Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-04
FREEDOM OF PORT
CHARGES PROBED.
Treasury Official Finds Prac-
tice Due to Custom and Will
Continue Investigation.

Criticism by a New York Federal
grand jury of the practice of granting
freedom of the port to returning Gov
eminent officials and diplomats has led
Seymour Lowman, Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury, to order an invcStiga-
ton of the practice.
An incomer to the country accorded
freedom of the port is relieved from
paying customs duties.
After saying the practice was based
upon statutes and could be changed only
by Congress. Lowman found upon in
vestigating the subject later that there
was no statute bearing upon 1t, but that
it had been. followed for years. He said
the custom was based on international
practice and Treasury Department de-
c4SionS.
Law of 1920 Is Cited.
The last Of these decisions and that
upon which the present customs regula-
tions are based was issued October 4.
1920. and provided that the privilege
of free entry should be extended to the
baggage and other effects of foreign
Ambassadors. Ministers, charge daft
aires, secretaries. naval. military and
other attaches at embassies and lega-
tons. high commissioners and cosnular
officers and to American officials of
like grade.
1t also included in the scope of the
privilege prominent foreign visitors who
might be designated by the State De-
parment. The order provided that &C.
credited diplomats or American diplo-
mats needed only to show their creden-
tials to secure the privileged status.
Freedom of the port has consisted in
oil 1n of hn
receiving the privilege without eXamina-
ton. but study of the regulations to-
day by the Treasury showed that the
old orders regarding the subject pro-
vided only that it relieved the person
of paving duties and did not provide
that their baggage should not be eX-
amined.
An Exception Is Noted.
In relation to extending the privilege
to members of Congress, LoWman said
it could be done only when Senators
or Representatives we're abroad on Off
ciaf Government business. He pointed
out, however. that when a member of
Congress asked for freedom of the port
upon his return from a foreign trip and
said that he was going on an official
mission. the Treasury accepted his word
without question and granted the re-
quest
The investigation ordered by the as
siStant secretary will include the origin
of the practice and possible abuses oil
it, as we'll as any impositions upon the
Customs Bureau in asking extension OF
the privilege.
Liquor and Opiates Barred
Free entry. Lowman said. did not per-
nit the person receiving it to bring In
contraband such as liquor or narcotics
He said some members of a party OF
Congressman which returned recently
Panama had secured freedom of the
port before departing by saying they
were going on official business. Other
members of the party cabled the Treas
ury from Panama asking for freedom OF
the port on their arrival.
Lowman said this could not be grant
ed to those members because the Treas
ury had no evidence that they were on
official business. This portion of the
party, however. were granted what is
known as the courtesy of the port
which consists of expediting their bag
gage, but does not relieve it from ex-
animation. .