New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
APPRAISER TAKEMAN RETURNS.
DENIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN IRREGU'
LARITTES IN HIS OFFICE. AND SAYS HE
1,or-c >.or, INTEND TO RESIGN.
noes NOT INT

Wilbur f. Wakeman, Appraiser OF tho Port ar
rived in this city yesterday morning after TWO
weeks vacation IN Quincy, Fla, where ne was
with his wife He was seen at his Office In the
Public Stores IN the morning. Regarding 'he az
tacks which have been made on his admhls''a
ton Of the Office Mr.. Wakeman SAID tha' II -
unfortunate that those who criticised MN s"ou'U
have begun while he was away
He declared that he would give the 1uIies' OF
portunity to every one for an investigations ~
said he had not heard much about the a'I"'NS' "'"
that no had not had time to look into them s'0e
his return lie understood that comnhilco ""u
heen Amounted by the Merchants Association ~
,oo, into the DELAYS said to have occurred III I'o
handling of merchandise in the Public store vi
yakeman said he would aid the commute 80
much as he could. and listen TO any susse'''0"
mad TO make. ,,.,.,o,
For the last two months" said Mr. Nakeiha"'
I'VE have had the busiest time the customs au."o'-
dies have ever had. Will not say that the ioI'o
&c insuficlent taking Il all around Du' WIN ,
rush of goods I'm the last two months so"'o "'"'
has been unavoidable. 1870
"As 10 the charge that there nave 80
irregularities in the Civil Service appoint,
de,v absolutely that there have been such' 20
S 90 Lnov, NOT A single man has been APP
,oin,cd ~ 4 laborer and then detailed 10 clerlc"I
work In the great rush lately It Is possip'e
that some men who were doing iaborlhs "oiN
have had 70 take up pen pen or belp out But it
rush WOuu mai any one has been appointed
as iaborer and then as subterfuge asS's"eD ~
WaEeman said that he has not resigned. and
that he had no intention or cong SO tbot Tho Ap
praiser does not have liked term OF o III D. 81"
maj H.. can be removed at any time. ii Ihe -
dent wished 10 remove him. he said al that Is
necessary is to name his successor 1"' ~
done even in recess or congress 49,,
Later in the day Mr.. NaKeh"h i""uo '"' '0
ing formal statement:
~ have lust returned home from two weeks
vacation, the first l have taken since occupying
this Office. Fortunately, my friends were sooo
enough not to send TO me any OF the statements
which have been made regarding the Appraiser
Stores have not had time to glance over mo
papers except the headlines. but can get INC bo"-
eral tenor OF what has been said
Il am trying 10 give to the merchants OF New
York a thoroughly honest and business-hKe al
minstration. ! shall welcome a most thorough H.
vestigation OF the operations OF TINS once III every
respect l will give any committee representing
any organization every facility. consistent with me
rules and regulations OF the Treasury Department.
TO expedite the work OF this Office
"Or course II IS generally known that wherever
We have found differentiation OF imported mer-
chandise We have tried TO correct TINS. ana ooupl-
less there are some who feel aggrieVed AT 'hls
nolcy Congress provided the law which we are
following and II is my duty 20 assist in adhills-
tering the same as IL reads. I bear no ill-wiil
toward those who have made the statements re-
Hectlng on this Department. In fact. am great
believer in the advantages Of criticism, and nave
no doubt that through the criticism which mas
been offered ! may find suggestions which VIII
enable me to improve the administration or ms
office. ., -, ,-a.
II shall read every statement with tho greatest
care which has been made. and II any or thSih
pont 10 Improvement they will be adopted 10y TINS
office | Will thank every merchant or this CITY
who has a grievance. whose goods may DE SOM
what DELAYED TO come to me personally with Inc
same and weak points will be strengthened.
In connection with this would state that me
months have been greater than at any period in
the history United states. and this TACT mas
been tho main cause Of any delays to merchants
welcome the publication Of complaints, ana per
sonallv have no objection to the fullest develop
ment of the operations OF this Office In the news
paper press ] would also say that l have always
received the most generous courtesy from all the
newspapers Of New-York, and wish 10 thank them
for their SUPPORT.