18

WAREHOUSES  IN  FOREIGN  COUNTRIES.

All  nationalities  are  treated  exactly  alike  by  the  administration
of  the  warehouse.
Goods  are  transported  to  and  from  the  warehouse  by  boats,  which
usually  load  and  unload  at  the  wharf  opposite  the  principal  entrance
of  the  warehouse.  By  this  method  transportation  expenses  are
greatly  reduced,  being  but  5  to  6  francs  ($0.96  to  $1.15)  per  100  bags
of  100  kilos  (220.46  pounds).  Transportation  by  cart  or  wagon  and
unloading  increases  the  cost  12  to  14  centimes  ($0,023  to  $0,027)  per
100  kilos.
Customs  officers  are  stationed  at  the  entrances  and  exits  of  the  warehouse ­
  for  the  purpose  of  certifying  that  goods  taken  out  of  bond  conform ­
  in  every  particular  to  the  description  contained  in  original  bill
accompanying  the  merchandise  at  time  of  entry.  Independent  of
this  verification  goods  are  subject  to  a  detailed  verification  before
and  after  being  taken  out  of  bond,  according  to  circumstances.
Warehousemen  strictly  guard  every  floor  and  allow  access  to  no
unauthorized  person.  An  annual  verification  is  made  of  all  merchandise ­
  remaining  in  the  warehouse.
Geo.  W.  Roosevelt,  Cons  id.
Brussels,  Belgium,  August  4,  1904'

GHENT.
(From  United  States  Consul  Mowrer,  Ghent,  Belgium.)
BUILDINGS  AND  MANAGEMENT.
The  warehouses  in  Ghent  are  210  feet  long  by  134  feet  6  inches
wide,  and  cost  approximately  $125,450.  They  are  the  property  of  the
city  (article  35  of  law  of  March  4,  1846).  Wherever  it  is  necessary
the  General  Government  may  establish  a  warehouse.  The  common
council  furnishes  the  buildings  decided  to  be  necessary  by  the  General
Government.  It  is  also  charged  to  keep  the  warehouses  in  good  condition ­
  and  make  necessary  repairs  without  delay.  In  case  of  delay
the  General  Government  can  make  the  necessary  repairs  and  pay  for
them  out  of  the  receipts  of  the  warehouses.
The  warehouses  are  under  the  direction  of  a  commission  (commission ­
  administrative  de  l’entrepôt)  composed  of  three  members  of  the
common  council,  appointed  by  the  King  upon  the  recommendation  of
the  minister  of  finance,  who  receives  nine  nominations  from  the  governor ­
  of  the  province.  The  directeur  des  contributions  directes
douanes  et  accises,  at  Ghent,  and  the  receveur  des  douanes  complete
the  commission.  The  term  of  office  of  the  three  members  appointed
by  the  King  is  three  years;  each  year  one  member  retires,  but  may  be
reappointed.
The  custody  and  superintendence  of  the  warehouses  are  intrusted
to  the  management  of  the  customs.  The  bonded  warehouse  keeper
specially  authorizes  (1)  the  admittance  to  the  warehouse  of  persons
not  members  of  the  administration;  (2)  the  surveying  of  samples;
(3)  deviations  from  the  regulations  which  particular  circumstances
require  in  the  interest  of  importers.  The  warehouse  keeper  is  responsible ­
  for  the  placing,  handling,  and  preservation  of  the  merchandise