The morning call., 1894-07-11
TWO NEW VESSELS
They May Be Added to
Our Revenue Force.
Assistant Secretary hamlln Talks
About Needed Additions Notice.
able in the Service Here.

EAssistant Secretary of the Treasury
Charles F. Hamln is guest at the Palace,
having but recently returned from trip
to the southern portion Of the State,
where he spent some time in looking into
the condition of our revenue service, es-
peciaily along the Mexican border.
Mr.. Hamlin states that one of the most
important results OF his observations was
the opportunities for smuggling he dis
covered 10 exist along the border. The
force of United States officials is entirely
inadequate to per form the duties required
of them in a satisfactory manner, and Mir.
Hamlin will recommend that it be ma
terally increased. The officers, be says,
are very efficient. and all they require is
larger force and better boats. AT present
they only have rowboat for service, and
the requirements of the situation so i'm
pressed themselves upon Mr.. Hamlin's
mind that he te autographed Senator White
to see if an apr opriation could not be put
through this session for steam barge in
that locality.
As to matters nearer home, Mr.. Hamlin
said that he hoped in the spring TO send
the revenue cutter Perry around the Horn
to this port. The Perry is sister ship to
the Grant. and is one of the best boats in
the service.
The Secretary thinks that this coast is
entitled to a new cutter and also board
ing boat to take the place of the Hartwell.
The first, he said, would probably cost
about S175.000 and the latter about $4,000
There should alsn, he thought. be launch
here. which would cost about $4,000, for
service around the bay and up and down
the coast.
While Mr.. Hamlin did not say that it
was his intention to recommend these i'm
portant additions to the marine service
here, the inference drawn from his re-
marks was that he would pursue that
course.
When asked directly if any changes
were under contemplation in the Custom
house Mr.. Hamlin said that no action
would be taken in that direction until after
the report of the special agent had been
received, when the officials would consider
the matter together.
Monterey, he said, should have COL
lector and inspector stationed there, while
at present there is no official, and other
points along the coast impressed him as
being in need of a material STRENGTHENING
IN force.
To-day Mr.. Hamlin will meet a dele
CATION from the Oakland Board of Trade
regarding proposition TO make a separate
port of that city from San Francisco.
uo ululSiidbUU IL iUuCu lulCICSlbu
in the Western coast" said the Secretary,
land it was for the purpose of ascertain
ing the needs of the service that made
the trip here"
Friday Mr.. Hamlin goes to Portland.
and he will take the cutter Rush from
Port Townsend. probably, for Alaska as
soon as he has made certain investiga-
tions at the frst-named port. He will
visit Victoria and Vancouver to look into
the consular seal question, and will also
give his attention TO the smuggling which
is said to prevail to large extent in the
north. Another matter which will absorb
some of his time will be that of the pro-
posed establishment of an ore-sampling
works on the border. The Mckinley bill
con tanned provision for the erection of
such a plant, and the Wilson bill also pro-
vides for the same purpose. 1t is believed
that much ore is shipped into this country
under an estimate far below its actual
grade, aud the sampllng works is devised
to provide for just such emergencies
Mr.. HamlinSs only few years over 80,
and although one Of the youngest men in
the administration departments, is reputed
to be one of its strongest constituent parts.