The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-25
Morr1sson-Reeves Library FIg.
ureS in Peculiar Case Which
Causes Great Uproar in
Eastern Cities.
GETS INFORMATION
AFTER CASE CLOSED
Books Imported From England
Subject to Customs Duty.
Government Claims, and
Litigation Results.

Truly a press clipping bureau un.
earths a multitude of things.
The latest example of this was
when the MORRISON Reeves library
discovered that it was carrying on q
suit in New York before the Board of
General Appraisers Of the United
States Customs. The library author
tiles were surprised to earn this
when the press clipping bureau sent
on. as a specimen Of its work. the
bunch OF clippings disclosing the fact.
The eastern newspapers are parti-
cularly active in showing up what
they consider the unwarranted action
Of the Customs authorities.
History Of Incident.
Briefly stated the history OF the
case is as follows: The librarian Of
the Morrisson-Reeves library in 1907
ordered a bill of books from the Ed
wards. Of London, England. which
were not procurable In America. AZ
ter due season the Meadows Express
company. which is one OF the great
International carriers. wrote to the H.
brary to obtain an affidavit showing
that the library is a free and public
institution. % that the books might
be introduced into this country FREQ
Of duty. The books were shipped
west and the library authorities paid
the express company for the hooks
and no more was heard of the matter
nor was any development expected.
Over a year afterward. on Septem-
ber 2S. 1908. the librarian received
another communication from the Mea-
dow's Express company. The COM
pany asked for new oath although
they acknowledged that the other had
been received. The company stated
that they were endeavoring to obtain
duty amounting to $S.25 which the
government had charged them with
on the bill of books ordered in 1907.
The new oath on a new form was for
warded and its receipt acknowledged
and the librarian forgot the matter.
Information 10 Received.
On Dec. 30 last. the librarian 70
ceived advertisements from the press
clipping. bureau. with extracts from
New York papers. in which 1t appear
ed that the library had brought suit,
and lost 1t. owing to the fact that the
affidavit had been filed too late. This
was news to the library In as much
as the institution had not been con-
suited in the matter at an. the affair
being the work of the Meadows Ex-
press company.
This aroused the indignation Of sew
fighting against the high handed Gus.
toms authorities. In this case they
found material all prepared for their
use.
Was Not Annoyed.
The next day the librarian recerv.
ed letter from a book importing
company which promised to keep the
library free from future annoyance.
The library however had had no an
noyance whatsoever and had paid no
excess duty. as that had been paid
by the carrier
Mrs. Bernhardt, the librarian Of the
Morrisson-Reeyes library, says that
she can account for the trouble az
only the negligence of the Meadows
company in either forwarding the
wrong form of oath at the time the
books were imported or In mislayinE
the affidavit forwarded. stating that
the library is q public institution.
Mrs. Bernhardt regards the hold
ing of charges as unjust inasmuch az
the library has for years been on the
government list at Washington as a
free and public institution and more
over a depository of government pub