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Page 8
Only six of the twenty pieces of baggage were trunks; the rest proved to
be packing-cases.
"They've got to be opened," said the heated inspectors.
"Certainly. You have our permission to open them," said the polite young
Frenchmen.
"What!" roared the inspectors, "Open them! We are not carpenters! Open
them yourselves!"
There and then these well-dressed, well-mannered young men had to set
to work to pry open their own packing-cases.
By this time their suavity had so exasperated the officials, who are not
accustomed to politeness and pleasant words from incoming passengers,
that they decided that the young Frenchmen must have a reason for their
good manners, and be in fact dangerous smugglers.
As one of the young men bent over a packing-case it was noticed that his
coat-pockets bulged suspiciously. Before he could offer a protest he and
his mother and brother were hurried away to the offices and searched.
In spite of their best endeavors the inspectors were unable to find
anything dutiable in the belongings of this charming family, and finally
the young Frenchmen were permitted to go on their way with their mother
and their belongings. It would have been a little interesting to have
obtained from them their first impressions of America.
The officials were, however, so angry that these good people had not
turned out to be smugglers, that they gave the next few passengers who
fell into their hands a very unhappy time.
One man who had bought a two-dollar doll for his little girl was obliged
to pay $1.50 as duty on it. Another who had spent $200 on new gowns for
his wife had to pay another $126 before he was able to take them to her.
One father was loud in his protests because he was taxed for the dresses
his daughters were wearing, and which he declared had been used by them
for a year and a half.
Nobody escaped on that unlucky day, and from eighty passengers about
$5,000 was collected. If this keeps up, our treasury will soon be
overflowing.
So annoying has the Dingley Bill made matters for travellers that a
consultation has been held by the customs officials, to see whether it
is not possible to make things a little easier for them.
The bill was aimed at importers, or people who buy and sell goods
manufactured in foreign countries. It was not intended to harass the
lives out of tourists who have merely purchased a few pretty things
while they have been abroad.
It would of course be unjust to allow these said pretty things to be
brought into the country free of duty, lest unscrupulous persons should
take advantage of the Government's kindness to avoid paying duty on
articles they intended to sell.
The inspectors have, however, felt that it is not right to tax wearing
apparel that has evidently been bought for the traveller's own use, and
has been worn.
The result of the conference of the Custom-House officials has been a
petition to the Secretary of the Treasury, asking him to allow the
Collector of the port of New York so to interpret the new law that
innocent travellers may not be taxed as if they were importers trying to
smuggle in goods.
* * * * *
The great coal strike still remains unsettled.
It was hoped that it would be brought to a close this week, as both the
miners and the owners had agreed to meet and discuss the matter, to see
if some understanding could not be reached.
The meeting has taken place, but unfortunately the two parties are as
far apart as ever.
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