New-York tribune., 1873-07-23
ALLEGED HEAVY REVENUE FRAUDS.
SEVERAL HOUSES NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE
FRAUDS.

SEVERAL HOUSES NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF TIE
FRAUDS
The Custom-h house authorities for some time
mast have been investigating the affairs Of several in-
porters whose names withheld from publication
until the evidence against them could be moro clearly
obtained Within few days however, several seizures
OF papers books aud goods have been made, resulting
in the Implication OF several houses and among then
Edward Rorke Coz importers OF glass and chinaware,
NJ No 40 Barcay-st and Simon Haas OF No. 196 Church
st. importer OF linens &c. 1t reported that the
aforementioned house had been guilty Of Sc
rious frauds extending several years, and in
yolving them crminay and ciyiy TO the amount OF
s5OOO in penalties These statements however were
somewhat exaggerated, ii being asceTained that their
penalties would probably not exceed3 $4,000. II
was with great difficulty that the facts could be oh
tained but after long search 1t was learned from
those who appeared to know that the firm had
been guilty OF frauds III undertaking. their
goods upon their entry at the Custom-house
The manner in which the fraud is alleged TO have been
committed s as follows Rorkey & Co. imported large
quantities OF goods from saordshre, England and
terng them at the Custom-house, rauduently repre-
senting the cost OF handling, transportation &c,
to be about two-thirds less than was actually
the case. and thus decreasing the dutiablo
value of the goods the law requiring that all charges
except those consuls certificate shall be added to
the value Of the goods and the duties assessed upon the
total To accomplish this fraud 1t necessary TO be
guilty OF perjury at the time OF the entry Of the goods
at the CustOm-h0use.
A TRIBUNE reporter called at the store OF Messrs.
Rorke Co. with view to obtaining their statement
Of the case The members of the firm were absent but
an employ6 who was charge stated that they did not
know the details OF the seizure or the causes thereof He
said that some weeks since clerk who had charge OF
the Custom-house business Of the firm either left
or was discharged and the inference was that he was
the author Of the charges against them. Upon being
pressed for the Of the trouble the empoye stated
that IL had been reported to the firm that these shipping
expenses had not been properly entered, and were
ted as having been understaed III such was
the case this clerk had made false entries in order that
he might trouble for the house They intended TO
contest the An application for the name OF this
alleged dishonest clerk was met win refusal. Inc ne
Special Agent Jayne. but some OF them had since peen
The reporter soughtspecsl Az ent Jayne but he was
exceedingly reticent declaring THAT 1t was Preudlciai
10 an investigation TO publish before hhd been ICON
cuded. After much pressing he reluctantly declared
that the charges undervaluaton OF merchandise
aud concluded the interview by stating that the penal
ties would probably aggregate between sIOoU ana Ro'
OOO No suit, however, has yet been beguhI
The case OF Simon Haas OF Church-st was on small
scale involving several importations OF damask goods
aggregating about 5000 The latest transaction was
the Importation OF four cases OF coored damask
goods valued at I,lOO thalers, or about $500
lie had been charged with underyaluaton,
and his books and papers had been transferred to Special
Agent Jayne. A TRIBUNE reporter who made apphca
tion for the details informed that Mr. Haas was IN
Enrone and that further Information was desired
could be obtained from Mr.. Jayne Tnat gentleman
admitted that the affairs Of Mr Haas were undergoing
A. nyestiratou hut furnished no fresh facts.
Messrs Hartley Bros importers owhte goods, e1ing gong
bnsness st No 20 Walkerst. recently imported three
of merchandise, which were invoiced as cotton
goods on removing the cases one was burst open anu
tbe appraiser, VINO was present eeciasou '.o ~.
,no ,nods 20 Ie silk, and ordered them -, 70
The SEIZURE room for Investigation. IN, ihe ne
Castom-house authorities cay that the goods WILDE VIII De
appraised in order TO ASCERTAIN the proper
lion of cotton TO silk Up TO certain degree tney hv
COW AZ er cent duty and silk 90 per cent uaL TINS
is mado the matter cannot DO 'ofmou
fraud or seizure