New-York tribune., 1901-03-10
COURTESIES OF THE PORT.
THE ABUSE OF THE CUSTOM LEADS SEC
RETARY GAGE TO ISSUE AN ORDER
AGAINST 1T.
AGAINST 1T.

People who have crossed the ocean on steam
ers landing at New-York have noticed that
some Of the passengers on board the ocean
liners We're exempt from the inconveniences and
loss Of time which are necessary to the baggage
examination system When the customs officers
boarded the vessel every passenger received a
blank on which he made his declaration as to
what was contained in his trunks bags and
boxes on which duty should he paid lie made
oath to the correctness of his statement and
then received 4 card which landing he handed
to an Inspecting officer. Mr.. Passengers effects
We're carried from the steamer by the porters
and placed on the pier in the section marked p
Mrs. Tourists goods We're piled up among the
Is Miss EXcursionist had no difficulty in find
ing her trunks where the other Es were placed
and in due time keys were produced locks
opened and the inspector holding the declaration
examined the baggage and if it was found to
contain nothing more than what was mentioned
in the declaration marked ii 50 that it might be
taken away.
While this was Soing and while the new
arrival was wondering whether the goods which
had not been declared would be discovered and
while in some Instances he was doing slight O.
hand tricks with gold coin or slipping Il
business card into the hand of the Inspector,
simply 10 show that there hard feeling
and to let the man know where he might buy
4 piece Of JeweIry. or coat, a set Of false
teeth if he needed them. Mr.. District Leader
and Mes. Moneyman and number Of others
who came on the same steamer Joined their
waiting friends and drove away with their bag
gage without having opened a trunk or box In
answer to the inquiries OF the people VINO had TO
wait and go through all the forms. ceremonies
ana expense OF landing their wares it was
usually said that the favored ones had the
courtesies of the port extended to them by the
Custom House officials.
Tho courtcsies' consisted OF instructions from
the Collector TO expedite the examination of the
fay ored passengers baggage but the inspector
usually took the liberty to 80 several steps be
yond his Instructions by passing" the belong
inss without examination. In this way thous-
ands OF pieces of baggage came into port duty
free. and the courtcsies of the port became
goal towards which many tourists sailed.
The fact that Secretary Gage has issued an
order abolishing the custom shows that it's
abuse has been recognized By the government.
The order. which issued March D. says
that the demand for such courtesies has
stanty grown In extent and the practice has
afforded justifable ground for protest against
its discrimination between private citizens"
The department also recognizes the fact that the
practice has had effect the revenue. II
the new rules are carried out by the Custom
House officials special courteses' will no longer
be extended To many people who. from custom
have learned 10 look upon pass through the
Custom House their right
Secretary Cages order says that foreign
ambassadors, ministers. charges daffairs.
taries of legation and high commissioners will
be extended special cOurtesrs' Similar cOurte-
sizes will also be extended TO representatives of
this government returning from their missions
All the above officers are entitled 10y internal
tional usage to the free entry of the baggage
and effects of themselves their families and at
tendants without examination.
In addition to these exceptions the order
names the following cases where special courte-
sizes may be granted: To such high officials of
foreign governments as shall be the subjects OF
special instructions from this department. To
invalids and their companions to persons arriv-
ing in charge of their dead or summoned home
in haste 10y news of afflictiOn disaster special
cOurtesies may be extended whenever authority
in each case has been received from the de
partnent. No requests for special courtcsies will
hereafter be granted except under the above
conditions.