The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-16

is fair average. This means twelve
trips per annum. The transportation
expense for two men therefore for
the year would amount TO S4,6Se, or
for the thirty-three clerks employed
by the government S7T,220 yearly.
The transportation Of ninety customs
inspectors for the year would amount
at tho same rate to 1910, 500. This
Ia where the economist is like to get
in his first blow. hut he cannot WELD
another as effective. for while there
are other difficulties in the way that
are to be overcome, Ii Is merely q
question of overcoming an inconven-
nience. on board ship and not of re-
ducing an expenditure.
The scheme of examination on
board ship may be described as fol-
lows: The luggage of all passengers
is now carried--on the vessels en-
pIoying the mail service. which the
proposed customs. inspection on board
ship Is to Immediately cover--so that
passengers have access daily to their
belongings. This access could be sys-
te1natized SO that the six customs in
spectors could first examine such lug
gage as the passenger does not need
en- route. There trunks or boxes after
examination can be officially sealed,
signifying they are 20. K."eand that
so much Of the work has been per-
formed, Much OF the luggage in cer-
tain cases Of the so-eailed million
aire'' or stage celebrity consists of
trunks packed with Partisan crowns
and other similar purchases that will
not need to be opened for use en-
route.
Let us suppose the six inspectors
begin their task as soon az the steam
err clears the foreign port. A few
hours may be allowed by them for
the preliminary confusion to subside
and the crew to get things In ship
shape order. Once the ION board" In
spectIon Is adopted there will be a
system planned whereby passengers
will be asked to cooperate as far as
possible and the ships men to so place
luggage where Ii can be examined
with the least friction. placard
can be posted informing everyone on
the passenger list OF the day and hour
of the voyage when their luggage VIII
be inspected. 1t may not all be done
the first voyage. The smoothness of
the mail service system was not at
tanned in a moment. The servants OF
travellers, OF course. viii attend the
examinations Of inspectors made in
inconvenient places.
The luggage In the hold having
been cleared. the inspectors VIII ad
dress themselves to such luggage
above deck as passengers tIdS ba
willing 70 have examined, placed In
grips and sealed. This will reduce the
task TO a small remaining per cent
Quarantine, the comb OF In
spection can be again run through all
belongings. The seals on above deck
luggage can be Of the quickly adjus-
table. temporary kind. go that at the
nearing Quarantine examination they
may be removed from grips or boxes
previously sealed and the same recep-
tacle filled with all but the very few
est absolute necessities and reseaied,
The very final examination will
logically he of receptacaes of the least
bulk. How soon this examination can
he made rests with the passenger, And
just here will come a vital point for
the passengers consideration. In
jast so far as he defers final exaui-
nation. Just So far will he be detained
ON the pier. For part of the pro
pesed system Ia not TO compel the
traveller to have sal1 his belongings
examined aboard ship IL he elect
otherwise. There will be one or two
inspectors on the pier when the ship
arrives or one or two OF the six ship