New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-06
TEST FOR CUSTOMS
TAPESTRIES COMING.
Shipments Talued at SO 900 900
Nan Enter Free.

II was learned yesterday that the Treas
Ury Department at Washington had infcr-
nation that tapestries valued at 100000
were on shipbOard bound for this country
or being made ready for shipment. and that
every one Of these would be accompa MED
with an affidavit that Il was more than one
hundred years old. II the experts In the
appraisers Offices in the ports Of entry In
this country agree as 20 the age OF the
tapestries. IL will mean that they will all
come IN free OF duty.
The clause in the new tariff act No
III, has given the government officials
much concern ever since the act went into
effect. II refers 20 the admission free OF
DUTY OF works OF art twenty years old this
provision including paintings. sketches. on
cravings. original drawings and sculptures ::
and other works OF art one hundred years
old without tariff. IN the latter class be-
ing tapestries. pottery and other objects Of
antique art.
In this port $500 900 worth Of tapestries
have already been admitted free OF duty.
But there is another section that is causing
more work than is expected from the
other. and while there is a duty attached
the returns are very small
Clause No. 1856 relating 10 containers was
bic boxes. in which teas and other mer-
chandise are shipped. boxes that have been
sold at times works OF art. Merchan-
disc Is daily received at the Appraisers
Stores wrapped in ordinary paper. and as
the merchandise is dutiable the wrapping
paper Is dutiabIe. On one shipment last
week several hours were consumed IN max
ing the appraisement OF the contents OF the
packages because Of the quantity OF wrap
ping. and the whole duty on the latter
amounted TO 20 cents.
A official at the Appraisers Stores said
yesterday that the revenue from containers
" Ould not amount 10 $4,000 a year az this
port. and that there would be over that
amount in effort spent in making the ap-
praisals and collecting the duty.
Another clause that Is giving the Ap-
praiser's assistants much concern is No.
as, which makes practically everything
worn as an ornament dutiable-that Is. il
worn without evidence OF possession BY the
person prior TO having sailed for Europe
This clause was said TO have given the
government officials an opportunity to ex-
ercise discrimination in Judgment. II il
should be enforced 20 the letter. an official
said, large additional force OF men would
have to be employed at the docks and at
the Appraisers Stores.
Protests against sppraisements are piling
up at the old ratio. They average about
5000 a year. When Wilbur F. Wake
man was Appraiser he wanted Congress
TO charge a $ fee for each protest But
there was such vigorous opposition from
merchants and lawyers that the suggestion
was promptly turned down.
A lawyer who has a large practice among
importers said yesterday that il protest fees
were charged the legal business due TO the
tariff would be cut down to almost moth
ing. Cases OF protested payment of duty
are generally. II not always. taken on a
contingent fee. This is 81 per cent OF the
duty recovered. There was a case that Is
mentioned with awe BY lawyers. and all
hope sooner or later TO get one like H.
A lawyer took a case involving several
millions OF dollars on contingent fee. Of
his own money ne spent nearly $40 900 in
court costs and other expenses involved III
the litigation. which lasted for nearly
tvertv years. He WIS at the end OF his
financial resources when there was a de-
cision in his favor. His fee was over 81 O00.-
600. Cases will not be permitted 20 drag
in this way when the new customs court is
established. Congress Is expected TO dis
pose OF this part Of it's business soon after
its organization.