Mr. Adee to Mr. Clayton.
Washington , September 21, 1903 .
Sir: Referring to your No. 1942, of the 5th instant, in further relation to the compulsory collection of an alien tax at El Paso, Tex., from the secretary of the Japanese legation, en route through the United States to Japan, I have to inform you that the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, in a letter of the 10th instant, states that he is of the opinion that the action of administrative officers in collecting a head tax on account of the diplomatic and consular officers of foreign countries seeking admission into the Uuited States is in error, and he accordingly has requested the Secretary of the Treasury to issue instructions to the collectors of customs, who are alone authorized by law to collect this tax, to refrain from taking such action on account of the entrance into the United States of the diplomatic and consular officers of foreign countries.
I am, etc.,
Acting Secretary.