Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-19

which, with proper government en-
.couragement he believes will be world
wide and world-varied.
1T is idle to expect" he adds, that
we shall ever have developed foreign
commerce without a developed foreign
banking system. Our present system
grew up in a period OF ISOLATION
To a Congress which is expected to
remodel some Of the tariff schedules,
Mr.. MaeVeagh urges from the stand
point of experience the establishment
Iof specific duties instead of ad
valoren, wherever the nature of the
article involved makes that possible.
He says:
THE practice of adopting ad valorem
duties adds TO the ease and quickness
with which legislation may be pre-
pared; but that is its only helpful
quality-and that lonely quality has its
palpable rawbacks. Ad valorem du-
ties lead directly to the great majority
of all the frauds upon the revenues
with which the Treasury Department
has to contend; and they do all they
can to drive honest importers, out of
business. They add exceedingly to
tie expense and responsibility of adj
ADMINISTRATION and are responsible in
largest measure for whatever de
generalization exists in the importing
land customs business. Theoretically
adj yalorem duties may have an appeal,
but in practice they are delusion AID
a snare"
The principle of scientific revision"
OF the tariff Mr.. MacVeagh continues,
should be applied not only to the ques
ton of duties. but also TO classification
of articles and the language of the law
SO. that there may be no doubt as to
the intent of Congress. When the
scientific method and spirit of legisla-
ting on this subject is reduced TO
ractice. covering all features of the
tariff law. affecting its. ready inter
probation. the Secretary declares, an
expensive element OF its administra-
tion and n large amount Of litigation
will be automatically eliminated. Also.
he adds, many vexations of honest i'm
porters and a vast mass of under
valuations and frauds by dishonest i'm
perters will disappear, he adds.
There can be no question: he con-
cltdes on this subject, thai the need
|of rendering The administration of tie
customs business OF the country
simple, prompt and certain, with
ia rational saving. of useless ex-
penditnre is an additional reason of
great weight for the enlightened meth
oil Of tariff Legislation TO which. The
best sentiment of the country has been
looking forward for moro than quar-
TOR of a century"
Mr.. McVeagh recommends the ap-
pointment Of a commission, consisting
OF representatives of Congress and the
executive departments, to evolve a
budget system for the government
This is necessitated he says by the
y.idely scattered and disintegrated re-
snonsibilities governing estimates. APP
preparations and revenue.
The abolition of all the assay offices,
except the one at New York is urged by
| the Secretary. They cost the govern
| ment $3.50 yearly, and the whole
amount is thrown away" he adds.
Declaring that the work of re-
facilitating the customs service has
been vigorously prosecuted, the Secre-
tary says that developments as to un-
dervaluations and frauds continue to
lie most impressive and to make it evil
dent that the end of the reform is not
Iyet in sight He hopes to complete
the reformation within a year.
The customs districts are being re-
organized and the Secretary announces
that he will ask Congress later to
labolish considerable number of use
less and expensive customs offices.
| Other recommendations of Mr.. Mac
Veagh include: A contributory system
of civil service retirement; transfer TO
the classified civil service of a number
OF customs officials from collector
down: the imposition of the nominal
| fee of $1,00 for protests to the Board of
General Appraisers in customs as
! sessments; extending the one hundred
dollars exemption from duty granted
returning residents to include articles
for household use, souvenirs, curios or
gifts: provision for at least two vessels
a year for the revenue cutter service;
authority for the use of certified
checks in the payment of all dues to
the government; revision of the sink
, ing fund law so as TO make it some i
thing more than practically dead let 4
| ter; laws adequately prohibiting the
importation of opium; and revision
of the oleomargarine statute.