The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-01-03
MAKING NEW RULES
FOR CUSTOMS WORK
Collector Loeb's Advisory
Board Seeks to Expedite
Inspection.

ioLils 4 new set Of instructions TO- -.
peLusai OF those arriving from sb-osT
AHe stumbling block g. the r5f7-fefo-7 -
passengers into residents anc roD-~ssf-
uelits OF the United States. T-nt1 ~
q person Who had lived abroad Mir :
- pis'ce OF residence for year vs.
s- -'I,ed 10 come in as a nonresident
oi-ISlHs IN unlimited quantities OF
apparel jeweiry. articles OF
-'UseAo-o effects, and other
goods Tor personal uses.
Under the new recalz+io,s -,..-,-
went into effect with the nsz-fIs - -'- -
tariff law last year, non-resfder+s -
dltlon TO those who are sctuaI razi-
dents Of other countries. are cIasse5 a
( those persons who have been abroad
continuously for two years or more
ms new regulation has been tia
cause Of much trouble and the law d.
vision at the custom house has been
kept busy hearing protests Of those
who believed they should be cTassed a.
inc7-residents- Heretofore persons could
claim a residence abroad and make a
I flying trip or two here without losing
their classification
Must Remain Abroad.
Now they must remain continuously
abroad for two years and a visit here
IN the interval makes invalid their
standing as nou-residents.
Through ignorance OF changed condi-
tons many who are arriving now de-
clare as nOn-residents only 10 ind on
landing that they are no longer IN this
class ard must pay duty This causes
delay and anger on the part Of passen-
gers held up Appeals 10 the law follow,
cases are carried TO Washington for
Z
been kept busy Strengthening out things
for which, they say there would have
been no excuse had the passengers had
an intelligent idea Of the law before
they made their declaration on ship
hoard
The board Is now formulating a new
SCI Of Instructions for incoming pas
seuEers 50 that the law viii be 50
clearly stated that there viii be no
chance o. declarations made in L.
rorance-- This has been found more
OF a task than was expected. and The
work OF interpreting the law is sJIl
under way
The change instituted ten days ago or
having the appraisers on the ger stand
under an upright on which IS painted
u : Appraisers instead Of wander
ing about the pier and chatting with
found 70 work vel There have never
been enough inspectors, and after the
arrival Of a liner they have been kept
busy looking for an appraiser When
they found one he was usually eXamln-
ing the luggage and they had TO stand
about waiting for him 20 complete MS
task This offended the passenger on
whose baggage the APPRAISER was work
-n-- as the traveller thought he was
under suspicion
Satisfied With Test.
Recently Collector Loeb received a let
ter from a prominent man who com
planned Of just this sort Of thing Nov
the appraisers when not engaged 90 70
their station and remain there until
wanted. Their task done. they return
20 the designated place 20 await an
other call The board is satisfied after
q test that the appraisers are now do
ing maximum Of work with no chance
10 Shirk
The customs officials have under con-
SIderatiOn a plan for dividing the first
and second cabin on each arriving yes
sell so that each class vii be examined
separately. as though they were arTiV-
ing on different vessels This IS e1-
pected to expedite the work make
easier the tracing Of irregularities, and
be better for the passengers Of both
Win the lighting OF Ambrose chan
mel and the landing OF steamship pas
SEuEerS. the customs officials say
another condition mas arisen which they
are helpless 10 deal with This IS the
practice OF some liEs-s in forcing Sec
Cnd-ClaSs passengers 10 80 ashore at
night OF the ground that the customs
men mCSt examine the baggage al once.
On the Pier.
On the per they ind that their effects
could be passed the next morning.
and the only excuse Tor aroUsIng them Is
that the steamship people want 20 be
rid OF them. II they want 70 so back
on board the liner again. 10 quote the
head of a custom department 1t takes
q strong armed nan 20 do IT.
Recently On one liner which got 70 her
pier late at night q customs man learn
ed that the secold-oabin passengers had
all been ordered ashore The sight Of
tired men and women dragging sleepy
children from the boat so incensed him
that he stood upon Q table in the saloon
and told The passengers they could re-
main on board, and that there would
be no unnecessary delay in examining
their baggage in the morning
The customs officials are 6nETy be-
cause the blame for arOusinz Dassen-
gers from their beds 10 80 ashore Is
laid AT their door. There IS really no
section % the law vet discovered. they
say 20 stop this action on the part OF
steamship men The advisory board l.
expected 10 give the matter some At
tentiOr and tho collector may take steps
10 stop this fast-Er0wiuE practice OF
getting yid Of passengers at night