108 
WAREHOUSES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
times much longer. Tobacco deteriorates if left in bond longer than 
one year, but the length of time in which it does remain in bond 
varies according to the class of tobacco, the kind of leaf, etc. Two 
years may be said to be the maximum period during which any kind 
of tobacco remains in bond. 
Americans make very little use on their own account of Liverpool 
warehouses, whether for dutiable or nondurable goods, as most of the 
importations from the United States into Liverpool are either owned 
by or are under the control of British merchants. While this is the 
largest foreign market in the world for American tobacco, on which 
there is a high rate of duty, the tobacco is owned by British subjects. 
Some years ago Americans used to send American whisky here to be 
stored, but this is not done now, as there is little or no market in this 
country for American whisky. 
All nationalities are treated alike in Liverpool by the customs 
authorities and by those owning the warehouses, including the Mer 
sey Docks and Harbor Board. 
All merchandise is removed from the ship to the warehouse by 
means of carts or lorries drawn by horses, as a rule, although 
recently steam automobile wagons have been coming into use. The 
carriage of goods in Liverpool is a serious item of expense. The 
horses used are claimed to be the strongest draft horses used any 
where—certainly the loads they haul are immense. There are ample 
cartage facilities. The cost of haulage varies so much that no ap 
proximate figures can be given. Some of the warehouses are in close 
proximity to the docks, and the cost of transportation is compara 
tively small. Others are at a considerable distance from the docks, 
and then the cost is materially increased. There is a railroad run 
ning the length of the docks, and quite close to them, which does con 
siderable haulding of goods in transit from one dock to another. 
Negotiations are now pending between the dock board and the rail 
road companies with the view of having tracks run right to the docks 
to facilitate the transfer of goods. 
In the large bonded warehouses customs officers are Continually 
stationed during official business hours. At the smaller warehouses 
customs officers attend only when their services are required or at 
times they deem advisable. Tn all cases bonded warehouses or rooms, 
as the case may be, are fitted with what is known as a " Crown lock,” 
to which the key is held by the customs officer in charge. The ware 
houses or rooms are also fitted with a duplicate lock, the key of which 
is held by the ow ner. Thus the owner of the warehouse or room can 
not gain admittance during unofficial hours without the attendance of 
a customs officer. 
Occasionally the customs officers challenge the stock in a bonded 
warehouse. The customs officials’ record contains entry of all goods 
stored and removed from a bonded warehouse. If the customs officer 
has any doubt about the quantity , say of wines or spirits contained in 
a particular cask, the contents are measured. The quantity found 
therein is then compared with the official record. A warehouse owner 
or keeper must, before the warehouse is approved by the customs 
authorities, give a bond, and this, together with the fact that his 
license will be forfeited if any pilfering is found out or any infraction 
of the law takes place, makes him very careful. The result is that 
there is very little pilfering from bonded warehouses in Liverpool.