The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-24
END OF SPECIAL PRIVILEGES
FOR IMPORTERS

The end of special privileges for
importers privileges not sanctioned
by law and not justified by a fair and
proper application of the customs
rules and regulations-see to be in
sight. Developments within official
customs circles during the past month
would seem to support the prediction
that from now on importers will not
be accorded considerations of a ma
ture to arouse suspicious against
those charged with the administration
of the Tariff laws.
At the hearings in Washington be-
fore the Ways and Means Committee
of the House recently, when the
Customs Administrative laws were
under discussion, reference was made
to the Comparative Values Report
Bureau at the United States APP
praiser's Stores in New York. This
Bureau, as explained in the American
Economist from time to time, was
created by the Appraiser of the Port,
at the suggestion of a certain am
bilious deputy and with the approval
of the Treasury Officials in Washing
ton, for the purpose of bringing about
a uniformity in the values placed up
on incoming merchandise at the var
ious ports throughout the country.
During the several years that it has
been in existence it may have accom-
plished some good. On the other
hand, evidence is not lacking that it
has created a harmful atmosphere in
Government appraising offices and
taken unto itself powers never con-
templatted by those who originally
approved of the idea. It's influence
has been far more harmful than good
and its activities have brought down
upon the appraising officials at the
port of New York bitter criticism and
opposition on the part of responsible
parties interested in the proper appli-
cation of the customs laws.
The members of the Ways and
Means Committee were greatly sur
prised to learn of the existence of a
bureau of this kind. The chief of the
Customs Division of the Treasury
Department was called upon to give
further details, but he found himself
hopelessly involved before he had pro-
ceeded very far
AS result a Treasury Order was
issued several days ago, addressed to
appraising officers, in which it was
stated that the Comparative Values
Report Bureau could only function in
an advisory capacity and that its find
ings and opinions were to be regarded
in that light only. AS pointed out in
a trade paper which referred to the
new Order-'tit takes the teeth out
of any future influence of the C. V.
r. Bureau over the actions of exam
liners and other officers charged with
the appraisement-o of imported goods. "
The c. V. R. Bureau must go
There is ample provision for taking
care Of the work attempted by this
bureau. The Board of United States
General Appraisers is peculiarly
equipped for any such activities and
their findings are official and are pub
lished for the information of the pub
lie.
Another bureau, not sanctioned by
law, is the Classification Committee
which has been meeting at the New
York Appraisers Stores for a consid-
cradle period. This bureau must be
included in the house cleaning which
is soon to take place.
Importers are entitled to every
consideration contemplated by law
AS matter of fact and record how
ever they have been accorded too len
| lent treatment by the recent Admins
tration. This has led to a laxity in
the manner in which customs ap-
praisals are conducted and a danger
Gus situation has been created.
All of these matters should serve
as danger signals to the new Admins
tration and to the new Appraiser and
other customs officers who may be ap-
pointed to administer the laws during
the next four years.
With the elimination of the C. v
R. Bureau, the Classification Commit.
tee and all other committees and bu
reaus not provided for by. law, the
new officers can begin with theil
duties unfettered. The many suspi
cions that have been directed agains
the New York Appraisers Stores car
be wiped out and the entire force il
this Federal building placed upon 1
more efficient basis.
It has been a long fight and the
way has seemed hard to the conseien
tious examiner of long standing WIZ
has endeavored to faithfully perform
his duties against tremendous odds
The recent Treasury Order, destroy
ing the influence of the C. V. r. Blu
/ raa4, knocI.z tho nrons from 45nds-