Representatives, concerning the revision of the Tariff laws, with a view to simplify the collection of the Customs Revenue, remove obstructions to commerce, diminish the opportunities for frauds upon the revenue, protect the honest against the fraudulent importer, and promote economy in collection, by abolishing unproductive customhouses and duties.

That said Committee be requested to gather all necessary information, by conference with merchants in all branches of trade interested therein, and especially to consider what can be done to facilitate the transit of the products of Canada through this port for export.

Resolved, That said Committee be requested to confer with the Chamber of Commerce, of New York, in reference to the matters submitted to it.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

I. ON TARIFF OF FEES FOR SEALED CARS FROM CANADA.

ACCEPTED FEBRUARY 2, 1874.

The Committee on Transportation, to whom was referred the subject of the tariff on sealed cars coming into the United States from Canada, beg to report that the Secretary of the Treasury, in compliance with their request, has issued an order to the effect that the tariff of fees prescribed for the sealing of cars and for the certificate to the manifest, has been modified so as to hereafter require a fee of twentyfive cents for both of said services, instead of twenty-five cents for each, as formerly.

Respectfully submitted,

AVERY PLUMER, Chairman.

II. ON PENALTY OF BONDS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND EXPORTATION TO CANADA.

ACCEPTED February 2, 1874.

The Committee on Transportation, to whom was referred the subject of penalty of bonds for transportation and exportation to Canada, beg to report that the Secretary of the Treasury has granted the petition of the Committee, and that the penalty of bonds for transportation and exportation to Canada, will be twice the duties, instead of being twice the value of the goods with duties added.

Respectfully submitted,

AVERY PLUMER, Chairman.

III. ON THE JOHNSON FORCE PUMP.

ACCEPTED MAY 4, 1874.

The Committee appointed to examine and report upon the merits of the Johnson Force Pump, have attended to their duty, and beg leave to report, that soon after their appointment, they waited upon Mr. JOSEPH BIRD, who made arrangements to give an exhibition showing the efficiency of the pump, at his residence in Watertown.

This exhibition took place on the afternoon of April 13, before a large company of gentlemen interested in fires and fire insurance, and was of a very satisfactory character. Without giving the details of the trial which were similar to those which have been given before other and very important Committees and Commissioners with like success and approval, it will be sufficient to say that piles of rosin barrels containing combustible materials were set on fire in Mr. BIRD'S field, and when blazing most furiously, were extinguished in a few moments by a man, and in one instance by a boy, who used the pump and a bucket or two of water. A small house was fired from a . burning pile on the outside, and put out from the inside by a man, who with a wet blanket or cloth protecting his hands, used the pump in a very skilful manner. Again set on fire from the inside, it was extinguished after it was burning with a furious and roaring flame, in a few minutes with the use of a single pump and a very little water.

In the light of these experiments, it is evident that the Johnson Pump will often prove a very efficient assistant in preventing large conflagrations by enabling a little water to be thrown at the right time, and in the right place, when fires are discovered at an early stage. There must always be some delay after the discovery of a fire, before the fire department can arrive with heavy apparatus, and a stream of water can be put upon a burning building.

Let a number of these simple pumps be placed in our factories and stores, with axes at hand and buckets of water always filled,

and we have no doubt that thousands, if not millions of dollars might be saved to the owners of property and to the stockholders in our insurance companies. Indeed, it would be a most prudent act and a most economical policy of insurance, if every storehouse and every dwelling in our city were thus provided.

The Committee therefore cordially recommend the Johnson pump as a simple and most effectual means of extinguishing fires, at their first breaking out in our buildings, and thus preventing large and disastrous conflagrations. We warmly approve Mr. BIRD's efforts to have it introduced in all the cities and towns of the country.

THOMAS GAFFIELD,

GILBERT ATTWOOD.

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