The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-05
CARLISLE SAYS NO.
NoRTHPoRT, WASH. WILL FAIL TO
SECURE sANPLING WORKS.
The Decfsfon Was Left to the seere-
tary, and He Has Decided Not to
spend the Money-I.arger Appro-
priation Needed for the Customs
Service on Puget sound.

WASHINGTON. Jan. pecisl.-Secre-
tary Carlisle has set his face strongly
against the provisions OF the act Of the
last congress, which appropriated $500
for the erection and equipment OF saita-
bic buildings as 'samplins works at North
port. Wash: Bonnsr's Ferry. Idaho, and
RI Paso, Tex. The mistake made by The
Washington, Idaho and Texas members,
when they worked through the spIroPria-
ton for the sampling works at the ports
OF entry IN their respective states. was in
permitting the addition OF a provision CIV
ing the secretary of the treasury author
lily 70 build such works or not just as he
might see fit. The result was that after
an investigation by a special agent OF the
treasury department. Secretary Carlisle
saw IL 10 keep the money N the treasury.
In HIS annual report, the secretary
states that an investigation made since
the appropriation shows that the proviso
of the law that not less than one-fifth
OF any importation OF ores imported at
ports at which no facilities for sampling
and assaying are provided, be forwarded
TO ports where such facilities exist, will
involve an outlay so great as TO prevent
strict compliance with the law. Mr..
Carlisle continues;
in view Of this fact no action. beyond
the preparation OF plans and specifica-
tons for the erection OF the necessary
buildings at the ports named. and esti-
mates of the cost OF such buildings, with
their equipment, has been taken by my
direction. Under existing law. the
sampling and assaying of imported ores
are required at the ports OF entry The
practice heretofore has been 10 transmit
samples OF all importst tons OF ores 10 gov
eminent assayers. and upon their reports.
the entries have been liouidated.'
1t has been suggested during the tariff
hearings. now in progress before the ways
and means committee. that If paragraph
ls5. OF the tariff act OF 1894. was amended
in such manner as to allow importations
Of lead-besring ores 70 be forwarded from
the ports OF entry on the warehouse and
transportation bond, to any properly
equipped smelling establishment a con1pe-
tent official could be stationed at each OF
such establishment TO supervise, person
ally the sampling OF ores according 10
commercial methods. and the samples
could be submitted then to a regularly ap-
pointed government assayer. for the pur-
pose OF ascertaining the quantity of lead
contained therein.
IN view of the fact" says Secretary
Carlisle. that about 20 per cent. of ores
imported into this country are consigned
TO bonded and smelling and refining works.
this suggestion meets my approval, and 7
commend ii 10 favorable consideration
Tnis plan would certainly be less expen-
slNe than the transportation of one-fifth
or each Importation TO one of the norris
having the necessary facilities, as above
set forth"
A suggestion has also been made that the
administrative difficulties inherent in the
present law would disappear. proviae,5 ali
imported ores containing lead sho1,Id he
subject to the same duty. whether or No,
tne lead or other substances in the ore
chieiiy silver, constitute the greater yaiue
or the mass Under the present Iaw
whether the duty on imported ore can
tanning lead shall be levied bv ann,ying
the lead rate, = OF cent per pound IN
the whole weight of the ore. or only ON
the "elgnt or the lead contained In the
mass or ore, depends upon whether the
value OF the lead is greater or less tb.n
the ore. S'7'ADoeS IN
This ascertainment." saws Seere,sr,,
Cariisie, is most difficult. involving costly
sampling works and a large numher -.
employees. The inducements held ont IN
Irauo' IL would seem. are also many. The
pan suggested. however. would not be
equi,ao,e 20 all importers OF ores contain
ING iead, Tor the reason that the nerrent
age Of lead contents In Unmarried nros
varies largely. often ranging from % per
cent. 70 60 per cent. or over, acrordinp ~
the location OF the mines, some ores heinz
rich in lead and others containing only
a comparatively small percentage Of that
metal An unjust discrimination would he
tne result OF the adoption OF plan pro-
Viding for uniform tariff on all imported
ores without regard to their COMPONENT
ingredients"
general reorganization OF customs dis
trIcts mas been recommended TO congress
ny Secretary Carlisle. His report shows
that IN numerous districts there Is little
or no business The secretary's declara-
ton that necessity exists for such re-
orga nization as viii insure a more eoo-
nomical administration In The collection
or revenue from customs does not apnlv
IN any way 20 the district ~ washington
necessity exists there for a larger an
preparation and increased clerk hire. and
II commission Is appointed In tonf3rm-
ity 10 the suggestion of the secretary for
the purpose OF taking into consideration
the needs OF the service and preDa ring n
plan OF reorganization. the Puget Sound
district viii receive attention ia this re-
gard.
The large number Of applicants for the
position or collector Of customs -snHer the
Republican administration that e. 70 he
win he interested In knowing that Secre-
tary Carlisle is doing what he can to have
a fixed salary paid 20 all collectors. instead
OF commissions, fees and egn0luments.
Many difficulties are continually experi-
snced ny the officers charged with The
enforcement Of the Chinese exclusion laws.
but with few exceptions their duties have
been performed 40 far with prompiness
and in An effcient manner The super
vising special agent Of the treasury de-
partment states that Daring TIE past year
5ffs Chinese persons APPLIED FOR admission
70 this country. a considerable number ~
whom desired 20 enter at Fuget Sound
ports. or the total number $50 were al
mitted. l52l were in transit 70 other coun-
tries and as were rejected. TIE treasury
department. has now recommended 10 con-
eress that the existing law should De 80
amended as TO provide saftahis penalties
IN cases where fraudulent affidavits are
made before nctsries pablic In the prepa-
ration OF pspers upon which claims are
made for the admission 20 this country %
Chinese persons slle9ed 70 he entitled 20
that riEht In one Instance q person was
arrested for perjury and his discharge
WAS ordered by the United States com
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