally in establishing a bonded
warehouse for the benefit of Memphis
merchants. The several advantages OF
direct importing will hardly 70 unnoticcd
by the merchants, and with their assist.
ancc Memphis will soon establish herself
proportionately 10 St. Louisand Louisville,
which ports have been established by the
desire Of their merchants 10 court cheap
accommodations, gain the advantage Of
brokerage fee and TO build up their rcspcc-
tive towns.
A comparative statement OF import du-
tics collected nj ST. Louis, Louisville and
Memphis showed the fst named city 10
he twenty-six times as large ~ Memphis,
and the second eight times "a large. Any
man with one spark Of intelligence and
oven n moderate amount Of information
knows the index Is highly fallacious. II
Is entirely due TO the habit Memphis mer-
chants have OF entering and paying duties
ON goods nj the ports Of New York, New
Orleans and elsewhere. II they would
only think for moment they would see
that such reports ~ this would be n fair
surface representation Of the business Of
city In order 10 estimate iis growth and
importance. Live business men are quick
10 observe the clearing house returns and
note the increase. Are not the custom
house receipts as reliable an index 10 the
growth and prosperity OF a city m the
clearing house rcceipts1 The collection Of
import duties here for the ak months end.
ing December 81, 1887, are S27,32360,
against ~, 1923 for the same period In
the year 1886, thus showing an increase
over the six months In the corresponding
nix months Of 1880 Of SIS, 1884 This IL
encouraging, but by no means entirely
satisfactory. II all the imports made had
been released here, the receipts would
have been at least three times az great,
and perhaps more.
Surveyor Tobin Ia now about 10. under
take another heroic task In behalf OF Mem