New-York tribune., 1899-07-11
APPRAISERS OFFICE INQUIRY.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON CHARGES
MADE BY TOBACCO IMPORTERS.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON CHARGES
MADE BY TOBACCO IMPORTERS.
Washington July 1o-The Secretary Of the Treas
ury has received report from the Commission
engaged in the investigation of methods in the Ap-
pralser's Department at New-York concerning the
charges and complaints of importers OF tobacco
The report is long and is accompanied by several
hundred pages OF testimony. The importers charge
that through the action OF incompetent examiners
aller tobacco dutiable at 81 cents pound, has
been classified as wrapper az 81 s. a pound; that
the higher rate has been assessed on small per
centages Of wrapper found in bales Of filler with
out authority OF law; that improper methods OF eN
animation have caused injury 10 bales OF tobacco
and consequent loss 70 importers and that ex-
cessive samples have been taken and retained oy
appraising officers and used 10 make cigars.
The Commission reports that 1888 bales OF to-
bacco OF all grades were imported al NeW-fork III
ne fiscal wear ended June 80. 1899 OF which guam
titv 5sS2 bales were entered filler and 2l,lA as
wrapper On appraisement 1857 bales entered as
filler were assessed for duty as wrapper, ana LUIS
bales were returned by the appraiser as contain
ing nercentages OF wrapper less than 10 per cent
each.
As 70 the charges OF incompetency It appears
that none Of the special examiners named oy the
importers are now In the customs service. IL i
stated as 70 one OF these examiners VINO was TEN
norartly on duty at New-York for some months
los, wear that larger number Of his returns pro-
nor,ionatelv have been reversed by the Board OF
General Appraisers than in the case OF any other
axsn,,nAr ennployed at New-YOrk under the opera
ton ~ the present Tariff law. Assessing wrapper
rate On small percentages IL found to be the direct
cause or MANY complaints against the appraiser
n IN the opinion OF the Commission the oaie was
regarded as the unit for assessment OF duty, one
., m. principal sources OF friction would disap-
pear.
The Commission finds that the casing OF ear
,obacco Is the cause Of serious complaints Inroush
the method OF casing and because or the careiess
renacking OF public store bales importers nave
,,r,s-ed losses cigars have been made in the
,,huc stores 10 determine whether the leaf was
=, for ursDper II is believed that the statements
as 70 the quantity Of cigars made and as 10 ther
d,s,ribution have been exaggerated. out II Is con-
cluded that more made than were necessary
IN any tass required in the interest OF the revenue
A ctearuaker is on the rolls OF the AppralseS
rsnertu,.nt appointed as laborer. Tne opinion Is
.,n-as.ed b,, the Commission that appraising Off
GERS are not altogether Tesponsioie I0r tS ~,
fortunate situation as L exists ~ rs oetle'M M 'e &
tba Inevi-able result or administering tne ldN
iatng 10 leaf tobacco, as now consuueq, IL - ~,
,,oIvs severe and often unmerited criticism ol aP-
PtTb 6SrectIce O, transferring examiners from one
nor, 20 another and the assignment .! 80
1nrt, in the country. under the dlrecSlo "a ~
hDnraiser at New-Y York. Is discussed al. -,
opinion Is expressed that W. L. ~ mssndirg an expert
~ ne revenue has resulted from neu!t+H i,,-Sa
examiner OF tobacco 70 ports WIZ wiz, e-,rovr,erf
bnsness does not warrant me peItnd, ~ hsv
~ ofHcers OF that class, stl the pl .eaCr, 10
oI l..ooe,si,in0 examiners re-eXamine tooaCco r.
- 49,. ot,sed a. interior ports, ana HhI."
80 been examined and appraised az es', - ~
t-S bas often caused annoyance arlu lVss Ji ~ i,b
oOdIu ..IhroJigb damage by frequent hannlHs WI"
po' p ble benefit 70 the Government