New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-09
PART II.
PAGES II TO ID.
SIMON & cos. ADVANTAGE.
THEY UNDERSOLD THE JAPANESE FAN
COMPANY.
Mr.. BINLEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS Elk.
CEPT UPON ONE THEORY

Mr.. BINLEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS Ex'
CEPT UPON ONE THEORY.
From the manner in which the investigation Of the
Appraisers stores has been conducted by the Custom
House investigating Commission up TO this tme 1t
would appear that at least two Of the members Of the
commission acting the defenders OF J. r. Simon
Co. ard J. c. wiswall. 1t was on account OF the
charges that Wiswal. the examiner, had been under
valuing the silk mportaticns of J. r. Simon a. Co.
that he suspended But throughout this invesu-
CATION II apparently has been the purpose OF these
two members OF the commission to make out that
both this firm and wswall entirely above re.
proach and absolutely gutless OF the charges
that had been brought against them. This was
demonstrated with absolute painness In the invesi-
gatlcn yesterday The two members Of the commits
sion who have taken this intense interest I'm the firms
affairs ard In those OF the examiner are Daniel
Magone, Coecto OF the Fort under Mr.. CLEVELAND
and ex-Congressman Poindexter Dunn. Of Arkansas.
IT. yesterdays session Henry Bnley, OF The jap.
anese Fan Company, WAS called witness TO testify
in relation to the methods followed purchasing sik
goods in JAPAN and to the prices paid there in the
fall Of 1900 His testimony surprising to tho
commission because it brought out Just the things
that the commission did not care to make part OF
the record. Mr.. Bnley first asked regarding the
undertaking Of his firm by J. r. Simon Co., and
he declared that this finn did underse his house and to
such extent that his company could not touch their
prices Mr.. Biney was in Japan In 1900 ara he kept
the leading dealers in silks in Yokohama the centre
of the silk trade in Japan. These prices varied ma
terally from those that had been quoted last week
by a member Of the firm Of J. r. Simon Co., being
much higher.
Neither Mr.. Magone nor Mr.. Durn reshed this and
they put the witness through thorough examination
to try to break down his testimony. The member Of
the firm OF J. r. simon & 60. testified last week that
there fnar cial panic In Japan In the fall OF
1900, and that the reason why he had bought his
goods cheapy. Mr.. B.ney denied this absolutely.
He in Japan at The time and the silk market then
firm and stable. 1t did not fall OFF until August
OF the following year. Then the two commissioners
wanted to know If by going around the country and
making with the handkerchief makers in the
Interior. better prices could net be secured.
"On the contrary replied Mr.. Binley, lyon cannot
buy so low in that way. II you 80 to the
Japanese and want TO buy, he knows that you are
anxious to get the goods and he will put on price
accordingly. II you wait for him TO come to you,
you get much better bargains Why the japanese
papers"
I've don't want to hear anything about the
japanese papers. We will read them ourselves"
interrupted Mr. lMagone
You cannot read them and can," retorted Mr..
Bnley, "and that is why wanted to tell you that
they announce twice week that certain buyers are
after silk handkerchiefs Then the Jap puts up the
price. can buy 1000 dozen handkerchefs as
cheaply as / can buy 10000 Dozen The more you
Blnley waited until the last before giving the most
important part of his testimony. This was that
there was scheme in operation BY which certain
importers got their goods into this country at their
own valuations. He said
a proposition made to me by a representative
OF Maurice Schuyser Co., of Lyons, France, for mo
TO ship my goods from Yokohama to them that
they could ship the goods 10 my firm, putting any
price that named on the invoices. They would
agree to do a little work in the goods
"Do you mean by this that they then TO be
sent to this country imports from Francel' asked
Mr.. MacFarlane.
Eyes, sir; that is the idea. This firm was for
mery the agent OF J. II. Simon e. Co., and its repre-
senatives told that they had shipped goods 10 this
country in that way. When l asked them why
they did not put the true valuation. they replied:
We not American citizens and do not care 20
long AS we can get the invoices through all right"
Mr.. Bnley said further that J. r. simon Co. and
Mendelss0hn Il Co., who imported by way OF San
Francisco. frequently sold goods for less than the
market value. lie closed his testimony by declaring
that his firm bought for spot cash and secured as
low prices as any firm. yet II constantly under
sold BY J. II. Simon Il Co. Both Mr.. Magone and
Mr. Dunn seemed to be greatly relieved when he
left the witness chair
The session of the commission opened yesterday
morning with Appraiser Cooper as the first witness.
The Appraiser told the Commissioners That he could
not be- compelled TO be present but he came OF his
Appraisers stores. The Commissioners did not seem
to appreciate this courtesy on his part. for one Of
them. Mr.. Dunn. did his best to insult him. Mr.
Cooper had explained the complete workings OF the
observed In the Appraisers stores. He said that he
fousd things in a bad condition when he came there
and he could not change them. Mr.. Magone SID
down in his seat when this answer was made Inc
Appraiser said in reply TO question as TO VINO signed
the invoices that they could not be signed by ueao
,.
Why do YOU to say that the Appraisers
Office is run by a dead man !" asked Mr.. Dunn In
a sneering tone.
The Appraiser became angry and said
i do propose to stand here and share stch
insinuaiions cast upon Will deal fairly by this
commission and tell all that know. but want 1t
to deal fairly with me-
The question ought 10 be WITHDRAWN said Mr.
Magone. -
well I'll withdraw II then, said Mr.. Dunn testify.
The Appraiser asked about the assistant
appraisers and their ability to perform the work I'M
posed upon them. All but two. he said, were ex-
perienced
General Williams. the Deputy Collector al the APP
praiser's stores the witness stand nearly TWO
hours In the afternoon telling about his ideas as TO
how the Appraisers Department should BE- run. 1t
gave him opportunity TO air his differences OF
opinion with the Appraiser
the time. {. ]. Iamln. the Assistant secretary OF
tho Treasury Will be here with additional Instructions
from the secretary OF the rreasur;.
pp5TED ET fNES l\D SnOEC