The sun., 1890-01-15
LIVE WASHINGTON TOPICS.
TIE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION BILL
REPORTED TO THE HOUSE.

uneuts and vaIuations-The sherman Anti-
Trust Bin Reported to tho 'senRte-AIl
Trusts Declared Unlawful aud Severe
Penalties PrOvIded-Natlonal Rants sur-
renderiMore Deposits than the Treasury
Called For-ShouIa LightnInE Burs Pay
Duty as Live Animaisf
WASHINGTON, Jan. H.-The bill reported
to the House to-day by the Ways and'Means
Committee which provides for .equalizing the
administration OF the customs laws. is accom-
panied by a report In which 1t is set forth:
I'm one form or another legislation to meet
these ends has been urged by successive Sscre-
tarieE OF the Treasury and by the business In
terests OF the country for years, and numerous
bills have been introduced with that general
purpose in view. Tho fact that as q rule these
measures were connected with PROPOSE
tlons directly affecting the tariff schelules
alone prevented action and caused their defeat.
For this reason 1t has been deemed advisable 10
submit this administrative measure apart
from any provisions affecting rates OF
duty which might be the subject OF political
differences Tho evils sought to be corrected,
to use the language OF the Secretary OF tho
Treasury, in his recent annual report, are sub
vorsive OF commercial and official morality,
destructive OF legitimate trade, and appeal to
the Judgment Of all ir-minded mon for cor
rection.'"
The report then makes detailed statement
OF the provisions of the twenty nine sections OF
the bill giving in each case u reason for the
change proposed in existing laws supported
by quotations from letters Of various Secre-
taries of the Treasury. Some Of the more i'm
portant of the many changes proposed are us
follows:
That invoices shall be made out in the currency
actually paid therefor and the Of the
place of oxportaon and that 1t shall be authenticated
by the Consular officer Of the expectation district
That the of the shipper shall apply to all
merchandise whether subject to nd vaorem or specific
duties
That tho:invoice shall tha seller Of tho goods or
give the actual market vAlue In case they were not
purchased
That tho market value stated shall be the price at
which the merchandise is freely offered for sale TO all
purchasers in said market and is the price which the
manufacturer or making tho declaration would
have received and was willing to receive, for such
merchandise sold in the ordinary course OF trade and in
the usual Wholesale quantities
The bill provides for the substitution OF
decl arations. which may be made before the
Collector or a notary public or other officer
authorized 10 administer oaths to be desiRnat-
ed by the Secretary of the Treasury, in place OF
the.oath which must now be taken before the
CokAector at the Custom House in all cases.
This requirement causes great inconvenience
New York, and has been a subject OF complaint
for many years. The change will afford relief
in this regard and will not prejudice the inter-
ssts OF the Government
The right to make additions upon entry is
limited to merchandise obtained by actual
purchase.
1t has long been the practice OF the foreign
shipper of consigned goods to invoice the mer-
chandise regardless Of the foreign market
value and TO depend upon Lis GENT in the
United States to make such addition only As
he might deem necessary in order to evade the
20 per cent. penalty. This has come 10 be one
of the, great abnses OF our customs system: -,
nine general appraisers in lieu OF four general
appraisers appointed under the PROVISIONS OF
Is to do away with the Unsatisfactory system
long prevailing under which importers partici-
p In eTs ebs oeers
contemplated by law.
superable df1lculties attending the admins.
tration of the seventh section Of the tarin act
Of March 8, 1888 as interpreted by the, courts,
notably In the case OF o berteuffer agt. hobert-
son, wherein il was held In effect, that the du-
table value Of imported merchandlse IL not ~; lt5
In the foreign markets. but in condition u,
vested of coverings OF every klstl, anu oi all
costs or charges for wrapping. folding, ticket
ing, and other expenses necessary TO place the
goods in marketable state.
o
classifying officers with plan and certain rule
for the classification OF merchandise not
enumerated or definitely, provided for in tho
tariff schedules, and which, by reasons OF the
fact that such merchandise may assmilate to.
or be q substitute for, articl es so enumerated
accordingly. rather than under section 2.5l6
Revised Statutes Says the committee OF this
change:
processes and discoveries are constantly made result
GE IN Hros RI h. or Of nad or
for Then again ths ingenSt!y OF man Is iEVShIG rd 70
taEe them out OF their proper aton and secure
their admission at q lower rate OF duty
The Committee on Rules held meeting this
morning. bur. as predicted. Mr.. Carlisle did
not attend. He excused himself on account of
sickness, The subject of the adoption Of
Speaker Reeds code OF rules was therefore not
dons. done MIR. Carlisle is stili disinclined to ut
tend any committee meeting called lor the
bs smSieet et to eomo into the HOUSE. Without
opposition and make his fight there.
The Sherman Anti Trust bill. reported to-
day from the Finance Committee declares All
arrangements, trusts. or combinations made
with view. or which tend to prevent full and
free comp petition in the importation. transpor-
tation. or sale of articles imported into the
United States. or in the production. mauufac-
production. TO be unlawful and void as against
public policy, Authority is given any person
injured by the trust ARRANGEMENT to sue In
United States Courts and recover twice the
amount of damages sustained. with the costs
OF tho suits. Amy, personlentering into any
such trust as m otllcer. agent, or stockholder;
or in any capacity whatever, Is declared
guilty OF misdemsanor, and liable to Il tiue OF
not more than $4,000, or imprisonment In the
penitentiary not exceeding five years. or both.
After several weeks consideration the Sen
alto Committee on Pensions to-day unanimous
ly directed Chairman Davis to report q De-
pendent Pension bill. The title of the bill reads
aS follows:
sailors who are incapacitated for the perfor-
nance OF labor and providing for pensions to
their widows. minor children, and dependent
parents"
The President to-day transmitted to tho Sen
ate. with his favorable recommendattQn, a
requesting Congress TO make an appropriation
for the erection OF legation buildings on the
ground in Bangkok generously presented to
the United States for this purpose by the King
OF Siam In 1884, The present legation builu.
ha tnfa a1l . frrf fhn of