611.937/20
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegraphic instruction No. 24 of January 19, 6 p.m., and subsequent correspondence regarding the imposition of a tax of $2.00 Mex. per picul on wood oil exported from Hankow, the Department transmits herewith a copy of a letter dated May 11, 1929, from the Werner G. Smith Company of Cleveland, Ohio,59 showing that that company has paid this tax in the sum of $46,093.94 and stating that it believes this amount should be refunded. This letter is transmitted for such action in the premises as you may consider warranted and advisable in the light of the information which you have concerning this tax, which, you will note, the Werner G. Smith Company states is no longer in effect.
A copy of the Department’s reply to the Werner G. Smith Company is transmitted herewith.59 You will inform the Department of any action which you may take in reference to the company’s request.
I am [etc.]