The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-02-03
HARRISON TO CONGRESS.
His Conclusions on Canadian
Bond Transit.
ARTICLE 20 oFTREATY ABRoeATGD.

THE Presidost Maintain, that Even " II
Restraints Upon the United statea Ise-
vision oc Existing Laws Urged.
WAsHUGroN, Feb. S-The President
has sent in his message TO Congress on
the Canadian bond transit question.
He begins 10y quoting the House reso-
lution requesting him to inform the
House if not Incompatible with the pub
lie interests, what regulations are in
force concerning the transportation of
imported merchandise, in bond or duty
paid, and products OF manufacturers of
the United States from one port in
the United States over Canadian terri
tory to another port therein; whether
further legislation thereon is necessary
on advisable, and especially whether n
careful inspection OF such merchandise
should not be had at the frontiers of
the United States upon the departure
and arrival of such merchandise, and
whether the interests Of the United
States do not require that each car con
tanning such merchandise, while in Can
adian territory, be under the surveillance
OF an inspector OF the customs depart
meut, the cost OF such surveillance 90 be
paid by the foreign carrier transporting
such merchandise.
The President arrives at the following
conclusions:
First, tbat article 20 of the treaty Of
Washington has been abrOgated.
Second, that even if this article were
In force there is no law in force to exc
cute it,
Third, that when in force the treaty
imposed no obligation upon the United
States 60 use the concessions and no limi-
tation upon the powers Of the Unitei
States in dealing with merchandise i'm
ported for the use Of our citizens through
Canadian ports, or passing from one
place ia the United States to another
through Canada, upon the arrival Of such
merchandise at our border.
Fourth, that, therefore, treaty or no
treaty, the question of sealing cars con
tanning such merchandise, and the treat
ment of such sealed cars when they
cross our border, is, and always has been,
Que to be settled by our laws, according
so our convenience and our interests, as
we may see them.
Fifth, that the law authorizing the seal
ing OF cars in Canada, containing foreign
merchandise imported from contiguous
country, does not apply to merchandise
imported by our own people from coun-
tries not contiguous and carried through
Canada for delivery to such owners.
Sixth, that tho law did not contem-
plate the passing OF sealed cars TO any
place not Il port" nor the delivery of
such cara to the owner or consignee to be
opened by HIM without the supervision of
. revenue officer
Seventh, That the practice is inconsist-
ent with the safety of The revenue.
The statutes relating to the transpor-
tation of merchandise between the
United States and the British possessions
should be the subject of revision. The
Treasury regulations have given to these
laws construction and a scope that l
do not think was intended by Congress.
A policy adapted to the new conditions
growing in pare QUO of the construction
Of the Canadian Pacific Railroad should
be declared, and the business placed on
a basis more just to our people and to
our transportation companies
If we continue the policy Of supervis-
ing rates and requiring that they shall be
equal and reasonable, upon the railroads
OF the United States, we cannot in fair
ness give these unusual facilities for COM
petition to Canadian roads that are free
to pursue the practices as to cut rates
and favored rates that we condemn and
punish if pracJised by our own railroads.
/ regret that circumstances prevented
an earlier examination by me of these
questions, but submit now these views
ia the hope that tney may lead to re-
vision of the laws upon sGfer and juster
basis.
l transmit herewith the correspondence
with the Secretary of the Treasury and
the Attorney General on some phases Of
this question. BENJAMIN HARRISON.