New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-28
VAS THE TOBACCO UNDERVALUED
CAN INDICTMENTS BE FOUND AGAINST ". E
SALoMoN VIEWS or DEALERS IN
SUMATRA LEAF.


United States Dlstrict-Attomcy Walker said yestcr.
day that he was busy preparing the evidence I'm the
case of the alleged violation Of the customs laws in
the import alton Of sumara tobacco The tobacco.
according TO the letter received by Mr Walker from
secretary Farchlld belonged to NJ & +. Solomon.
ana the Secretary declared that in his judgment AS
sis'an' Appraiser Sturgcs and Examiner IIammill
knowingly aided in admitting the tobacco upon false
classification, and the Secretary suggested that cvi-
dence mieht be found against the owners OF the to-
bacco. Mr.. Walker IS collecting the evidence in the
case and 1t viii be presented TO the present Grand
Jury Indictments for violating the customs laws
may be found in few days.
representative Of tho VI. and f. Solomon To-
bacco Company was seen at his Office, NO 50 Maiden
Lane, yesterday. With regard TO the alleged irrgu-
laHties he said Our firm has several times had re
appraiscment Of sumatrs tobacco made and We have
always paid the duty, and willing to continue doing
so. As TO any Irregularities alleged TO have existed be-
tween the Appraisers Office and firm, all can say
Is that II IS sheer nonsense, and we laugh al Sucl
Statements
l. Friedman of No oO3 Pearlsf, an importer OF
sumara tobacco said: at IS impossible properly to
appralse Sunara tobacco under the present law A
committee Of nine members Of the Leaf Tobacco Boa
Of Trade met to-day. and agreed 10 call meeting Of
the manufacturers and growers 10 discuss and agree
upon a uniform rate Of duty, as under
the present system OF apprasement u Is
absolutely Impossible to value bale OF tobacco I'M
less every single leaf Is taken out and examined.
The law IS that tobacco OF 100 leaves to the pound
pays 30 cents per pound, and If moro than 100
leaves 10 cents per pound. and as no TWO leaves
are alike. and all are subject to change In thelr
weight from atmospheric moisture, and broakaGe IN
handling any person can understand the possibility
Of two apprasemcnts differing
|. :. Ellison. OF The United states Tobacco jour
nal who was present at the meeting above referred
10. said: You may say my authority that eecre-
tary Farchld's report the alleged frauds IS all
nonsense and Is made for political effect II any
fraud. such a, minated could exist It must be In
the Custom House, not in tho Appraisers stores
Under The present Appraiser. Mr. Srarn' there have
teen cases where bale OF tobacco showed 20 per
cent 81 the % cent grade and 30 per cent Of the
- cent grade and when the importer asked for
a rcapprasemcnt tho second valuation showed 90 per
cent Il the - cent grade and 10 per cent Of tho
- cent grade II his second valuation j. true,
Why has Tie present Appraisers stan not been re-
moved ilr collision for this - a much wor>f case
Than fhr one charged against tho Solomon company
4 number Of Leaf tobacco dealers expressed similar
opinions. and all r!fcIled the idea Of fraud having
been committed, all of them being IN favor Of d
standard duty for all classes or Imported lear