Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-23
SOME THINGS TO CONDEMN
Investigation of the Appraisers Stores at
New York.
Report of the Com issisn of Special
Agents Submitted to the Trea-
sury Department.

The commission composed of Special
Agents George w Whitehead George w
Maher and Burton Parker, appointed by
the Secretary of the Treasury to investigate
charges of maladministraton of the APP
praiser's stores at New York has submitted
its first report.
While the officials of the department state
that the details of the report win not be
made pubic at present, it is understood that
certain charges preferred by Einstein, Wolff
& Co, Hoffman. Huber G. Co. William My
er & Co and Loeb & Schoenfeld, who are
among the largest and most important of
the manufacturers of embroideries and
laces at st. Gall, Switzerland, all having
houses established in the United States,
form the basis of the investigation thus far
made. The charges referred to in eff
feet that there has been discrimination, in
consistency and delay in the appraisement
of the merchandise of certain importers and
that methods not contemplated by law
have been resorted to in fixing dutiable
values.
incidentally other matters connected with
the appraisers office We're considered and
reported upon by the commission. The re-
port, which is quite long and accompanied
by several hundred pages of testimony,
shows that the investigation was most thor
ough and impartial.
The commission finds that Appraiser
Wakeman has administered the affairs of
his office in an energetic manner, and that
he has been governed by honesty Of purpose.
The opinion is expressed that consigned
goods have not paid their full measure of
duties at the custom house: that invoices
of that character afford fruitful field for
officers who are on the alert to detect and
prevent undervaluations. and that no mis-
take made when the subject of en-
broideries from ST. Gall, involving imports of
the value of s7,OO0o00 annually. paying 60
per cent advalorem duty, was taken up for
consideration.
Bad Methods.
But the commission condemns the meth
DDS of appraisement in vogue during the
early part of 1898 as improper. Appraise-
ments under section II of the customs adj
ministrative act by taking the selling
prices in the United States as basis for
appraisement is declared to be the direct
cause of the complaints made. The view Is
expressed that the letter of instructions ad-
dressed by the department to appraistns
officers March g. 1898, authority cited by
Appraiser Wakcman in justification of his
action is broader in scope than section IL
itself, because of the direction given such
officers to apply the section mentioned to
all merchandise subject to al valorCm
duty, while, in the opinion of the commits
sion. the law is applicable only when the
dutiable value cannot be otherwise aGcer-
tanned. St. Gall goods having Il Il arket
value in the country whence exported to
the United States. appraisement on any
other basis. or to take into consideration
selling prices in this country, was without
authority of law.
1t appears to be established that, through
faulty and inconsi3erate methods of APP
praiscment, Inconsistencies and Irregular
tiles in valuation have occurred the result
of which seems to justify the belief eX-
pressed in the charges alleging unjust dis
elimination.
Specific evidence was obtained in many
instances TO sustain the charge of unrca-
souable delay 1t is shown that after hear
ing both sides to the controversy. entrees
invoices. &c, were examined, and from
them alone were the facts determined. This
silent testimony demonstrates that goods
of certain importers were in instances
largely advanced on appraisement. while
similar goods of other importers were pass
ed as invoiced.
An Assistant Appraisers Fault.
The report states that an assistant APP
praiser has exposed invoices of one i'm
porter to a c}mpetitor in business, and that
the same officer has in other ways violated
the rules of the department by disclosing
the secrets of business concerning which
he gained a knowledge through his official
position.
The commission does not agree with the
contention that it is a violation Of law for
Mr.. Wakeman to hold both the office of ap-
praiser and that of secretary of the Amer
lean Protective Tariff League. In the Opin-
ion of the commission Mr.. Wakeman is not
engaged in any. commercial or mercantile
business Wltnln the meaning OF the statute,
but his connection with the organization re-
ferred to while holding the office of ap-
praiser involves a question of propriety
which it is not the province of the commits
soa TO decide, especially as his appointment
to the office of appraiser was made. it is
assumed with full knowledge of all the
facts.
The manner in which the inquiry has
been handled by the commission is COM
mended by Secretary Gage and Assistant
Secretary Spauiding. both of whom are
much interested, they desire the bust
ness of the department, in all its branches,
to be conducted in an absolutely impartial
manner.
There are other matters which are under
consideration by the commission, and
further report will from time to time be
made. 1t is believed that the result of the
inquiry in progress will prove beneficial
alike to the department and to importers