New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-25
SH1W At PUBLIC STORES.
Docs Not See Dir. SOmeyTiUe-No
Quarrel, He SauS.

A visit OF three hours duration which Leslie NJ
Shaw Secretary Of the Treasury. made the Public
Stores. IN this city yesterday excited the curiosity
OF officials there all the because Of the recent
criticism OF Mr.. Shaw By Henderson NJ soner-
Vile, one OF the United States General Appraisers
whose rooms the ninth floor OF the building
Mr.. Shaw spent nearly the whole time OF his visit
the ninth floor, and took luncheon with some Of
Mr. Someryiiles associates, but did not see Mr.
somerviIe. who remained in his room
Mr.. Shaw said:
The department would never dream OF attempt
Ing TO influence the decisions OF the Board OF Gen
eTal Appraisers.
There was some comment at the Public Stores
on the fact that tho Secretary seemed 70 assume
that Mr. somervilIe had not attacked him person
ally. but merely criticised the lawyer who had
acted as counsel FOR the government in the rupee
mentioned the Secretary nv mama and contrasfsS
his administration with that OF his predecessors
curing tho fourteen years OF 50 since the board
There are persistent rumors In customs circles
that there may uo "a Congress investigation unless
tho friction between the Treasury Department and
tho Board of General Appraisers shall come 10 an
end. Tho board Is part Of the Treasury Depart
ment, but some OF the senior members especially
assert That IT, functions strictly judicial, and
that 10 Is completely independent Of the Secretary
snd subject only 90 tho authority Of the United
Later Secretary Shaw. feen at the Fifth Avenue
noe, SsssFtse Ilat 20 quarrel existed between
srioved by th fe1artreit in a.sr ps 4ilr
cuces that arc constantly arising between .nnpcrters
and the collectors at the various ports. that the
department had ~ tine attempted to control
the decisions OF the board.
Being asked 70 explain the position Of the de-
Tartmeut ia ordering the reiquiGatOu Of certain
entries Of imported merchandise on the basis OF
higher value foE the Indian rupee than 2o7 cents
as ns-crtaiued by tho Director % the Mint tho
Secretary said: Under an act OF Congress the
Director 81 the Mint determines the metal value
our money ~ all foreign coins once every three
months. on January T. April Il, July and October
l OF each year and tho schedule Is reported 20 the
Secretary n the Treasury, who proclaiTs IT, That
proclamation NJ of that date Is Anal Taking into
account the possible fluctuations in the value Of
the foreign coins. the law also provides that II
Secretary OF the Treasury shall md. from evidence
before him that there Is variation from the value
named in tho determination OF the Director OF the
Mint OF 10 per cent. be shall order tho collector
TeIQuidate accordingly. 1t will be obvious that Il
a yard OF cloth the unit OF any commodity sub
ject 10 an al val1rem duty entered AZ DIT
cents. or tho metal value Of rupee certain
date, actually cost the importer 3Z1 cents in the
currency fl question. the government would be the
loser b. differentiation.
The government contends that the decision Of
tue Secretary OF the Treasury IN acting upon the
facts before him and fixing the value of the rupee
under the express provision Of the law, - not sub
jcct review. II Is cOutenfed that this is the
crciEc Of authority expressly conferred 90 conserve
tho interests Of the government IN fits eNuctou Of
al valorem duties. This was the position taken by
the United states District Attorney. Tho court
held otherwise