” o © BROWNING ST. arn @comrany LOUIS,*MO. March 10th, 1932. Mr. E. G. Bennett, First Security Corporation, Ogden, Dear Utah, Mr. Bennett: Considerable confusion exists locally over a pending economy Bill which, among other things, provides for the discontinuence of the office of United States Appraiser at Ports through out the country, excepting onl New y York City. papers regarding the An article was recently printed in the local matter, which caused considerable comment, Mr. Schade, our Customs Broker here, to-day received information from Senator Hawes, Missouri, that Hawes is under the impression that the proposed Bill provides that all imports must be appraised by the Appraiser at New York City in some manner. It is, of course, needless to enumerature the many inconveniences and probable expenses that would result, so far as we are concerned, if any such impractical thing were attempted. We have endeavored to get a copy of this Bill locally but have failed to do so. The local Chember of Commerce does not have any definite information regarding it. —* On the rather urgent request of Mr. Hall, the Collector of Customs here, and also of Mr, Schade, I have written a letter to Senator Hawes, copy of which is attached, If we find that this most impractical idea is contained in the Bill, will let you know, since you, perhaps, could get something of a tangible nature done through Senator Thomas, ae 2 oe: ei en Se, a a upon een the urgent L hesitated request to write of the Collector to here, Hawes whose and only did good-will so and friendship we have, and, of course, want to keep. Also, since, according to the newspaper reports, the proposed Bill contemplates eliminating Appraisers everywhere excepting New York City, so it looks as if the fate of the local Appraiser is definitely fixed. The newspapers stated that the Bill was being vigorously supported by the Committee that prepared it after presumably having made an exhaustive survey. Frankly, if just the Appraiser's job is done away witha the present Deputy Appraisers would continue to ee guns; but under the Collector instead of the present Appraiser, « would be a good thing for us since the Collector's office certainly co-operates with us in every way possible.