New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-28

eating COMMISSION.
Secretary Carlisles private commission yesterday
continued It's investigation Of the frauds that nave
been perpcracd by the importers OF loreis" '""e
jute bags by which Government has ios' sc'er'i
hundred thOusa OF dollars some oil the ii"Poiri'
who have been engaged In this business are 'hoSt
who wero most enthusiastic over the adoption oil
the freetrade plank In the Democratic .>'"on'i
platform The testimony previously gwen by inc
examiners At the Appraisers stores was III u'c
main, that the foreign bags and the American o"e'
were so similar that II impossible 10 t"il '"''"
apart Daniel Magonc the exCollector Oh Tue fo'''
who has run the commission since Charles 8 FAR
child originally appointed the chairman. refused 10
serve with it, took exception TO this testimony anu
Yesterday a n1mbcr OF manufacturers were sum
moned 10 prove that the examiners knew ho'hihs
OF their duties. In this the commission failed.
The first witness Nicholas Brewer OF the hrm
OF Nicholas Brewer & Co.. OF No. 20 Pear[st ms
firm imports bags. He declared that no one couiu
tell the difference between the two kinds OF bags.
Charles W. Kurtz, another importer substantiated
the statements made by Mr. Brewer. He had Dech
manufacturing bags for tlr.y-hve years, ana ne
knew the bag-making business Thoroughly.
The members OF the Commission did not like the
way in which the testimony WAS going at all IL
did not please them to find examiner at the Public
stores supported by many witnesses, so they LOOK
special pains to dscrcdt. far rs possible, thc
testimony of tie next witness, Percy Kent Mt
Kent testified that he could distinguish between the
two makes extent. hut not sulhcientIy 10
be absolutely accuntc There was sometimes Il
difference In the stitching, but this was not always
reliable. Then Mr.. Mngone handed to Mr.. Kent
one of the bags the commission Ind been using
TO test the knowledge Of the witnesses as to the
make and he was asked to tell the make OF the bag.
After examining it critically, and in a manner which
showed that he was expert In his business. he said
~ can't tell that bag"
But you undertook TO tell II before the Appraiser
remarked Mr. MagOnc.
"No, sir. did not retorted Mr.. Kent firmly.
Mr.. Magone then requested Mr.. Collins. a witness
for the commission, TO take the bag and show Mt
Kent the features by which he without hesitation
Differentiated the bag. After Mr. Kent had listened
to Mr. Colllns's demonstrations. Mr.. Masone asked
him II he found that the bag actually contained those
features Mr.. Collins had described
"Ycs. agree with him 10 these facts answered
Mr. Kent "but don't agree with his deductions. y
Now MIR. Kent" exclaimed MIR. Magone. "
didn't ask you about your Deductions. Facts first
and deductions afieIward. Mr. Kent
Mr.. Kent continuing. contended that hand sewing
not q mark OF Calcutta bags exclusively. He
had been told that hand-sewcd bags were made in
California.
Did any reputable ever tell you that7' Nr
Magone demanded.
al guess I've been told that many timcs.D said Mr.
Kent.
al didn't ask yon To c7Ioss.' corrected Mr. Magone.
In his tartest manner; Il asked you say what
know"
Il can't remember who told me,' replied Mr..
Kent.
Mr.. Kent examined another bag and again ad
mitted: IL can't tell this bag
You professed "a once sarcasii' ally replied Mt
MagoneS
$50 was the firm denial.
This treatment OF voluntary witnesses by set OF
mon unauthorzcd TO act die not Pleas ~ k,n',
and after hc had finished III, testimony b" said To- the
reporters present
This Investigation IS mainly for thc purpose Of
cutting OF heads Mr.. Mnron- puts "a, questions Ia
such a manner would make the evidence one
sided and docs not civ" w1tncss an opportunity Of
explaining himself. he cuts OH all evidence that
does moi favor his view Of The ease. III" statement
that H. 900 900 foreign made bag are admitted free
Of duty is absurd and otnnot b" supported by firts.
tried eXplhin TO him my testimony before the
Appral. crs. which Wa not H. suited by him. He is
moi fair"
Another voluntary witness treated 10 %
Daniel Magonc's courtesy. lie was James Watson.
an importer. Mr.. Watson was explaining how bag
are made In California, when be wac interrupted hy
Mr. Va gone. who asked
Ever been In californian
No. tc reply.
How do You know. then. II Won haven't been
there
Mr. Watson tried 10 explain how he knew. but lie
Was cut of by the acting chairman With this remark
We'll. pass YOU don'i know anything about H."
william Is. Cunningham. importer for fifteen
-lid that there trustworthy method
OF determining tho difference between the two makes
Of lue bags.