New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-29
IMPORTERS TROUBLES.
SEIZURE OF THE BOOKS OF JORDAN, MARSH
e. Co OF BOSTON

BOSTON, Dec. 2I-NO Hrm III DOstOh 10 pct-
ter known the public. and has enjoyed more
largely the public confidence and patronage 'hah 'he
firm Of Jordan Marsh Co. They have been established
for many wears having started small way and grad
ualy created dry goods business which now ngures In
the millions every year. In addition to their "hoesaie
trade, which has made them well-khowh 10 neronan's
and dealers throughout the country they have great
retail business in all kinds Of dry goods ana Wohens
wearing apparel which brings them into intimate com
munication with the general public Every lazy I'D Dos
ton finds IL necessary sooner to her carriage
in front Of their door, and every servant girl mas her
wants anticipated their shelves In short thcy are
the Stewards OF Boston. They occupy fne building on
Washington-st which just escaped the Boston hre
They have passed through the financial Crisis uhscatheu
Any suspicion OF their good credit heresy III imam
cia circles have never heard before OF their honesty
ana integrity being questioned
The case has been for time under charge OF Nor
man W. Bingham, special agent, who has gathered
large amount Of evidence which eminent lawyer and
member OF Congress to whom it has been submitted
pronounced strong enough to convict any firm. gon-
teman in Boston, istanding high In official Circles
familiar with many such cases. remarked mat the case
was a very plain one much palmer than usual BE this
"a it may Mr. Bingham developed his case this week
and laid it before the United States District Attorney
AID Judge Lowell Judge Lowell declared his willing
ness to give warrant for the books and Oh the
affidavit OF Mr.. Bingham. An affidavit was accordingly
made charging the firm with the Illegal importation OF
large quantities OF merchandise
linens dress goods accs silk and velvet costumes ana
other articles Of womens wearing apparel. The war
rant was placed in the hands Of United States Marshal
Usher, who made the seizure to-day
The fraud alleged is embraced in several clauses a.
The importation OF dutable merchandise without
ment Of any duty which in common parlance Is called
smuggling. g. The importation OF merchandise upon
false invoices cost for the purpose OF eiecting
false classification and enabling the importer to bring
in his goods at less than tho legal rate. (3J The
importation Of merchandise which the importer
claimed have invoice. and Therefore Effected an
entry upon apprasement at less than the cost o. The
entry Of upon false and fictitious invoices
o. The entry OF merchandise upon invoices upon which
appeared false and fictitious discounts, whereby the
duty assessed would than tho true duty the i'm
porers having provided invoices which stated the true
condition OF the purchase, which differed from the Gus
toms invoice to- The entry OF merchandise by means
of invoices In which the charges Of cartoons, packing.
&c, did appear. although IN the private memoran-
DUN account the firm charged with and paid for
the same.
Tho omissions and fictitious discounts before
toned in very many affected the classification
40 as to throw the goods into lower rate than the true
rate OF duty whereby it is alleged that the Govern
ment has suffered great losses much more thaHwould
at first appear from the apparent value of the omissions
discounts and discrepancies
The Government officers claim that In the execution
OF their search warrant they have obtained possess
sion Of letters, private invoices, memoranda. aud
counts current which fully establish the allegations
in the complaint The amount sued for will fall short
OF million Of dollars. The amount lost to the revenue
can only be ascertaned by careful computation, so
that it il idle TO undertake say what the amount
is The officers andng positive evidence OF fraud suih
cent TO warrant the application for seizure. have
it, and after they shall have had opportunity
carefully inspect the papers the amount oi loss to
the revenue will appear, and not till then.
The warrant only covered the time from the list OF
January, 1862 to the present date for the reason that
the limitations Forbid any investigation previous
to time. Suspicious have been entertained against
this house for than year. Secret Investigation
was begun many months ago. considerable part Of
the information which the case is based comes from
across the The officers not prepared yet to
disclose their sources Of evidence.
The Judge has ordered the books to be examined by
Mr. Bingham and his assistants II such an examination
satisfies the District Attorney that fraud has been
inited and that the allegation be sustained. suit
Will be brought III the United States District Court
EXCITEMENT OVER THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
THE BOoKs-How THE ALLEGED FRAUDS WERE
ACCoMPIIsHED-THE ACCUSED DECLARE THEIR
INNOCENCE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
BosroN, Dec. 2S-The seizure of the books
OF Jordan Marsh Co. has created little excitement
The action OF the Customs officers the probable issue
Of the case very freely discussed The numerous
friends Of the firm not willing yet to withdraw their
confidence the honesty and integrity OF It's members,
and every Of their host OF customers heartily wishes
hem thorough excu pation. The Customs officers are
inclined keep their counsel but confident
Of success Nothing has been done by them since the
seizure. The books and papers will be formally |
passed over to the Court tomorrow. report |
was In circulation to-day that the books had been |
returned TO Jordan Marsh Co.. or that they will be
turned to-norrOw The only foundation for the report
les in the fact certain Of the books seized
lured In the daily business OF the firm and these not
being OF prime importance in the Investigation will be
surrendered 10 the firm their giving receipt for
hem and binding themselves to deliver them TO the
ulcers on demand The firm will probably make ap-
,lcation in court to this effect and 1t will not
Do resisted by the Customs officers II IL does not include
more than has been mentioned above. The officers
lain TO have sufficient evidence independent Of these
looks to substantiate their allegations.
The books seized number about co. comprising ledgers
Law books cash books English invoice books, French
invoice books and letter books. The papers seized
numerous and vouminous 1t will require with the force
which the Judge has authorized to examine the same,
week at least to determine fully what they will disclose
,orman W. Bingham and his assistants Kimball, More
ouse Davis and Graves will have charge OF the exam
alton One Of tho most important items In the seizure
) q large number Of private invoices. which do not
gree with invoices upon which entries made at
be Custom house, although In the oath required upon
ntry the firm had declared that the invoice produced
pom entry the only invoice Of which they had know
dge. this point the prosecution claim to have
vheming Ievidence- indeed TO rest tho entire
sse According to this statement the accused firm
perated about In this wise: ..- -.-"
Heavy importations Of goods were engaged from for
hons Win dvise Marsh ~. "a
method Of doing business with the Custom house. In
with instructions these foreign dealers reg
ary made two Invoices one giving the true price
4 the goods which forwarded TO Jordan, Marsh d
o. and used basis for settling the account another
invoice made by tho sellers stating the goods at
,rces less than their sale value introducing
fictitious discounts TO hoodwink the customs officials