New-York tribune., 1891-05-23
APPRAISERS NEED NO ADVICE.
SECRETARY FOSTERS FORCIBLE REPLY TO
A NETWORK IMPORTER.
/ REQUEST FOR AN ANNUAL PASS INTO THE
APPRAISERS OFFICE DENIED.
ley TELEGRAPH TO TEE TKIsUNE.I

K %.
sion all times TO the Offices of the Appraiser ana
assistant arprasers Of merchandise at the port OF
| New-York The applicant for the pass, George r.
PfeoRer complains that the privilege Of Visiting rhe
Appraisers stores at pleasure was wlthoi""h some
time ago by orders from Wasmngton-though secretary
Foster corects this ststement-and then blandy IN
forms the Department here that his presence daily at
.ha offices Of The Appraiser absolutely necessary
sec,tarv Foster challenges this frank assumption and
takes the opportunity to point out 70 Mt Pfeoe tat
on the contrary the Appraisers office is the one branch
of the customs service in Newiork where his advice
and assistance are least desirable or essential The
aid of the importer is fully invoked by the Govern
ment the Secretary says in the making out OF invoices
at the Collectors office and IL IS for the Appraiser to
determine, impartislly and his own judgment,
whether the invoices drawn by importers and their
agents are full and accurate The Appraiser, accord
ngy should not be moested in bis decision by agents
of interested firms. which, If the appraisement Is
thought unsatisfactory. have recourse In an appeal
and reappraisa Mr.. Pfeoffers request is denied by
the Secretary who his unqualified approval
of the action taken in NewYork by which all existing
passes to the Appraisers offices cancelled The
letter which excellent in tone and substance,
Is given in full below.
Treasury Department Office the Secretary.
Washington, D. c.. May n, 1891
George f. Pfeofcr, esq, Of George Borgfed' Co.. Nc
425 and 427 BrOomest., NewYork City.
Sir l have your letter OF May 15, IN which you
"By recent order from your Department the perma-
nent passes issued parties having business at the
United States Appraisers Stores at this port were re-
voked.''
Inquiry you mistaken in the statement
such order of revocation issued by the Treasury
Department 1t possible that the Collector and APP
praser at the port q New-York have withdrawn the
passes heretofore issued by which customs brokers'
their clerks other employees were permitted TO visit
the of the assistant appraiser and examiners
is the case and such withdrawal OF passes mas
haNN No "
fere with the Collector and Appraiser In the
premises On contrary. their action meets my ap-
proyal. In your letter you say further;
LAS my firm sre very large importers Of articles Of COM
plex nature absolutely Necessary that shoulo CONFER
almost daily with the Appraiser snc assistant appraisers
regarding the n connection with my broker who at
encs only TO the routine work., wen a. frequently
being called upon information pertaining 70 goods In
my line BY the Government officials"
again am forced disagree with in your opinion
that inssmuch as your Is very large importer OF
articles Of complex nature is absolutely necessary that
you should have pass permitting to visit the rooms
Of the subordinate apprzsng officers" co not under
stand that being very large importer or an importer
Of values in any changes your status or efe
"necesstes Custom House. 1t should he the puf
noe OF the officers of Government 10 extend te se
r1nt. and facilities for business all importers alike.
wthou. regard the amount OF their importations' IL
heretofore your letter would seem 70 indicate privileges
have extended your firm because OF te NoDe o'
your business. suggest hr It is ZINE such pfiNleses
were w,thdrawn and that you placed upon plane
OF equality with others.
an also at a loss TO understand how the "complex
naure Of the articles" imported by you should be per
mted 70 strengthen your claim TO invade the privacy Oh
the aupraisinc officers Articles OF complex nature
complex In their component parts, complex IN 1her
fabrcation complex in their ingenious disguise
are not uncommon in the Appraisers Department 10
deal properly with compexity the Government mas
corps OF skilled officers carefully trained, with long eX-
perenee in the service. whose duty it to determine the
classification OF and properly value this mefchahose.
u1r that oh r4rf1p Of
merchandise with which they are familiar and OF which
they have knowledge your firm is large importer Of
complex articles doubtless the officers are by this time
quite familiar with them rom long experience
II is the duty these officers first to determine Just
what tbe merchandise H. ascertain just what 1t is
worth How you can properly aid them a'er the nef-
bandise has reached the Appraisers stores cannot see
Your time 20 do when you make your entry and the
Mace is al the Custom House At that time you have an
oonoruntv and II your duty correctly 10 describe
the merchandise and honestly to state its value assume
mat YOU did this and that your statements IN this Deh"I
,,era verified by your solemn declaration You
"a an opportunity Of which, an honest
man you doubtless svailed yourself OF making
any statement character or value tnat you chose
70 make under solemnity OF the declaration pre-
.,r,ha5 hv law The law Is very sOhcitOus that your
.o.s 6s n,Ilv prcteced and urges you avail your
ef of YOUR privilege disclose all the facts concern
ing your property in aid Of the officers 70 properly
classify ana justly value it. But 1t requires you 70
rish those soemnzed by your declaration at the
time YOU in the procedure to pass the
merchandise through the Custom House. At this time
vour Judgment sought by the officers Later II Is
the unbiased and untrlmueled judgment Of the aprae
Ing officer that is desired In the first instance, it is
nroper ard pertinent that you should render aid In
the second instance your profered aid would be In
opportune and misplaced.
n wrong is you classification and value. the
law gives you ample remedy which doubtless
familiar. A reappraiseTrent woras redress The ap-
naisement Of merchandise originally conducted IA
exuar:e transaction Testimony and Argument voluntarily
cf min haS nf
the CHARACTERISTICS OF trial contest. 1t is but the
anplication Of information and knowledge, previously OBJ
tainsd nv the officer, charge duty before him.
aided bv such information to the particular invoice
IN question Is he find It needfu to obtain to enable
him 70 make a Just appraisal In reappraisenens
have opportunity sustain your contention by testimony
but after the Of the merchandise is completed and
mill the reappraement begins beg with the greatest
.o,al resect 70 suggest that the orderly and efficient
transaction requires that the aboFs OF the ap
rais,na officers should be Interrupted by the disturb
inc nresence Of interested parties who have once had
onortunity t6 all that proDrety would permit them TO
DO Notwithstanding these had been revoked and
who later have Of opportunity although the
revocation Of the passes be continued
II might be proper here TO state that many Of the
,,mr,ising officers complain Of 1.-THE annoyance and
hndrance occasoned by the Oquacty Of iatdng brokers
in their rooms The suggestion TIA, you are frequently
called upon for information PERTAINING 70 goois IN my
vopr, linen by the sppraising officers is also noted
Your willingness furnish such Information eonfers
favor and is appreciated But It is scarcely possible that
a, intelligent onHeer would invite you TO visit the Ap
risers stores for the purpose OF furnishing him with
desired information. and then exclude you from his
.,ea NV respect for the intelligence OF tho ap
p..to omcers induces the belief that when you so
invited ample means will be used TO secure your immediate
aian.a without resorung 10 the methods Of annual
sLasses
In view of what has been herein written. an con-
,ransd hy sense public duty b. deny your request
- dire, that an annual pass be issued 70 visit the
,oons az the oppraising officers. especially as an In
formed that no Kind o; pass is necessary 70 secure an
interview with the Appraiser at all times during business
- Re,reetfuly yours CHARLES FOSTER,
Secretary.
THE r. ALENA MUST BE SOLD, AFTER ALL.
washington. May 22.-The Board Of Survey which
sxamined the Galena, wrecked on Gay Head last
,Ia.eh and subsequently, hoated and tOwed % the