The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-11
THE APPRAISERS INQUIRY.
REPoRT on THE COMPLAINTS OF
IMPORTERS or TOBACCO.


,ne of tho Things Complained or Are tho
Fault of the Law MS commandments
Samples, 1t Is said, Have Been Retained
by Appraising Onicors to Mako Cigars.
WAsHISGruS. July 1O.-The Secretary Of the
reasury has received report from the com
isson engaged In tho investigation OF
,ethoI- in tho Appraisers Department in New
ork concerning the charges and complaints
importers OF tobacco. The report Is accom-
,nied by several hundred pages OF testimony
no importers charge ~ that through tho
rtion OF incompetent examiners filler tobacco.
utlabe at 80 cents per pound. has been cassi-
ed "a wrapper at 81 80 per pound; t2l that
;hr higher rate has been assessed on
,uall percentages OF wrapper found in bales
filler. without authority OF law; 80
lat improper methods OF examination nave
auscd injury to bales Of tobacco and conse-
qucnt loss to importers. and - that excessive
amplcs have been retained BY appraIsng OIL
,rrs AMI used to mako cigars The commits
ion reports that 1888 bales ~ tobacco OF all
grades were imported at New York during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1870. OF which guam
t,y .G9O2 ladies' were entered as filler and
..I13I IA wrapper. On appraisement 1.O07
lies entered as Nnr were assessed for duty
., wraIpcr and l.OlS bales were returned by
tile Appraiser az containing percentages Of
g. wrappor less than 10 per cent. each. The
Elections during the perioi mentioned were
y ,.aIver. SS.,S4 2il; illler Sl.i44,Sl9: illler
Y ,rmmed. SEt.lt; total. 50. lDIi.3Ud.
\, ~ the charges of Incompetence. it appears
'Hat uyuo uI tho special examiners named by
10 importers are now in the customs service.
- stated AS to one OF these exam ners. who
fl- tomI utarly on duty at New York for some
,ntl- last year. that a larger number Of his
" the Board ct General Appraisers than in the
rui any other examiner employed at New
of "a ri
assessing wrnrper rate on small percentages
found to b" the direct cause of many COM
ANTS against the Arpralser, although his
ton is in conformity with u Treasury deci-
he IPssiom inH2Iyed Is in mex tTs penidinG
lite commission. tho bales were regarded as
pee unit for assessment OF duty, one OF the
r.ucIual sources Ot friction would disappear.
In, tho colDeetlDn OF wrapper rate on a small
lr.reutage Of tht contents OF bale. recurring
image is iutiaDlc at the higher rate. will In
u.r.. il continuance OF protests. charges OF in
.umu"lcury aud Of complaints arising from the
The prcSlleir OF the New England Tobacco
owns Association is quoted as saying that
ne Treasury ruling on the 10 per cent. pro-
sion in the law practically wiped out that
DIVISION which was Intended to draw the line
tween wrpSr a"d 5isT esieS ., Th ,,6sano
method often adopted by the appraising Of
as in determining whether or not the leaf Is
uints II ia shown that n case filler. while
furious unless the tobacco received careful
,tent,on, will not destroy it for commercial
VrpOsr, uut the same process Will destroy
rapr"r leaf absolutely unless the tobacco is
rerared for immediate use. Through the
packing OF public store bales, importers
, ave suffered losses Cigars have been
n1e the tbs sOe W9g 1T for
per and also to demonstrate the burn
ng quality OF tho goods 1t is believed that
hade and as to their distribution have been
Exaggerated. but it is concluded that more
.equired In the interest OF the revenue. A
elgarmaker IS on the rolls OF the Appraiser 4
department. appointed as a laborer The opln-
TN Is expressed by the commission that ap-
aising officers are not altogether responsible
the unfortunate situation as II exists; that
alt OF administering the law relating to leaf
,bacco. as now construed. is to involve severe
nd often unmeritsd criticism Of appraisine
The view is expressed that no merchant will
Jng permit the government to destroy or ma
ehandlse. In an effort TO fl K the rate and amount
Otduty to be assessed, without his giving voice
tlprotest in no uncertain tone. The injustice
II the proceeding on appraisement is often
Increased. conceded. as It is. that when the i'm
Iorter avails himself Of the privileges Of the
J t-ief before the Board OF General Appraisers
he damaGeto his property is at least doublec
Subjected as that portion tested in the origna
Epnratsement cannot again be used for CASING
nd by the further fact that duty 10 eXactec
Iron the portions thus destroyed or injured.
The practice of transferring examiners from
tne port TO another and the assignment OF spe
sial examiners to duty in the field" VISITING
arous ports in the country under the direction
the Appraiser at New York is discussed. ant
he opinion is expressed that while In instance
,enctt to the revenue has resulted from send
Nc an expert examiner OF tobacco to port
here the volume Of business does not warran
!" permanent employment Of officers of tina
ass, still that the practice OF havinR travelling
NaminerS reGXamne tobacco re-ware housed
tInterior ports. and which has already beef
ydmined and appraised at the seaboard. ha
ten caused annoyance and loss to importers
hrOugh damage by frequent handling. with H.
lpTeciable benefit to the Government.