New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-23
CUSTOMS LAW AMENDMENTS.
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE DrsAP-
POINTED AT THE NoN-APPEARANCE or
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS

POINTED AT THE NON-APPEARANCE or
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS
Washington. Jan. % (SpeciaD-The Committee
on Ways and Means was disappointed this morning
by the non-appearance OF Mr. Lesson of Boston. in
whose behalf hearing on the proposed amend
ments of the administrative customs law had been
solicited by Assistant Secretary Hamlin of the
Treasury Department. Mr. Lesson took an active
and intelligent interest in the enactment Of the
original law. and II thought that he might have
some valuable suggestions TO offer in regard to its
amendment. AT least. that was the opinion of As
sistant Secretary Hamlin who. when he came TO
the Capitol after the committee had adjourned. cx-
pressed his surprise that no word had been re-
ceived from Mr.. Lesson, and said that he would
communicate with him by telegraph Among the
letters received by members of the committee ana
included In the record Mr. Payne from
W. Hall Ropes. Of the firm of w. Ropes a. Co. OF
NewYork. which has direct bearing on one OF the
more important propositions before the committee
Among other things he said:
In view of the discussion now going on I'm regard
TO the differentiation of merchandise imported into
the United States. J would call your attention
to recent case in which | was called by
the appraisers as an expert witness The in
voice IN question was one Of Russia crash,
imported into this port October %, 1886 The
INTERPRETATION in this case was very con
siderable. and the penalty should be very large
one. My firm has for sixty years past been the
leading importer Of Russia crash and It is of vital
petition. Should the Secretary Of the Treasury see
would be manifest Injustice to us and other honest
Importers. and would encourage the dishonest ones
try the thing again. would Respectfully sub
nit, therefore. that II any change in the law he
possible the rens sion of penalties be taken out
the hands OF the Secretary OF the Treasury and lie
placed in those of the courts. who will that the
evidence OF bona des Is unassailabe before remit
ting "A penalty. Further. If all penalties bc done
away with. their place, in my opinion should bs
taken by a corresponding increase in the amount
OF duty added to that on an undervalued mporta-
ton.
The committee received from the Government
Printer to-day the bill offered by Mr. Payne ycster-
day, which retains the main features of the Draper
bill and also embodies suggestions made by the
general appraisers.
FOR REGULATING HOURS OF LABOR.
Washington. Jan 22.-Last year the Legislature
OF Massa chusets passed series OF resolutions ask
Ing Congress to pass law regulating the hours of
labor throughout the United States. They
presented 10 the House of Representatives and
ferred 70 the Committee Labor. To-day Repre-
sentative Barrett Rep.. MassD appeared before the
committee and urged favorable action along the
line of the suggestion contained in the resolutions.
After discussing the question. the committee.
motion OF Mr. Walker OF Massachusetts. adopted
the following resolution
Resolved That the resolutions OF the Massachu-
sets Legislature of March IL. 1895. lie the table.
and that the Hon. ~. +. Barrett be requested 10
solicit from the Legislature Of Massachusetts,
form of bill that will accomplish the objects EN-
irared i'm the resolution when enacted into law. and
he I'm pliance with the powers vested In Congress
by The Constitution OF the United States.