New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-19
FOR REFUNDING THE DUTIES.
SOLICITOR HEPBURN's DECISION IN THE CASE
OF THE STEAMER wERRA's SHAFT
AVN

AND PROPELLER.
Washington, May 10 (Specia)-The sohcl'or "a s.'o
Treasury has given decision confeGT1ng su'hori'S
ON the Treasury Department to refund TO tle No'"'
German LLOYD Steamship Company certain uu'ics vi
,teamer shaft imported in 1885. claim LOT "nioh
RVS handing in the last Congress and. though prac
ucallv without opposition, failed OF action during INC
,Iosnp days Of the session. The decision OF oohci'oi
Hepburn viii now 60 formally to the AVOorue9 "e
for approval and his acquiescence III IL VIII pioOo,'
bring TO lust and satisfactory conclusion case ue
merits of which have at various times been poih'eu
out In these dispatches. $1,000
The steamer werra in August, 1882 was u'saoeu
IN by breaking shaft and losing part OF
her propeller and IN this helpless conditoh was poheu
m nv the steamer Venetia and tOwed lhVo DosVo"'
The broken parts of the machinery could only Oe TO
placed by the original builders In England, ana he"
shaft and propeller at once sent Tor Ihey We'o
not brought here of course for sale or consumption
INIT solely for the use of the disabled vessel wihoh
con,a not continue her voyage without them. The
ayents of the company offered the Collector OF Boston
, rewarehouse and withdrawal entry, according 10
Articles 745 and TAO of the general regulations Oh le
Customs and Navigation Laws OF the United states
but the Collector proceeded to collect duties IN iu'
which the company was forced to pay uioueh unue'
nrotest bill directing the refunding OF the
duties PASSED the House Of Representatives at
the first session Of the List Congress, Mr. Burrows
making favorable report from the Committee on ways
and Means The Senate Committee on Claims also
made favorable report and recommended the passage
OF the House bill, but through the opposition OF
single Senator, Mr. Pasco. Of Florida. who for some
reason fought it persstently. vote on the measure
was prevented in the Senate and the bill did not be
come law. The company having carried up It's ap-
peal to the Treasury Department, solicitor Hepburn
has concluded that the duties be RENTED by the
Secretary under the authority Of existing law on the
ground that the Collector Of the Port of Boston con-
stred the general regulations too strictly and lib
orally As Mr.. Burrows said in his admirable report
"The general regulations of the Department are
not nfexlble and at least instance can be cited
where the regulations were suspended to admit the
equipment Of pleasure-bOat. This occurred in the
ease of the yacht Thistle, which 10 this country
from England In the year 1887 to participate in race
with American yachts for the America Cup. The
rigging of the Thistle imported after she arrived
AT New York, and duty was eXacted. The race
was regarded international III character and there
fore the Treasury relieved the rigging and tackle In
tended for the Thistle from the payment Of duty as
an act OF international courtesy II the Treasury can
suspend the laws its general regulations act
of coutcsy to pleasure vessel, surely IL is not asking
TOO much TO extend the courtesy 10 vessels OF
friendly nation which arrive at Of our ports in
Distress" ~
The ATTORNEY Generals review of Solicitor Hepburns
decision is expected within few days.