20 
WAREHOUSES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
only fifteen days, the time is generally without limit, varying from 
one to ten years, and sometimes longer. The administration is 
responsible for preserving the stored merchandise indefinitely. It 
can dispose of the merchandise only when the taxes due have not been 
paid quarterly. 
HANDLING OF GOODS. 
The public warehouses at Ghent are situated at the docks, easily 
accessible to vessels that come alongside, and also to the railroads. 
They are equipped for the unloading and storage of merchandise 
with three old-type hand winches, which are still used for packages 
of light weight, and three hydraulic winches. The hand winches are, 
without expense, at the disposition of the party depositing goods in 
the warehouse or taking them away. The rates for the use of the 
hydraulic winches are as follows: For lifting 1,100 pounds or hss, 
$0.05; for lifting 1,102 pounds to 1,650 pounds, $0.10; for lifting 
1,652 pounds to 2,200 pounds, $0.15: for lifting 2,202 pounds to 3,500 
ppunds, $0.20 ; with a maximum of $1.03 per wagon load. 
The merchandise is placed and stored as directed bv the warehouse 
keeper. That which is of the same kind, but subject to different 
duties, is, as much as the accommodations will permit, placed in dif 
ferent warehouses. 
The warehouse keeper has a book in which he enters the receipt 
and delivery of the merchandise, also any changes that occur in the 
condition of the merchandise during the time it is stored. On receipt 
of merchandise lie affixes labels indicating the depositor, the kind of 
merchandise, country of production, place of export, manner of im 
portation, name of vessel and its captain, and nat ionality of the vessel. 
These labels are never changed so long as the merchandise remains all 
or in part in the same warehouse and under the same name. The 
packing of merchandise may be changed, but goods which are subject 
to different duties may not be mixed up, and marks and numbers 
on the old labels must appear on the new ones ; employees must re 
port this change of labels and packing, and verify the gross and net 
weight of the new packages. The accounts and records are modi 
fied as the result of this report and the net weights serve as a basis 
for the final payment of dues. The packages must be opened and 
the merchandise unpacked to be sorted, classified, and examined. 
Frank li. Mowrer, Consul. 
Ghent, Belgium, August 8, 1904. 
DENMARK. 
COPENHAGEN. 
(From United States Consul Frazier, Copenhagen, Denmark.) 
BUILDINGS AND MANAGEMENT. 
Following are the approximate dimensions of the principal ware 
houses and sheds in the Copenhagen free port. They are owned and 
conducted by the Copenhagen Free Port Company (Limited). The