Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-04


96.7 per cent of the value of all dutiabie
imports from the United States, and that
the saving In duties upon these imports
last year amounted to 100000 marks;
With an increase of trade the saving Will
be correspondingly greater. And that Is
what DR.. North and his associate COM
missioners secured in exchange for a reduc-
tfon of 20 per cent of the duties imposed
by the Dingley act upon wines, oil paint
ings and the sediment in wine watts
But this concession was of no Importance
to the Germans and 1t would not have been
effective, but for the anxiety of their man
ufacturers who are exporting goods to the
United States, to secure modification of
ou- customs regulations which, in several
respects have been bitterly complained of,
not only by Germany, but by the manufac-
turers of France. Belgium, Italy and other
missioners assented to the notifications de-
manded so far as they could do so within
the terms of the law and their concessions
will prevent continual irritation, bring the
customs methods of the United States into
more general harmony with those of~the
rest of the world and relieve them from
constant criticism and complaint which the
commissioners believe to be just and we'll
founded These concessions were made
without impairing the protection extended
by our laws to American capital and labor,
or affecting the revenues Of the govern
ment or letting down any bars against
differentiation or other frauds. Neverthe-
less few radical, high-tarif fanatics have
already protested and are making a.terrible
betrayal of American Industries
Objectionable Customs Practices.
The first and one of the most important
concessions made by the American COM
missioners is the abolition of star-chamber
hearings by the board of appraisers in New
York city. They have a habit Of trying
cases without allowing the accused persons
to be present to cross-examine witnesses,
or to give evidence themselves, or to con-.
front their accusers. Indeed. these methods
of the Spanish inquisition have been adopt
ed to such an extent that an importer ac-
cused of attempting to defraud the govern
ment has not even been allowed to know
what charges have been made against him,
or who made them, or what evidence has
been offered to sustain them, or even when
they were tried. Hearings have been secret
and have been conducted in a manner that
Is in violation of the Constitution and re-
pugnant to American institutions and to the
sense of honor that demands a square deal.
The reasons offered in defense of the star
chamber methods are that informefs will
not give evidence except in secret, for fear
of retaliation. and that excuse Is offensive
to the sense of propriety and fair play. If
the same system were applied to our police
authorities we would drop back into the
middle ages. Everybody who believes in
fair play will commend the American COM
missioners for recommending that the rules
of the Spanish inquisitfon be abolished In
our customs service.
The commission also conceded the de-
mands that special agents of the treasury
sent to Germany by our government shall
be duly accredited to the German govern
ment. Just as our consuls are accredited.
This will not curtail their usefulness. The
United States is the only government which
sends detectives into friendly countries
without the permission or knowledge of
those governments. and If Germany should
do the same to us we would consider 1t an
insult, Our people would not stand it for a
ypfnnfd These onacia4 hava worked
secretly like detectives to obtain evidence
concerning the value and the cost of manu-
facture Of merchandise exported to the
United States which they forwarded to the
Treasury Department for the information
Of the appraisers at the customs houses in
New York and other cities. in order that 1t
might be used against importers who under
value such articles in their invoices.
The German government does not object
to the use of these detectives, but 1t OBJ
jects to secret Investigations, and demands
that they shall carry credentials showing
responsibility. They will. hereafter. be
required to do SO, and will be instructed
to consult with the chambers of commerce
manufacturing goods. They are not to
rely upon their own judgment or upon
secret information obtained by them as
heretofore. 1t is also agreed that certifi-
Gates from the officials of chambers of
commerce shall be accepted by our ap-
praisers as competent evidence of the
value of goods. These certificates are not
to be final evidence, showeyer, but are to
receive due consideration.
1t has also been agreed that exporters
Of goods to the United States shall not be
compelled to appear personally before
United States consuls unless requested to
do so for special reasons. but their business
can be transacted by their employees. and
a few other minor regulations connected
with consular invoices which have vexed
the exporters will be modified.
uo1 <jov, 30 Goods
The most important concession, however,
made by the American commissioners re-
lates to the valuation Of goods. 1t is agreed
that Section XIX Of the Dingley tariff act
shall be construed to mean 1.-The export
price whenever goods and merchandise are
sold wholly for export or sold in the home
markets in limited quantities only, by rea-
son of which facts there cannot be estab-
lished market value based upon the sale
of such merchandise in usual Wholesale
quantities. packed ready for shipment to
the United States"
The law now requires that all goods shall
be appraised at their market value end that
their market value shall be determined by
the local wholesale price. but the manufac-
turers of Germany make large quantities of
goods especially for the American market
for which there Is no sale in Germany and
contention Is that the export price Is the
only valuation that is possible to consider
in such cases. The Attorney General has
expressed the opinion that this is a true in
depreciation of section XIX and the Amer
lean commissioners have made his opinion
part of the new agreement. This con-
cession pertains only to novelties, toys
fancy goods and other articles made exclu-
siveiy for the American market.
Upon receiving the report of DR.. North
and his fellow-commissioners Secretary
Root and Baron Speck. the German apbas-
sador. made an arrangement covering the
points mentioned which, If ratified by the
reichstag, will go into effect July l and
continue for six months after either govern
ment has given notice of desire to ter
inmate 1t. This means that it can last for
ever If neither government objects. 1t does
not require congressional sanction. 1t ia
concluded under the authority conferred
upon the President by section IL of the
Dingley law.