The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-17
CHAMBER TAKES
HAND IN MERGER
Asks MacVeagh to Hear Local
Delegation Before Consoli-
dating Customs Districts.
RICHMOND CHEAPEST PORT
Collects at a Per Dollar Cost
of S.oI7, as Against
sac for Norfolk.

Secretary r. A. Dunlop. of the
Chamber of Commerce, has written
to Secretary of the Treasury. Mac
Ncagh, asking that committee Of
Richmond business mon be given an
opportunity TO present argument and
data in favor of the retention of this
city one of the primary ports of
the State. 4 favorable reply to the petit
ton is expected this week.
The letter to the treasurer marks the
official entry of the Richmond Chamber
of Commerce into the agitation which
has for the past three weeks envcloped
the Treasury Department announced
intention to consolidate the four Gus
toms districts of the State into two
districts reducing several cities that
now rank as fun ports 10 the position
Of supports. Within the past week
the report has become current that the
four districts will be merged into one.
Norfolk and Newport News sent
Populations TO Washington to present
their respective claims. as early as
Chamber of Commerce, in the absence
of official information from Washing
ton. took no part in the agitation until
il became evident this week that the
reported consolidation was more than
idle talk
VIII Send Delegation.
Secretary Dunlop said yesterday that
he expected an answer from Secretary
MacNeagh. granting the conference.
within the next day or two AS soon
as the date for the hearing is fixed,
President Darlington. of the Cham Der
of Commerce, will name a representa-
tive delegation which will appear before
the Treasurer armed with the requisite
data.
Those who consented to discuss the
matter yesterday agreed that while the
volume of business in this city would
in no wise be affected If Richmond
were reduced to the position of
SUPPORT. such an act would be decided
reflection upon the capital city OF the
State particularly in view of the fact
that Richmond collects more customs
duties annually than all of the State
ports com bined.
Aside from any sentiment. IL was
pointed out. the weight of these figures
should be sufficient TO secure to Rich
mond its position as the premier port
of the State Its commanding position
as d distributing center. and as a center
of trade and finance. were other con
siderations that were named.
Collects at Smallest Cost.
According TO the last annual report
of the Treasury Department. the port
of Richmond makes its customs coliec- (
lions at a per dollar cost which is by
far the lowest IN the State. with the
cost of doing business as criterion. 7
the port of Norfolk is the most eXpens-
i've II costs Norfolk y and 20
cents 20 collect 81 of customs dues
Newport News is next lowest with
a per dollar cost OF 1917 cents. Peters
burg spends cents to collect each
dollar. Richmond il far and away the
lowest with per dollar collection cost
of only ! and 10 cents
The figures just quoted. however.
are not altOget her conclusive In New
-f,flr loo 70
collector faces an operation cost which
is not part Of the local collectors
problcm Newport News maintains d
force Of thirty-one men. and Norioik
employs twelve. as against only ELK Tor
Richmond. The eastern cities require
number of inspectors, deputy col
lectors and boarding officers. which the
Richmond Office does not need The
added cost OF these officers. without
compensating increase in revenue, IN
creases the per dollar cost OF collection
Would Save $4,000.
4 merger of the four Virginia customs
districts into one would annually save
the Treasury Department approx
mateIv $500. The saving would arise
from the discontinuance of the cOllec-
forships in four ports. and the substitu-
ton for them of deputy collectOrships-
Aside from this. the local forces OF the
separate ports and supports would re
main unchanged
rs the Virginia customs service
stands now. there are FIVE ports, Rich
mond. Newport News. Norfolk. Peters
burg and Alexandria. In each of these
there IL situated a collector. There are
four supports Westpoint. in charge OF
deputy from the Richmond oiiice
Tappahannock and yorktown. report
ing to Newport News, and cape /
Charles under tho direction OF tho
port of Norfolk
Reports to the effect that an agent
from the Treasury Department VIII
arrive in Richmond shortly to look INTO
tho local situation remain so far un-
substantiated. Collector Arnold said
Yesterday that he has received no
intimation from tho depart mcnt either
81 fp-oeffca-fop or proposed