Pressner v. United States

DISSENTING OPINION

Foed, Judge:

I find myself unable to join in the conclusion reached by my associates in this case.

In its brief filed herein, counsel for the Government makes the following concession:

The record shows that the articles at bar are chiefly used in the household. The component material in chief value of the said articles is presumed to be metal, they having been classified under paragraph 397. Therefore, their proper dutiable status should be under paragraph 339 at 40% ad valorem as household utensils.
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In view of the foregoing, it is the Government’s contention that the protest should be sustained and the merchandise held properly dutiable at 40 per centum ad valorem under paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1930 as household utensils.

The record herein fully supports the concession that the involved articles are chiefly used in the household. This case, therefore, presents only a question of law, to wit: Are the involved articles dutiable under paragraph 397, as articles or wares, not specially provided for, composed of metal, as classified by the collector, or are they dutiable under paragraph 339, as household utensils of the kind therein made dutiable at 40 per centum ad valorem? In view of the fact that the record establishes that the involved articles are needle-cases furnished with assortments of needles or combinations of needles and other articles, the question is also presented as to whether they are dutiable under paragraph 343, although that claim is not contained in the protest.

*40In support of its claim that the involved merchandise should be separately classified under the various paragraphs set out in the majority opinion, counsel for the plaintiff cites the case of Levin Bros. v. United States, 11 Cust. Ct. 74, C. D. 797. I cannot agree that the Levin case, supra, supports the plaintiff’s contention herein. In the Levin case, the merchandise consisted of a cardboard box having a cellophane opening in the top and containing two needles, one thimble, and five cardboard cylinders upon which cotton thread was wound, but because of its flimsy construction the court held that the box did not respond to the definition of a “case” within the meaning of paragraph 343 of the Tariff Act of 1930, and, therefore, held the items of merchandise to be separately dutiable under the different paragraphs, as claimed by the plaintiff therein.

The difference in the facts in the Levin case and in the instant case distinguishes the two cases and renders inapplicable here the pronouncements made in the Levin case, supra.

In United States v. Poirier & Lindeman, 6 Ct. Cust. Appls. 239, T. D. 35470, the merchandise involved was described in the opinion as follows:

The typical exhibit in the case is a cylindrical box about inches long and a little less than 1 inch in diameter fitted at one end with a cap or cover. It contains a celluloid thimble and a hollow celluloid bobbin upon which thread is wound. The bobbin is also fitted with a cap, and within it two pins and two needles are inclosed. So made up it is concededly celluloid in chief value, the celluloid of course being a manufacture of pyroxylin.

In disposing of the case, the appellate court said:

* * * We agree with the board that the provision for needlecases in paragraph 135 is more specific than the provision for finished or partly finished articles of which collodion or any compound of pyroxylin is the component material of chief value in paragraph 25, because if the articles here are needlecases they are only one of the great variety of articles which may be composed in chief value of collodion or some compound of pyroxylin.

It is also observed that in United States v. Cross Co., 10 Ct. Cust. Appls. 58, T. D. 38335, the appellate court held articles, 3 inches long, 1% inches wide, and 1% inches deep, fitted with two spools of thread and a paper folder of needles, to be properly classifiable under paragraph 135 of the Tariff Act of 1913, as needlecases or needlebooks furnished with assortments of needles or combinations of needles and other articles. In that case, the competing paragraph provided for bags, baskets, belts, satchels, card cases, pocketbooks, jewel boxes, portfolios, and other boxes and cases, permanently fitted and furnished with traveling, bottle, drinking, dining, luncheon, and similar sets.

Both the Poirier and Cross cases arose under the Tariff Act of 1913 and, naturally, the provision for needlecases was not drawn into competition with the language of paragraph 339 of the Tariff *41Act of 1930, since tbe latter provision appeared for tbe first time as paragraph 339 of tbe Tariff Act of 1922. In view of tbe differences in tbe provisions drawn into competition in tbe Poirier and Cross cases and tbe provisions drawn into competition in tbe instant case, it is apparent that those decisions could not have any controlling effect in tbe present case.

In United States v. Ellis Silver Co., 16 Ct. Cust. Appls. 570, T. D. 43297, tbe appellate court quoted with approval tbe following definition of “Utensil” from Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary (1925):

Utensil, n. Something that is used; a thing serving a useful purpose; formerly a thing of varied use; as, utensils of war or observation; now, more especially an implement or vessel for domestic or farming use; as, kitchen utensils.

In tbe same case, tbe appellate court definitely denominated paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1922 as a “use” or “chief use” paragraph by tbe following language:

From the quoted definitions of the terms “hollow ware,” “utensil,” and “vessel,” and from the language of the provisions of paragraphs 327 and 339, we are of opinion that the Congress had no intention of including in paragraph 339 articles designed and chiefly used for ornamental purposes. On the contrary, we think that it was the purpose to include only such articles as are chiefly used for utilitarian purposes, such as might be denominated utensils, whether of hollow or flat ware. This view is fortified somewhat by the history of the legislation.
The provisions of paragraph 339 are far more comprehensive than those of prior tariff acts. Nevertheless, there is no indication that the Congress intended to extend the scope of the paragraph to include articles other than those having the essential character of utensils. Accordingly, we hold that only such articles as are designed and chiefly used for utilitarian purposes — utensils—are within the provisions for table, household, kitchen, and hospital utensils; and that only such articles as are in the form, generally, of vessels, and are of the character of utensils, designed and used chiefly for utilitarian purposes, are included within the provisions for hollow ware.
Without intending to give expression to any opinion with regard to the omission of the word “similar” in paragraph 339, it may be said that the addition of the word “household” must have been intended to extend the operation of the paragraph. Surely, there is no more reason for limiting the scope of the paragraph to such hollow and flat wares as are similar to unplated kitchen utensils than there is to limit the provision for household, hospital, and table utensils to such as are of the character of kitchen utensils.

In United States v. The Friedlaender Co., 21 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 103, T. D. 46445, after quoting tbe findings of fact made by tbe trial court, tbe Court of Customs and Patent Appeals said:

It was then held that, under the facts as found, the case was controlled by the decision of this court in United States v. Ellis Silver Co., 16 Ct. Cust. Appls. 570, T. D. 43297, and that of the United States Customs Court in Friedlaender Co. v. *42United States, T. D. 44796, 59 Treas. Dec. 860, “wherein paragraph 339 of the act of 1922 has been judicially construed as one predicated solely upon use.”

In Henry Pels & Co. v. United States, 27 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 1, C. A. D. 51, the Court of Customs and. Patent Appeals said:

It has been frequently held that where the doctrine of chief use is made the test of classification, it will prevail over an eo nomine provision, the effort being always to arrive at the legislative intent. Factor v. United States, 15 Ct. Cust. Appls. 401, T. D. 42570.

The Court of Customs and Patent Appeals, in the Factor case, supra, beld as follows:

We are not unmindful of the eo nomine rule, to which our attention has been called. It has been many times held, however, that the eo nomine rule can not prevail as against the doctrine of chief use, where it is made the test of classification. United States v. Hillier’s Son Co., 14 Ct. Cust. Appls. 216, T. D. 41706, and cases cited.
Whether the Congress intended that articles of this character and description should be covered by the provision for “ijencils” in paragraph 1451 need not here be determined, because, if it were so held, it would, nevertheless, be necessary for us to hold them more specifically provided for under paragraph 62 on account of the doctrine of chief use, which is made the test of their classification by the language of the paragraph.

As an indication of how well settled the rule of chief use is and its controlling effect when applicable, I quote the following from United States v. Snow’s United States Sample Express Co., 8 Ct. Cust. Appls. 351, T. D. 37611:

The rule is so well settled that where Congress has provided for an article eo nomine in one paragraph of a tariff act, and in another paragraph of the same act employs language comprehensive of the other designation, and rates it for duty according to use or when used for a certain purpose, that such is a strong, though we do not here say always a conclusive, evidence of an intention upon the part of Congress to make that tise controlling, and states what may be deemed an exception to the eo nomine provision to be read in connection therewith. * * *
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In Magone v. Wiederer (159 U. S., 555) the doctrine of chief use as often employed by the Supreme Court was vigorously attacked by the Solicitor General. That attack was of such merit and force that the Supreme Court took occasion to review the decisions upon the subject and reaffirmed the doctrine, which the court recited as originating with Maillard v. Lawrence and resulting in the doctrine of chief use as applicable to customs cases as announced in Magone v. Heller and other decisions, and held the rule stare decisis in that court.

In harmony with the above, I also quote the following from United States v. Boker, 6 Ct. Cust. Appls. 243, T. D. 35472:

All these considerations imply and necessitate that the use of the implement must determine its classification whether or not an agricultural implement within the paragraph, and that that use, and the determinative fact, is chief use.
That rule is so well established and of such frequent reiteration by the courts that its suggestion seems sufficient. This court affirmed and applied the rule as to “smokers’ articles,” in Knauth v. United States (1 Ct. Cust Appls., 334; T. D. *4331432); as to “wire rods,” in Athenia Steel & Wire Co. v. United States (1 Ct. Cust. Appls., 494; T. D. 31528); applied it in Drakenfeld & Co. v. United States (2 Ct. Cust. Appls., 512; T. D. 32248); adopted it as to “jute manufacturing machinery” in United States v. Hempstead & Son (3 Ct. Cust. Appls., 436; T. D. 33004); and as to “philosophical and scientific instruments,” etc., in United States v. Kastor & Bros. (6 Ct. Cust. Appls., 52; T. D. 35323). In fact no principle is more firmly established in customs adjudication. Magone v. Wiederer (159 U. S., 555); Magone v. Heller (150 U. S., 70); Cadwalader v. Wanamaker (149 U. S., 532); Walker v. Seeberger (149 U. S., 541); Chew Hing Lung v. Wise (176 U. S., 156); Meyer v. Cadwalader (89 Fed., 963); Smith v. United States (93 Fed., 194).

In United States v. Hillier’s Son Co., supra, the appellate court had under consideration the proper classification of certain resin which was eo nomine provided for in paragraph 1584 of the Tariff Act of 1922, and which was also provided for in paragraph 5 of the same act as a medicinal preparation by reason of the use to which it was put. In holding the merchandise to be properly classifiable under paragraph 5, sufra, the appellate court employed the following language:

It is true that such preparation does not make it any less a resin, but it is, nevertheless, a medicinal preparation; that is, it has been prepared for use as a medicine.
We are of opinion that the merchandise upon the record of this case comes squarely within the decision in the McKesson case; and that it is a medicinal preparation and dutiable as such, unless the provision for “resins” contained in paragraph 1584 is a more specific designation.
The provision for “all medicinal preparations” is equivalent to an enumeration of every medicinal preparation not otherwise specially provided for by name. Merck & Co. v. United States, 6 Ct. Cust. Appls. 41, 42, 43, T. D. 35315.
The resin involved here is used for no other than medicinal purposes. It is a medicinal preparation. And while it is provided for as a “resin” in paragraph 1584, it is more specifically provided for, we think, as a medicinal preparation in paragraph 5. Vandiver v. United States, 1 Ct. Cust. Appls. 194, T. D. 31219; United States v. Hempstead & Son, 3 Ct. Cust. Appls. 436, T. D. 33004; United States v. Boker & Co., 6 Ct. Cust. Appls. 243, T. D. 35472; United States v. Ducommun Hardware Co., 7 Ct. Cust. Appls. 353, T. D. 36904; United States v. Irwin & Co., 7 Ct. Cust. Appls. 360, T. D. 36906; United States v. Wiebusch & Hilger, 7 Ct. Cust. Appls. 364, T. D. 36907; United States v. Stiner & Son, 7 Ct. Cust. Appls. 485, T. D. 37105; Togasaki & Co. et al. v. United States, 12 Ct. Cust. Appls. 463, T. D. 40667.

If, as stated in Snow’s United States Sample Express Co., supra, tbe rule is so well settled that where the Congress has provided for an article eo nomine in one paragraph, and in another paragraph of the same act employs language comprehensive of the other designation, and rates it for duty according to use, is strong evidence of an intention on the part of the Congress to make that use controlling, and states what may be deemed to be an exception to the eo nomine provision to be read in connection therewith, is to be given any consideration at all, it would appear to demand classification of the instant needlecases *44under paragraph 339, even though they are eo nomine provided for in paragraph 343.

Likewise, if the quotation from the Factor case, supra, is to be given any effect at all, it would require classification of the instant needlecases under paragraph 339.

It is readily conceded that all household utensils are not provided for in paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1930, but the holding of the majority that “* * * we think that the repeated provision in the last four tariff acts for ‘needle cases or needle books furnished with assortments of needles or combinations of needles and other articles’ is very persuasive of the intention of Congress not to invade that classification by the provision for household utensils,” [italics mine] is not convincing. While it is true that substantially the same language employed in paragraph 343 of the Tariff Act of 1930 also appeared in three previous tariff acts, it is also a fact that the language of paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1930 appeared for the first time in paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1922.

The apprehension expressed by my associates that “To hold otherwise would, we believe, render the provision for needlecases, paragraph 343, supra, practically inoperative,” is not supported by any facts in this record. So far as this record shows, the involved merchandise might be only one item out of one hundred where the merchandise was chiefly used in the household. Of course, if the merchandise is not chiefly used in the household, it is not a household utensil. It is also a matter of common knowledge, of which this court may take judicial notice, that the United States Army furnishes its enlisted personnel with sewing cases, running into the thousands annually. Such sewing cases are certainly not chiefly used in the household, and would, therefore, not be classified under paragraph 339.

Adverting to the concessions made by counsel for the Government, hereinbefore quoted, I wish to call attention to the decision in Wheeler, Elder & Elder v. United States, 11 Ct. Cust. Appls. 110, T. D. 38752, wherein was involved the proper classification of certain wood, lumber, or flooring. The following is quoted from that decision:

As to the flooring, the collector made the following entry upon his report in answer to the protest, viz: “I concede oak flooring, item ‘S-61’ is free.” We think that this report, which seems to be consistent with the evidence, should be given the effect of setting aside the assessment upon the item in question. * * *
The board’s decision is accordingly affirmed except as to the flooring described in the invoice as “S-61,” in which particular it is reversed.

It is not open to question that any concession which can be made by the collector as to his classification can also be made by the attorney representing the collector before this court. In this case, the collector, through his attorney, has conceded that the articles at bar are chiefly *45used in the household; that the component material in chief value of said articles is metal; and that their proper dutiable status should be under paragraph 339 at 40 per centum ad valorem as household utensils. “* * * it is the Government’s contention that the protest should be sustained and the merchandise held properly dutiable at 40 per centum ad valorem under paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1930 as household utensils.”

It is my view that this concession on the part of counsel representing the collector in this case, which seems to be consistent with the evidence, should be given the effect of setting aside the assessment upon the item in question. I see no difference in the collector conceding that oak flooring, item S-61, is free, in the Wheeler case, supra, and Government counsel, representing the collector in the instant case, conceding that the proper dutiable status of the involved merchandise should be under paragraph 339 at 40 per centum ad valorem as household utensils, that the protest should be sustained and the merchandise held properly dutiable at 40 per centum ad valorem under paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1930 as household utensils.

For the reasons heretofore stated, and in line with the authorities quoted and cited, it is my considered opinion that the merchandise designated on the invoice as item 4273 should be held dutiable under paragraph 339 of the Tariff Act of 1930 at 40 per centum ad valorem, as claimed by the plaintiff and conceded by the defendant. I, therefore, dissent from the conclusion reached by the majority herein.