Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-10

by the several executive departments
the Secretary is Of the opinion that
the excess OF expenditures over re-
ceipts for the fiscal year ending June
,, 80. 1900 may reach '$l43.04679G.
Realizing that sudden changes IN
the customs standing OF imported
merchandise are unfair to business.
and introduce an element Of uncer'
teinty. the Secretary has Instituted
n new system by which results in
the rayment Of a higher rate OF duty.
ample notice is given to those In
tcrnsted.
There have been Just completed by
the department goliations which put
an end to the long drawn cut con-
. troyrrev as to the value OF Limoges
China. And in doing this |: had estab-
rshcd p precedent and principal OF
cooperation between The manufactur-
ing interests involved and the United
states government which Is capable
OF being extended TO other classes or
merchandise. with excellent results.
During the year the department
has entered into an agr"em|Ht with
the Chamber OF Commerce of Limoges
rcnre senting the manufacturers or
that cit. as TO the value OF all kinds
Of pottery there manufactured Som"
minor details yet remain to he settled
but these do not affect the har-
monious results that have been
achieved.
The rcnOrt calls attention TO IN"
cnrrmission Of which Assistant Sec
~ B
chairman which went abroad last
I year to discuss with German officials
crrtnin important matters affecting
the proper administration OF tn" Gus
toms laws and an H"re"m"nt rrach-
cd with that country contained n
provisrn that the Chamber OF Com
mcrce OF that country should be on
titled to furnish certificates OF value
Of merchandise manufactured or pro
dMccd in their respective Communi-
ties which should be regarded by IN"
appraiS!rg officers of the United
States as competent evidence in III"
finding OF vallc. This privilege was
subsequently extended to the Chamber
OF Commerce OF other nations: and
II was granted only after it was as
certained that these ORGANIZATIONS
were governmental in their Charac-
ter go that in cas-" OF careless or
! false certificate OF value being sent
10 this country by such an organization.
! It would t,a possible to present the
matter to its government for proper
action. The treasury commission al
, so made special study of these
chambers OF commerce In France.
A., 81; britain tn
determine just what would be the
comrentency Of the evidence that was
presented in case OF disputed values.
, With a view to greater expedition and
thence less disturbance in business
conditions incident to the enforcement
OF the pure food law the secretary
during the year has arranged to do
away in n large measure with the re-
I ference Of each disputed case to
, WASHINGTON and has left 10 the Chief
local representative of the Treasury
Department and the Department OF
Agriculture at the larger ports the
disposition Of all cases except those
Of exceptional importance.
The advantage Of reducing to a
minimum the tranfer Of gold between
. these financial centers OF the world.
the Secretary says has been often
discussed but has not yet been the
subject of Official action. Economy In
such trainers as come about automati-
cally from time TO time by the eX-
tension OF the system OF bills of eX-
| change and by the use Of interna-
national credis. but distrnst OF these
resources in time Of crisis, the very
| moment at which they are NEST need
"l. inyokes a demand for physica,
gold The three months of November
and December. 1907. and January.
| ] 90S. witnessed imports of gold into
the United States to the amount OF
i$l1SS2o.S70 and on the other hand
the three months OF April. May and
June 1908, witnessed exports OF gold
! from 'h,, United States to the amount
! OF si9,65S912. For the twelve months
ending October 81. 1908. the total i'm
ports OF gold were sl50.234 06i. and
totals exports s72.509.564.
The Secretary says It would seem
| that means might be devised to di-
minish the transfer OF physical gold
| Or loans Of gold might be extended
more generously than at present by
one ration to another in times Of
stress. was proposed soon after the
crisis OF a year ago. Il has been sug-
, Gested that an International confer
! ence he called Of representatives OF
! the ministries Of finance and Of the
, great state banks with a view to more
| prompt and effective cooperation in
; emergencies.