The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-30
SEC. SHAW
LISTENS TO
PROTESTS

Boston. Dec. 3o.-Iesiie NJ Shaw, secre-
tary of the treasury. yesterday heard the
complaints OF Boston merchants on the
subject OF the order revoking the long
time privilege OF obtaining imported goods
shortly after they have arrived at this
port. This privilege was made possible
by the use of the release bond" I'm
porters have been permitted to remove
their invoices without waiting for the
appraisers 10 examine all OF IL and TO
levy the duty
AS a result of representations made to
him at Washington, with reference TO the
revocation or this policy the change hay-
ing gone into effect about a fortnight ago
Secretary Shaw decided to come 10 Bos-
ton 10 hear In person the arguments for
ana against the new order. More than
hundred importers were present at the
custom house when Secretary Shaw open.
ed the hearing
President William III. Lincoln OF the
chamber of commerce introduced Attor-
ney Charles Hamlin, who represents the
chamber. Mr.. Hamlin protested against
the atrogatlon OF the release bond"
privilege. He termed the revoking order
as unjust discrimination. since none OF
the other important ports In the country
is threatened with such regulation. Under
the release bond. he said. importers are
enabled 10 procure their importations. or
so per cent OF them. by giving TO the gov
bond" representing a sum double the
value OF the goods
If the remaining goods do not corre-
spond TO the specifications in the bond
the bond itself is forfeited. Mr.. Hamlifl
pointed out that 40 possible loss TO the
government ensues. What the importers
feared Yves a regulation doing away en-
tlrely with this procedure. and the sub
stitution of a practice which would call
for the LIQUIDATION Of the entire Invoice
before the goods were allowed 10 pass out
OF the appraisers store. This would Oc-
casion a loss of from seven 10 ten days in
point Of time. much inconvenience and a
money loss which could not be estimated.
WILL HAVE MORE CLERKS.
After all who wished To speak had been
heard, Secretary Shaw said.
IF you open any OF these packages re-
leased by giving a bond, according TO
law. that bond is forfeited. Under the
laws. "a collector can take nothing but
money for the goods, and II he takes a
bond IL is an offence"
Mr. Hamlin interrupted with:
Did not Mr.. Sherman authorize a re-
lease bond?"
"Oh, no." replied Mr.. Shaw. Under the
release bond a merchant could take his
goods away and substitute others inside
OF 10 days and the bond would then be
worthless
1--WE know OF fraudulent goods brought
INTO the port or Boston and then shipped
elsewhere Because an examination has
been held inquiring into the affairs of this
port. IL Is no reflection on Boston more
than any other city. II there are any
rats in the barn we desire To catch them.
The time 10 do things is when you have
them I'm your hands. and likewise with the
Custom House officials When they
have the invoices In their hands, they
can wind up the whole business within a
few hours. IL they cannot do this under
the present system, It is because OF lack
of clerical hire and we will have more
clerks
II do not see wherein Boston is so
very badly Off. for In New York they han
die more goods day after day than you do
here in months. There has been some
fault found with the retiring of our spe-
cial agents, but | want you To understand,
gentlemen, that II is no reflection on the
city OF Boston.