78
WAREHOUSES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
in the municipal warehouses for the storage of their own goods
exclusively.
Jas. A. Smith, Consul.
Leghorn, Italy, August 6, 190lg.
MESSINA.
(From United States Consul Caugliy, Messina, Italy.)
The area of the interior of the storage warehouses here is 49,212
square feet and the buildings originally cost about $240,000. There
are also spaces of ground amounting to 65,010 square feet, surrounded
by walls, where such goods as lumber, metal, etc., are stored. The
property belongs to the city, but is managed by the Banca Popolare.
From the patron’s point of view the warehouses are of the greatest
service, as he can always command some ready money upon goods
which for the moment are not salable. They serve as a place of
deposit for both domestic and foreign goods, upon which advances
up to two-thirds of the value are allowed.
The charges for storage are based either upon the amount of space
occupied or the weight of goods, at the choice of the depositor;
in the first case six months’ storage charges must be paid in advance.
A schedule a of charges is inclosed.
A simple receipt is given when goods are deposited, but if the
depositor wishes to realize upon them another form is issued, which
can be indorsed and transferred as a piece of bankable paper.
No information will be given concerning receipts and expenditures.
The principal kinds of goods chiefly stored are coal, lumber, grain,
shocks from America and Austria, petroleum, and wine. There is no
• limit as to the time goods may remain in the warehouses, unless their
deterioration damages other goods. If the charges are not regularly
paid, the goods may be sold to cover expenses.incurred.
Two of the six warehouses have been turned over to the Italo
Americano, said to be controlled by the Standard Oil Company.
Two large reservoirs for petroleum have been built, two cargoes
have been received, and very shortly the casing of the oil for shipments
will be begun. All nationalities are treated exactly alike. As
the warehouses are practically upon the water’s edge, vessels can discharge
or take in cargo with very little expense. The warehouses are
always under the rigid supervision of the customs-house and the
octroi officials. A warehouse containing national goods is locked
with a single key, which is kept by the director, while one containing
foreign goods has two keys, differing from each other, one of which
is held by the proper customs authorities.
Chas. M. Caugiiy, Consul.
Messina, Italy, August #0,1901g.
« On file in the Bureau of Statistics, Department of Commerce and Labor.
