New-York tribune., 1908-12-05
". T. W4kEM4N HEARD.
Points Ont Defects in Customs Id
minlStr0tiOn.

Washington. Dec. 4-Wi1bur F Wakenlan secre-
tary Of the American Protective Tariff League who
appraiser of the Port Of New York from S97
to 1901, called the attention OF the Ways and Means
Committee to-day to what he asserted we're weak
in the administration of the tariff law He
recommended that the method of appraisement OF
foreign merchandise be changed that the ar-
praisement of one-tenth of the merchandise on any
invoice would be applied to the whole invoice when
all Of the merchandise on the invoice is called for
by customs officials. and not furnished intact. Mr.
Wakeman also urges that small fee should be p
piled to every protest and appeal fled with the col
Iectors officers serving such.
Mr. Wakeman asked for the repeal Of Section 5
of the DngIey law, under which the German tariff
agreement Of May 81. 1907 proclaimed by the
President He said this agreement has been extend
ed all nations OF the Continent and Japan
Ex-Representative Montague Lessler. Of New
York urged that the duty Of 81 a ton on peat moss
be removed.
John NJ. Peters. Of New York secretary of the
National Association of Importers. spoke the
section Of the administrative act of the tariff law
applying to undervauatons Chairman Payne
asked Mr. Peters to file brief making sugges-
tons
Representative William {. Lowering, OF Taunton,
Mass. spoke the dra wback provisions of the
tariff. He offered several amendments the pres
ent drawback provisions, asserting that the
has been found i'm practical experience to have
tain defects which tend to limit its usefulness.
Charles l. FeItman representing the Buffalo
His contentious supported by Henry D.
Burns, of Buffalo
You would be lucky II we compromised and gave
you duty of 10 cents a bushe, instead OF free
entry said Chairman Payne. That would give
the government good revenue"
An advance in the duty of sheet gelatine from
IS per cent ad valorem to 50 per cent was asked
for by George Townsend of New York in order
that the American article compete with that
of Germany.
. .,FE ,falo
vision for the drawback on wheat and -four be ex-
tended
Meyer {. Goldman. of New York. desired that
theatrical scenery be especially mentioned in the
tariff law. He contended that frauds were perpe-
trated in the Importation of theatrical scenery.
especially through undervaluation
You have your remedy for that said Mr.
Clark of Missouri. You place the matter N the
hands Of the District Attorney at New York and
If he discharge his duties let know
and I will make pilgrimage TO the White House
and try 70 have him fred.
; Director North Of the census bureau who informed
Chairman Payne that he would gladly appear be-
fore the committee to testify under oath regard
ing his connection with tariff legislation. in
vted TO appear today tomorrow. He replied
that he would rather appear when the committee
had authority administer oath.
H E. Miles. of Racine. Wis. chairman Of the
tariff committee Of the National Association of
Manufacturers will appear before the committee
to-norrow- as an individual and a repre-
sentative of the association Mr.. Miles agrees
with President Van Cleave that in some form the
preliminary work OF changing the tariff schedules
must ne out into the hands of board or com
r1ittee of men who to the bottom Of things,
which he saws the Ways and Means Committee can
not do unless its members torego their other
duties Mr. Miles says that this means nothing
a1se than the tariff commission which the manu-
1acturars are asking for. He declares that great
,ropress has been made the last few weeks in
i5eroonstrating the futinty and !nadeluacy of the
old method.