HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 229 
because the inspection might show that there was nothing contraband 
in the-goods. In the second place, shall it be before the Secretary of 
the Treasury or the Secretary of Agriculture? And in order that 
there might not be any misunderstanding as to where the testimony 
was to be given or when it should be offered, this wording was put in. 
While not necessary, it seems very convenient in the interpretation of 
the act that that information should be given to the importers. 
If I may be allowed a word, Mr. Chairman, if we inspect an invoice 
and if it is found all right, then they do not need any testimony of any 
kind; and it is not necessary to give testimony until an invoice has 
been found wrong. This specifies that point. 
The Cuarrman. The next point, I think, for you to explain is the 
language here 
Provided, That the importer of said foods, condiments, drugs, and beverages may 
remove under bond any invoice held for inspection in accordance with regulations 
to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, in which he shall agree to return 
the shipment to the custody of the Secretary of the Treasury, in case it shall be found 
unsuitable for entry. 
Mr. Wirey. I think J can explain that, Mr. Chairman, in a few 
words. It came up in the actual process 
The CHarrman. That is to avoid holding the goods on the dock 
pending examination. 
_ Mr. Winey. The goods either had to be held on the dock pending 
examination or had‘ to be stored in a Government bonded warehouse 
at the expense of the importer. They object to paying this charge and 
also to having it exposed in the warehouses. They can not have con- 
trol of their goods in the warehouses, under the conditions under which 
it is kept there, because sometimes there is such a high temperature in 
the warehouse and sometimes such a low temperature in the warehouse 
that the extremes are injurious to those products. So they wanted an 
opportunity to take the goods immediately when they are landed, as 
they are allowed to do now in the payment of customs. A person 
bringing goods into this country is allowed to remove them under bond 
before the liquidation of the entry, giving bond to double the value of 
the goods. He paysa certain part of the duty, which is estimated, and 
when the duty is finally adjusted if there is any additional duty to pay 
he pays it, too, and the bond is canceled; and in the meantime he has 
possession of his goods and can use them, if necessary, because he only 
agrees to pay double their value in case there is objection to their 
going through the custom-house. 
Mr. Apams. It would seriously hamper trade if this provision was 
not in here. 
Mr. Wiey. It did hamper trade very seriously until the Secretary 
of the Treasury allowed them to take the goods under the regular 
bond temporarily until some more ample provision should be given. 
The Cuatrman. What goods did you run across that could not be 
stored in bonded warehouses? 
Mr. Witey. In winter weather if the temperature is below freezing 
there are many goods that are injured. That is the case with olive 
oil, although olive oil will melt out afterwards. It is the case with 
almost every fruit product, unless it is fruit which is intended to be 
kept in cold storage. 
The Cuarrman. Is the temperature in these bonded warehouses 
below freezing ? 
