File No. 812.512/295.
[Untitled]
Referring previous correspondence, oil companies feel that demands local customs authorities that bar taxes be paid Mexican gold or American gold at two for one when rate of exchange is three for one is entirely unjust especially as decrees of April, 1913, and February, 1914, make Carrancista currency bills legal tender. This ruling increases bar tax fifty per cent. This bar tax legally does not belong to Government but to railroad company for repair of the bar. Local officials in effort to collect this tax in American currency at two for one rate may have to stop shipments from this port. Refuse to dispatch American vessel Northwestern today but finally agreed to dispatch vessel pending return head of customhouse. Respectfully suggest that question of arbitrarily forcing rate of exchange two for one and refusal to accept Carrancista currency be taken up with the leading authorities. Really amounts to confiscation of property.