New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-16
BAGGAGE EXAMINATION.
Impro0ed System to Greet Home
coming Steamship PASSENGERS.

Washington. July 15.-Secrerary Cortelyou an
nounced to-day that method OF baggage ex-
animation will be IN operation in time to greet the
Homecoming European traveller this season and
that ii will be radical change from the present
system Soon after assuming Office Mr. Cortelyou
decided that the Objectionable and embarrassing
features Of the examinations should be done away
with so far as possible within existing law and
that the comfort and convenience of the passen-
ger should have more attention. Acting under his
instructions Assistant Secretary Reynolds has
worked out the details of the new system which
VIII take effect the necessary arrange
ments can be made, which. IT is expected, will be
about August 10
There are two features IN connection with the
present examination OF passengers baggage that
are especially the subject Of complaint by the trav
cling public. one is the herding Of all the pas
scngers IN the cabin of the steamship on the last
hour OF the trip in order 10 have declarations made
before q customs officer. Such declarations, made
in the rush and confusion that mark the end OF
the voyage. are unsatisfactory 10 the government
officials and a certain source Of annoyance 10 the
passenger. The other feature is the oath that has
been required when the declaration Is made. which
involves compelling the passenger to swear to what
diately thereafter searching his baggage 70 see
whether or not he has told the truth under oath
Secretary C0rtelyou believes that these two feat
uFes can De eliminated with no marin 10 t!e reve-
nues and no danger 70 government interests
The new system viii change this. Declarations
Will be distributed 10 the passengers IN the early
by them at their leisure, The declaration will be
simple and straightforward. containing nothing
complicated or mysterious. and its instructions will
tell the passenger TO put down the different articles
acquired by him while abroad, together with their
cost or value Some time before the last day OF
the voyage these declarations VIII be collected by
some officer OF the ship. who VIII be held respon-
s!be by the steamship company and the depart
Inent for seeing that such written statement IS
received from each passenger. When the customs
officers board the ship IN the harbor deputy col
lector Will collect all the declarations made out
from the steamship officer and deliver them n the
chief representative OF the surveyor on the pier
When the declaration is given 10 the steamship
officer a coupon Will be handed 20 the passenger
which VIII be his receipt and will contain the
same official number the declaration. After the
baggage is landed and properly placed the pier
ready for customs Inspection the passenger VIII
present this coupon 10 the proper representative OF
the surveyor. obtain the services OF an inspector
who VIII examine his baggage and verify the
declaration previously made by him board ship.
No oath Of any kind or character Will be required
The steamship companies. It Is said Will CO.
operate heartily with the department in carrying
out the system.