New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-16
NO OPEN HEARINGS.
Request of Importers Denied-Cus-
toms Concessions to Germany.

Washington. Feb. 15-An important confer
ence was held at the White House this afternoon
at which IL was decided that there should not
be open hearings before the board of general
appraisers in cases of contested valuations OF
imported goods.
The conference grew out OF request made by
certain importing interests in New-YoTk through
a committee Of the Merchants Association Of
that city. Importers. particularly of German
goods. desired that the hearings before the board
Of general appraisers should be made public In
their desire they had the support Of the German
government In view Of the fact that the new
maximum and minimum German tariff goes into
effect on March l, and Of the wish Of the German
government that the hearings in contested valu-
alton cases should be open. the conference an
surned international Importance.
Among those present at the conference besides
the President were Secretary Root, Secretary
Shaw, Assistant Secretary Reynolds. President
De Vries and Messrs- Fischer. Waite and Shar-
rets, members Of the hoard OF general apprais-
ers; Mr. Bernhard of Marshall Field & Co. OF
Chicago J. E. Kemp, counsel Of the board OF
appraisers, and Thomas H. Downing. ". ".
Smith and W. E. Mead, OF the Merchants Asso-
citation Of New-York.
The question Of open hearings was considered
in all its phases. It was developed that the
part Of many great importing interests. includ-
there was no demand for open hearings. Mr..
Bernhard said that the enforcement OF the Gus
toms laws and regulations was the least OF the
troubles Of his company, and that II had no more
difficulty about such enforcement than it had
with the enforcement Of the law against murder.
1t was pointed out by Secretary Shaw that the
demand for open hearings came from import
brokers in New-York, and, 10 some extent, from
German merchants who exporters 10 this
country. He explained that under the law and
the treasury regulations the importer was alb
soluteIy protected, as he had right OF appeal 10
the various courts clear UP 10 the United States
Supreme Court
open hearings, and that the board OF general ap-
pralsers should continue 10 handle contested
valuation cases as heretofore.
Although the decision against open hearings IS |
maj, there were other suggestions looking TO the
nodlucatlon Of some Of the more stringent reg
ulatlons OF the customs service which commend
ed themselves strongly 10 the President and Sec
rotary Root and which have been submitted
through Baron SpeCk Won Sternburg, the Ger
man Ambassador, to the German government. At
the conclusion of the conference at the White
House. Secretary Root returned 10 the State
Department, where he held an hours conference
with Baron Sternburg at a part OF
which Baron BussChe-Had denhausen, the first
secretary OF embassy was also informed
that although it had been found iuapracticabla
10 upset the present system of appraising
or TO permit the introduction of testimony and
cross-eXamlnaulon at the hearings, the Wash
ington government was prepared 10 instruct
its agents in Germany 20 cooperate in every
way with the German boards Of rraJA ana
other similar organizations as well as with lead
ing German merchants in the effort TO secure &C
curate information regarding the value Of ex-
ports 10 America This was only one Of several
ways in which il is believed the customs service
can be improved with advantage to German ex-
porters. Baron Won SIernburg sent a long re-
port OF the conference TO his government to-
night and IL is expected that an answer will be
forthcoming within the next few days. Regard
less of any arrangement that may be made in
the mean time the old treaty between the two
countries cannot be continued. but Germany is
DESTROYS, provided that sufficient notifications
OF customs regulations can be assured, Of grant
ing, 50 far as practicable the same concessions
10 American commerce that are granted TO those
countries with which she has reciprocity
treaties, until The Washington government has
further opportunity 10 impress on Congress the
necessity for a reciprocity treaty with Germany