DISSENTING OPINION
Tilson, Judge:Having joined with my associates in deciding the cases of Absorbo Beer Pad Co. v. United States, reported as T. D. 49112 and 1 Cust. Ct. 115, C. D. 32, which passed upon the proper classification of merchandise somewhat similar to that in this case, I regret that I am not able to join in the decision signed by my associates in this case. Because this case has been submitted upon an entirely different record to that in each of the previous cases, and because of certain errors which, upon more mature deliberation, I feel were committed in those decisions, I feel compelled to dissent from the present decision of my associates. I find no words which more aptly express *63my views with reference to the errors in the previous decisions, than those used by Mr. Justice Story, when he said:
* * * I hope that I shall always have the candor to acknowledge my errors in a public manner, whenever I have become convinced of them.
The language of the two competing paragraphs, necessary to a decision, of the issue here presented, is as follows:
Par. 1402. * * * pulpboard * * * pot * * * embossed, * * * 10 per centum ad valorem.
Par. 1413. * * * pulpboard * * * 'embossed, * * * 30 per cen-tum ad valorem. ' ’ •
First of all it is necessary for us to determine how the collector classified the merchandise in this case, in order that we may, from the evidence introduced, be able to determine whether or not the plaintiff has met that part of its burden of showing by the weight of credible evidence that the collector’s classification was erroneous. On the invoice appears the following red-ink notations: “30%/1413 Embossed both sides.” In the case of United States v. Bullocks, 25 C. C. P. A. 381, T. D. 49465, the merchandise there in controversy was described by the examiner or the appraiser as being “in part of braid.” In holding that such description was the advisory classification of the appraiser, and on the record therein that such advisory classification by the appraiser was the collector’s classification, the appellate court said:
In view of the fact that the appraiser’s advisory classification of the merchandise at 90 per centum ad valorem under paragraph- 1529 (a), supra, describes it as being in part of braid, * * * “the record is sufficient to establish the fact that the merchandise was classified” by the collector in accordance with the appraiser’s advisory classification.
At the trial the examiner who .examined the instant merchandise and who placed the red-ink notations on the invoice, above referred to, testified that:
It was advisorily classified as embossed both sides as wood pulpboard at 10 per cent entered under 10 per cent, under 1402, and advisorily classified as pulpboard embossed at 30 per cent, paragraph 1413, with a notation, embossing appeared on both sides.
s}í * ‡ * * H* #
So the collector adopted your advisory return as emb ossed b oth sides, is that right?— A. Yes, sir.
In the Bullocks case, supra, we only had the advisory classification of the appraiser that the merchandise was in part of braid and there was no evidence to the contrary, while in this case we not only have the advisory classification of the examiner or appraiser that the pulp-board was embossed, in the form of red-ink notations on the invoice, but we have the uncontradicted testimony of the examiner who placed those red-ink notations on the invoice, that such was his advisory *64classification and that the collector adopted as his classification the advisory classification of the examiner, “Embossed both sides.” Under the facts in this case there can be no question but that:
* * * “the record is sufficient to establish the fact that the merchandise was classified” by the collector in accordance with the appraiser’s advisory classification.
In the case of United States v. White Sulphur Springs, 21 C. C. P. A. 203, the merchandise was classified by the collector as “a toilet preparation” under paragraph 61 of the act of 1930, and the plaintiff claimed the same to be dutiable at only 25 per centum under paragraph 5, as “ * * * all medicinal preparations, not specially provided for.” After a decision in that case, the defendant filed a motion for rehearing in which it insisted that “if the merchandise is not properly classifiable as a toilet preparation at 75 per centum under said paragraph 61 it is properly classifiable and subject to the same rate of duty under the latter clause of the same paragraph, supra, providing for bath salts, perfumed whether or not having medicinal properties.”
In disposing of the Government's contention in that case, the appellate court said:
No extensive review of the record seems to be necessary. There is nothing therein tending to show that the merchandise is bath salts. The appraiser’s report does not so designate it, nor did the collector so classify it. His classification was as a toilet preparation. Hence there is no presumption from the classification itself that it is bath salts, and no proof was introduced which even intimates it to be such. [Italics mine.]
The appellate court then laid down the following broad, and, in my opinion, a very sound principle applicable to any paragraph of a tariff act:
Where a paragraph of a tariff act makes provision for two or more distinctly different kinds of merchandise and the collector of customs specifically classifies an importation as one of those kinds, the legal presumption that such classification is correct attaches, but such presumption of correctness is limited to the specific classification made, and, in case it be found that the merchandise is not such specific kind, it may not be held that there is a legal presumption that it is some other kind which happens to be included in the same paragraph but of which the appraiser gives no description and the collector makes no mention in his classification.
In the instant case there is nothing in the record tending to show that the merchandise was classified by the collector as anything other than pulpboard “Embossed both sides.” The appraiser’s report does not so designate it, nor did the collector so classify it. The collector’s classification was as pulpboard “Embossed both sides.” Hence there is no presumption from the classification itself that the merchandise is other than pulpboard “Embossed both sides,” and nothing in the official papers which even intimates it to be other than pulpboard “Embossed both sides.”
*65This position finds complete fortification in a “Memorandum” submitted by the collector and forwarded as a part of the official papers in this ease, in which the collector states:
The Appraiser’s description of the merchandise, made in accordance with Section 500 (a) (4), Tariff Act of 1930, and Articles 772 (c) and 776 (ff), Customs Regulations of 1937, was accepted and adopted by this office in liquidation, and the merchandise was accordingly classified as Embossed pulpboard at 30% under paragraph 1413 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
From what has been said it is, therefore, clear that when the plaintiff entered upon the trial of this case, the, only burden it had to meet in order to overcome the presumptively correct classification of the collector was to show that the pulpboard was not embossed. Apparently as a matter of precaution, counsel for the plaintiff showed by proper evidence that the pulpboard was not plate finished; was not supercalendered; was not friction calendered; was not laminated by means of an adhesive substance; was not coated; was not surface stained or dyed and was not lined or vat-lined. This was entirely unnecessary, as the merchandise had not'been so classified, and there ■was no evidence offered by the defendant to show that it fell within any of such categories.
Therefore, if the plaintiff has shown by proper evidence that the' pulpboard in question is not embossed it has met its burden of showing that the collector’s classification was erroneous, and has also met its burden of showing the proper classification. Since no one questions the fact that the merchandise is pulpboard, it was either properly classified as embossed pulpboard, or its proper classification is as pulpboard, not embossed. This- is a case where evidence which is sufficient to show that the collector’s classification of the merchandise as pulpboard, embossed, under paragraph 1413 was erroneous, is also sufficient to establish the claim of the plaintiff that the merchandise is properly classifiable as pulpboard not ‘ embossed under paragraph 1402. It should be made perfectly clear that the merchandise was not classified as pulpboard decorated or as pulpboard ornamented in any manner, and for that reason it is not necessary for the plaintiff to make any claim or offer any evidence that it is pulpboard not decorated or that it is pulpboard not ornamented in any manner. The sole claim and contention of the plaintiff is that it is pulpboard not embossed.'
During the trial of this case there was offered and admitted in evidence as a part of the record herein, the record in Absorbo Beer Pad Co. v. United States, T. D. 49112, based upon the fact that the parties are the same in both cases and testimony to the effect that the merchandise in both cases is-similar. The merchandise involved in T. D. 49112 was held dutiable as “pulpboard * * * decorated or ornamented in any manner,” and not as pulpboard embossed. In *66the present case, however, the only question presented is whether or not the pulpboard is embossed, and since it was not classified as pulp-board decorated or ornamented in any manner, and the evidence is not sufficient to show that it is pulpboard decorated or ornamented in any manner, we are not here concerned with the dictionary definitions of the words “decorate,” “decoration,” “decorative,” and “fancy.”
In our decision reported as T. D. 49112, it was stated:
* * * Under the circumstances, the question of whether the pulpboard is also embossed need not here be decided.
* H* * H* ❖. Hi ♦
In the case at bar, however, it is clearly shown that the screens on the rollers or in the press were attached thereto or placed thereon or therein with the intent and purpose of producing the pin-prick effect.
A case more in point, we think, is that of United States v. Meyerson, 2 Ct. Cust. Appls. 225, T. D. 31953, 21 Treas. Dec. 400, wherein certain cardboard had been embossed to give it an appearance of grain leather.
The fact is that in the Meyerson case, supra, the cardboard therein had not been classified by the collector as embossed, it was not claimed by the importer to be embossed, nor was it held by this or the appellate court to be embossed. This was clearly apparent to us at the time we rendered our decision in T. D. 49112, as evidenced from the following quotation therefrom:
* * * The merchandise had been assessed for duty under paragraph 411 of the Tariff Act of 1909, as “papers * * * with the surface decorated or covered with a design, fancy effect, pattern, or character,” and was claimed dutiable under paragraph 415 of that act, as “cardboard.” The court held that the merchandise belonged to that class of manufactures from pulp known as cardboard, and not paper. It was therefore held classifiable as claimed.
He H* H^ Hí H< Hs H<
Of course we are not here concerned with paper, or even cardboard, and the question of embossing in said case was not an issue, as neither paragraph 411 nor 415 provided for paper or cardboard “embossed.” The decision is important, however, in showing that the imitation grain leather effect produced by passing the pulp between a smooth roller and an indented roller was therein regarded as embossing.
Hi * Hi * * * ^
If the cardboard with the imitation grain-leather effect was regarded as embossed, then it would seem that the present pin-prick pulpboard might also be regarded in the same way.
I still feel that if the cardboard with the imitation gram leather effect in the Meyerson case, supra, was regarded as embossed, then it would seem that the present pulpboard might also be regarded in the same way. However, since upon more mature reflection and consideration it appears that the cardboard in the Meyerson case, supra, was not classified as embossed, was not claimed by the importer as embossed, was not held by this court or the appellate court as embossed, nor regarded by any one as embossed, I must admit that *67our holding or statement in T. D. 49112 that it “was regarded as embossed” was in error, and I do not now feel that the decision in the Meyerson case, supra, should he given any controlling effect in this case.
In this case if there was anything to show that the.pulpboard had upon its surface or surfaces any effect which was produced by passing the pulp between a smooth roller and an indented roller as in the Meyerson case, I would be inclined to hold that it was embossed. It is quite clear from the decision in the Meyerson case, supra, that any statements contained therein regarding embossing were not based upon the proposition that the only real test that could safely or logically be applied there was whether the embossed effects were, or were not, in fact perceptible to the eye when the merchandise was held in the light at ordinary or reading distance. On the contrary, all statements in said decision regarding embossing follow the statement:
From the unconlradicted evidence produced on the hearing the following facts appear to be established: [Italics mine.]
In the Meyerson case, supra, the merchandise was classified as uncoated paper with a surjace design not'produced by lithographic processes, and was held dutiable by this and the appellate court as cardboard. In the concluding paragraph of the decision in that case, the appellate court said:
On this evidence and on the record submitted in T. D. 30826 the board found that the merchandise was “leather board,” a special grade of paper board belonging to the general class of goods commercially known as cardboard, and that it was therefore dutiable at 35 per cent ad valorem under the provisions of paragraph 415. This finding is fully sustained by the evidence, and the decision of the Board of General Appraisers is therefore affirmed.
For the foregoing reason, together with the fact that this case is submitted upon an entirely different record to those in the former cases, reported as T. D. 49112 and C. D. 32, although one of those records is incorporated herein, I do not feel those decisions are any authority for holding the instant merchandise to be pulpboard embossed.
While it is true that the record in T. D. 49112 is in evidence in this case, and in that record it was testified that all the rollers through which the pulp passed had screens, and that “* * * by the attachment of wire screens around some of the rollers the pin-prick effect is produced,” it is to be noted that the entry covering the merchandise in T. D. 49112 was dated July 11, 1935, while in the instant case the entry was not made until December 30, 1938, more than 3 years after the entry of the merchandise in the former case, [n the case reported as T. ,D. 49112 this court stated that “after the *68merchandise leaves' the rollers it is in a wet condition, is cut to size, and placed in a press between screens, * * *.”
In the case reported as C. D. 32, this court stated that the merchandise is of the identical kind and character as that in T. D. 49112, and “it appeared from the testimony of plaintiff’s own witness therein that the who screens on the rollers or in the press were attached thereto or placed thereon or therein with the intent and purpose of producing the pin-prick effect.” In both the cases reported as T. D. 49112 and C. D. 32 the merchandise was manufactured by the firm of Guggen-bacher Papier Fabrik, of Austria.
In the instant case the merchandise was manufactured by Platten-thal Papierfabrik in Saxony, Germany, and the rollers between which the instant merchandise passed are “All smooth, entirely smooth.” “Those rollers are entirely smooth.” In the two cases reported as T. D. 49112 and C. D. 32 the issue was whether or not the pulpboard was decorated, embossed, or ornamented in any manner, while in the instant case the only issue is whether the pulpboard is, or is not, embossed.
It is not to be presumed or assumed that the witness who testified as to the method of manufacture of the pulpboard in the case reported as T. D. 49112 was attempting to testify as to the method of manufacture of merchandise which would be produced and imported more than 3 years subsequent thereto, by a different manufacturer and in a different country. Therefore, the only evidence we have as to the method employed in the manufacture of the instant merchandise is the testimony of plaintiff’s witness from Vienna which was to the effect that the rollers between which the instant merchandise passes are “All smooth, entirely smooth.” “Those rollers are entirely smooth”
It will thus be seen that not only the manufacturer, but also the method of manufacture, the record upon which submitted and the issue presented in the instant case is each so completely different from the manufacturer, the method of manufacture, the record upon which submitted and the issue presented in the two cases reported as T. D. 49112 and C. D. 32, as to clearly distinguish this case from the two former cases.
At this point I advert to the Meyerson decision, supra, for the purpose only of quoting therefrom the appellate court’s observation regarding “plain board” and “Embossed Board,” which was based upon “the uncontradicted evidence produced on the hearing:”
To make plain board tie pulp is run through smooth rollers. Embossed board is produced bjr passing the pulp between a smooth roller and an indented roller. [Italics mine.]
In our decision in T. D. 49112, this court said:
In this respect the present case is very analogous to that of Mills & Gibb Corp. v. United States, 14 Ct. Cust. Appls. 197, T. D. 41703, and Wilson & Son v. *69United States, 14 id. 234, T. D. 41717, which involved the question of what constituted a figure under the provision of paragraph 903 of the Tariff Act of 1922, for “cotton cloth * *
In the Mills & Gibb case, supra, the merchandise was classified as woven-figured cotton cloth, and was claimed to be bleached cotton cloth. In the course of its decision the appellate court stated “whether a cloth is figured or not is judged by its appearance to the eye.” It is to be noted that the appellate court carefully refrained from stating that whether a cloth is wown-figured or not is to be judged by its appearance to the eye. I am in agreement with the holding of the appellate court as above stated. Any person with normal, vision can see a figure as well as any other person with normal vision and can,therefore, determine from an ocular inspection whether or not a given piece of material has on it some kind of a figure. The determination of whether or not a given material is figured is one thing, but the determination of whether or not a given material is embossed is so materially and vastly different and so much more complicated, intricate, and technical as to make the rule for the former completely inapplicable to the latter. In my present view, therefore, there is a complete lack of any analogy between the present case and the cases quoted above upon which we relied in our decision reported as T. D. 49112.
Webster’s New International Dictionary defines “figured” as follows:
1. Adorned with, formed into, or marked with, figures; as, figured muslin.
Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2nd edition, defines “emboss” as follows:
emboss, v. t. 1. To cause to swell or protrude; to inflate. 2. To raise the surface of into bosses or protuberances, esp. by pressure against a steel roller cut or engraved with a pattern; to ornament with raised work. 3. To raise in relief from surface, as an ornament, a head on a coin, type or a device on a letterhead, or the like. Embossed work is done by mechanical means, as by embossing dies; * * *.
The Dictionary of Paper, exhibit 2 herein, defines “embossed” as follows:
A term applied to paper on which a raised or depressed design is pressed by passing the paper between an engraved steel roll or plate and another roll or plate of soft or compressible material, such as paper or cotton, or by pressure between strong coarse fabrics. The operation is used for decorative effects and is generally applied to book, blotting, cover, and wallpapers.
Since the last definition quoted is generally applied to book, blotting, cover, and wallpapers, it might be argued that it had no application to board or pulpboard, and I therefore quote from the same authority the definition of “embossed board”:
*70A general term for any board that has been passed through metal rollers upon which a design has been cut. The rollers may simply impress the design or they may be inked to add color to the pattern. [Italics mine.]
With reference to exhibit 2, Mr. Hecht, Customs expert for the Import Committee of the American Paper Industry, testified that said exhibit contains the definitions of papers and paper products as known in the industry; “The definitions are accepted in the industry as definitions of certain kinds of paper.” Another witness, referring to exhibit 2, testified that it is the only authority in the trade.
In view of the foregoing and upon more mature reflection I am convinced that the cases of Mills & Gibb, supra, Wilson v. United States, 14 Ct. Cust. Appls. 234, T. D. 41717 and United States v. Douglas, 6 Ct. Cust. Appls. 100, T. D. 35342, are not any authority for holding the pulpboard herein to be embossed by the application of the rule that the only real test that can safely or logically be applied here is whether the embossed effects are, or are not, in fact perceptible to the eye when the pulpboard is held in the light at ordinary or reading distance. One of the quoted definitions states that embossed pulpboard is pulpboard that has been passed through metal rollers upon which a design has been cutv For the purpose off determining whether or not this pulpboard passed through or between two or more metal rollers, one of which was indented or upon which a design had been cut, no better evidence could be furnished than the testimony of the manufacturer, or of a person who was familiar with, and who observed the manufacturing process or operation. For the purpose of determining whether or not a material or article is figured the above authorities are accepted as the law, but I am unable to see where they have any application in determining whether or not the involved pulpboard is embossed.
This case is materially different from the former case, reported as T. D.. 49112, in that in this case the sole issue is whether the pulpboard is or is not embossed, whereas in the former case the issue was whether the pulpboard was or was not embossed, printed, or decorated or ornamented in any manner, counsel having agreed at the trial of the former case that the issue therein was whether the merchandise therein was or was not “embossed, printed, or decorated, or ornamented in any manner.”
In Stiner v. United States, 2 Ct. Cust. Appls. 347, in holding certain post cards to be embossed, the appellate court said:
Embossing implies not only a perceptibly raised surface but a raised surface which, is distinctively and perceptibly a form, figure, or design.
If the only real test that can safely and logically be applied here is whether the so-called embossed effects are, or are not, in fact perceptible to the eye when the pulpboard is held in the light at ordinary or reading distance, then we should not only be able to see a perceptibly *71raised surface but a perceptibly raised surface which is distinctively and perceptibly a form, figure, or design. If upon such examination we are able to see a perceptibly raised surface which is distinctively and perceptibly a form, figure, or design, the question immediately arises: What is the form, figure, or design which we see? A so-called pin-prick effect is certainly not a perceptibly raised surface which is distinctively and perceptibly a .form, figure, or design. If we are unable to describe any form, figure, or design appearing on the pulp-board, then the answer must be that we do not see one. A description of any form, figure, or design which my associates see or find upon this pulpboard is singularly lacking in their opinion.
1 have carefully examined exhibit 1, a sample of the merchandise herein, and fail to see any perceptibly raised surface which answers the definitions of “embossing” hereinbefore set out.
For the purpose of showing the process of manufacture of the instant pulpboard, the plaintiff called a witness formerly from Vienna, who, after being properly qualified, stated that large pieces of wood are made into smaller pieces, and that the smaller pieces are washed and granulated between two stones in large vats with water; that the large pieces which are ground into small fine particles are then taken out with a net; that the remainder of the mass is then allowed to flow out in a large vat and is pumped upstairs, and there it goes on to a machine which has a large ribbonlike band made of cloth; that the material runs on that band and after that band is a second band that allows only a certain amount of the mass to pass through, and that it then goes through steel rollers which are set according to the thickness desired and from there it goes immediately to the drying chamber, where it is heated; that the rollers between which the merchandise passes are “All smooth, entirely smoothThat after it comes out of the drying chamber it is immediately cut, weighed, and packed. This was the only witness to testify who had any knowledge of the actual method or process of .manufacture of this pulpboard, and his testimony, therefore, stands without contradiction. When asked if there could have been any marks on the cylinders or rollers at the time the water is squeezed out that would cause this so-called pin-prick effect, the witness answered: “Those rollers are entirely smooth.”
During the trial of this case the examiner who advisorily classified the merchandise was interrogated by Judge Dallinger as follows:
I would like to get your idea of ornamentation, decoration, embossing, etc. Assuming that the pulpboard just goes through the ordinary pulpboard making process and goes through smooth rollers with no indentations on the rollers, and then comes right out and after the water is squeezed out goes into the drying room, and nothing else'is done to it; in your opinion, would you consider that decorated, ornamented, or embossed?
The Witness. I would not. I would call that plain pulpboard.
*72The process of manufacture outlined by Judge Dallinger is the identical process by which the instant pulpboard was produced as shown by the uncontradicted testimony of the only witness who knew how it was produced. We thus have the Government's own witness admitting in effect that the instant pulpboard is not decorated, ornamented, or embossed.
Counsel for the plaintiff further interrogated this witness on this same point as follows:
Q. Mr. Neuwirth, I will repeat this question. Assume the merchandise in this case was made on a machine which had a wire conveyor, and then passed through two smooth rolls which were not indented, serrated, epgraved, or marked in any manner whatsoever, would the resultant product in your opinion be embossed or not? — A. It would not, the resultant product.
Q. The resultant product would not be embossed or decorated, is that correct?- — ■ A. That is right.
It is apparent from the foregoing that neither Judge Dallinger, nor the Government witness who advisoriiy classified this merchandise, was of the opinion that the only real test that can safely and logically be applied here is whether the so-called embossed effects are, or are not, in fact perceptible to the eye when the pulpboard is held in the light at ordinary or reading distance.
From the decision in the case of United States v. White, 2 Ct. Cust. Appls. 80, T. D. 31632, it would appear that the appellate court considered embossing as an additional process to which the pulpboard was subjected after it had become pulpboard. In the case of United States v. Brown, 5 Ct. Cust. Appls. 212, T. D. 34380, the merchandise consisted of whole sheepskins which had been split, tanned, and dressed and then subjected to a process known as dicing. For this purpose the skin was fastened upon a revolving drum and lines w ere traced upon its surface by means of pressure from an edged disk. The lines covered the entire surface of the leather and subdivided it into tiny squares, which gave to it the so-called diced effect. The Government contended this was virtually an embossing process. In disposing of this case, the appellate court said:
* * * It may, indeed, be claimed that the slightly depressed lines which are traced upon the surface of diced leather serve to bring the inclosed squares into relative prominence, and thus give them the appearance and effect of raised figures. This, however, in the case of the present merchandise is theoretical rather than actual, and it is hardly fitting that the assessment of the merchandise should depend upon so nominal a consideration, for in point of fact the present article does not present the appearance of raised figures or figures in relief upon its surface, nor has it been subjected to the processes commonly used for that result.
:}: ^ # # ‡ #
The court, therefore, holds that the merchandise at bar is not embossed or gauffre leather, and the decision of the board to that effect is affirmed.
*73TRe plaintiff introduced tlie testimony of five witnesses, each of whom stated positively, after proper qualification, that exhibit 1, representing the involved merchandise, .was not embossed. These same witnesses also testified in effect that the merchandise was not printed, decorated, or ornamented in any manner. As against this the defendant offered the testimony of only the examiner who ad-visorily classified this merchandise, who stated that the merchandise was decorated, embossed, and ornamented, although this same witness had previously admitted in effect that the instant pulpboard was not decorated, ornamented, or embossed. However, after testifying-that pulpboard which has a uniform raised ,and depressed surface design is embossed, this witness stated positively that exhibit 1 was embossed, and that the pin-prick effect on exhibit 1 does not run uniform, and that some have more perforations than others. If pulpboard must have a uniform raised and depressed surface in order to be embossed, and the pin-prick effect on exhibit 1 does not run uniform, and some have more perforations than others, how then can it be said that exhibit 1 is embossed?
The testimony of the second witness offered by the defendant need not be given any serious consideration for the reason that the witness was entirely lacking in qualifications to testify concerning pulpbdard embossed or not embossed, and such testimony as this witness did give does not aid the court in determining this question.
Although witness Kurzman testified, referring to some unidentified portion of exhibit 1, that he saw a raised surface, he also testified as follows:
Q. Would you regard it as ornamented board? — A. No.
Q. As embossed board? — A. No.
Q. Printed board? — A. No.
The testimony of witness Kurzman that he saw a raised surface on some portion of exhibit 1 is not testimony that exhibit 1 was embossed decorated or ornamented.
The testimonial record in this case consists of the testimony of nine different witnesses and comprises 172 typewritten pages, in which counsel for both parties were attempting to show by oral testimony what constituted embossing. If the only real test that can safely and logically be applied here is whether the embossed effects are, or-are not, in fact perceptible to the eye when the pulpboard is held in the light at ordinary or reading distance, it would appear that for that purpose this court is as compe teirt to judge as any of the nine witnesses, and there would be no reason or excuse for taking any testimony after the sample, exhibit 1, was admitted in evidence, which was admitted at the top of page 4 of the typewritten record.
*74I am not unmindful of the authorities holding samples to be potent witnesses, nor do I overlook the decisions hereinbefore referred to holding that “whether a cloth is figured or not is judged by its appearance to the eye,” but for the reasons heretofore set out, I do not feel this is a proper case for the application of those principles to the exclusion of any consideration of the testimony submitted. In my view the principles laid down by the appellate court in United States v. Macksoud, 27 C. C. P. A. 218, are applicable to this case. We quote the following from that case:
With respect to the testimony in the case, it should be said that there has been no effort to establish a commercial designation of the term “straight hemstitching” different from the common meaning of the term. Of course, the rule is that where testimony relates to common meaning only, it is not binding upon the courts, but there are situations in which it is proper to look to it in connection with the merchandise itself and in connection with the definitions of lexicographers and technical authorities. United States v. Scruggs-Vandervoort-Barney Dry Goods Co., supra. We think the instant controversy presents a situation of that character and, hence, have examined the testimonial record with great care.
I see little, if any, difference in determining from an examination of the sample alone whether or not certain stitching on merchandise is “straight hemstitching,” and determining from an examination of the sample whether or not pulpboard is “embossed.” Indeed if such testimony is not to be considered under any circumstances, then why should the witnesses be permitted to give such testimony to the extent of 172 typewritten pages? I fully recognize the fact that such testimony is not binding upon the court, but I also recognize the fact, as has the appellate court, that there are situations in which it is proper to look to it in connection with the merchandise itself and in connection with lexicographers and technical authorities. I believe, as did the appellate court in the Macksoud case, supra, that the instant controversy presents a situation of that character and I have, therefore, examined the testimonial record with great care.
In this case I have looked to the testimony of the witnesses as to the common meaning of the term “embossed” in connection with the merchandise itself and in connection with the definitions of lexicographers and technical authorities, and after thoroughly considering and weighing all the evidence, I am satisfied, and so hold, that the merchandise in this case is not embossed within the meaning of that term as used in said paragraph 1413. I accordingly hold that said merchandise is not dutiable under said paragraph, as assessed by the collector. Since the merchandise is not embossed, it answers all the requirements of paragraph 1402 of said act for pulpboard, not embossed, decorated, or ornamented. It should be held dutiable at only 10 per centum under said paragraph 1402, as claimed by the plaintiff.
For the reasons hereinbefore stated I am compelled to dissent from the majority opinion in this case.