New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-19
CUSTOMS IRREG UL4RIIIES.

WAhEuOUSENEN AMI
ACTION OF THE AUTHORITIES IN REGARD TO sUs-
PEcTED wAREHOUsRs-A SYSTEM OF SMUGGLING
IN PASSENGERS TRUNKs-AssERTED COMPLETELY
or OFFICIAIS-wORK OF THE UNITED STATES
COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS.
1t is understood that among the matters
which are to be thoroughly investigated in this city is
the position Of bonded warehouseen against several Of
whom grave charges have been made 1t is alleged that
some Of them who own adjoining bonded and free stores
have In the habit OF compromising viIlnous SUM-
commonly representing gin, and without paying the
revenue OF 30 cents a gallon, placing this mannac
tured liquor in their warehouses and then transferring
it to imported casks thus cvadng also the payment OF
the duty OF 40 gallon, and the ad yalorem tax
of ST. thereby defrauding the Government out
Of the total tax OF 50 80 a gallon. IL IL stated
that sufficient evidence had already been obtained to
establish fraud the part OF owners OF Two warehouses
IN Soonest OF which is already under Government
scrutiny and that fraudulent process has been car
red on for long time past. The practice OF giving the
privilege of establishing bonded warehouses TO all app
cants who may pay 500, and furnish bonds without
regard TO their previous standing Is condemned by the
Washington authorities.
It's generally believed that during the coming week
several seizures will be made In conversation with
TRIBUNE reporter yesterday, several warchousemen OF
unquestionable standing in the community united III the
statement that frauds of the character mentioned had
been carried for time past by Adventures ana
bad character who had into the business Tor
the purpose defrauding the Government and had cut
down prices and made legitimate transactions unprofa
bic to honest warchousemen.
SMUGGLING IN BAGGAGE on STEAMERS.
II was stated yesterday Ivy persons who claim to be
perfectly familiar with the subject, that information has
reached the authorities Washington that system OF
smuggling goods into this port has prevailed Tor some
time. and that numerous inspectors ana CuStomho>c
officials. whose have not yet been mentioned in
connection with wrong arc involved In the frauds.
systematic scheme of fraud has prevailed asserted
for long time past and tho persons who compose tie
smuggling Ring are merchants OF respectable standing in
this city with Ctohouse officers here and with allies
on the other side Of the Atlantic In verication OF this
statement q merchant OF high position in this
city made statement to TRIBUNE repor-
ter yesterday i'll regard to what he dts
covered when travelling abroad. Ec does not wish TO
have his name appear unless his statement should be
called In question: and then lie Is willing to make affidavit
TO the truth of his story. He said:
AZ you are aware has been necessary for the firm
with which am connected. for many years past to have
daily dealings with the CusiOn-louSc officials As
sequence am well acquainted with them. A short time
ago to Europo pleasure trip with ny family.
and in London and Paris was surprised to large
number of exCustornLousc Inspectors and detectives
who sent 20 Europe to watch snuegiers. They all
boarded ai the highest priced hotels YET knew that they
hadn't dollar in the world when they went int, the
Government service. and could not under3tand ne
source OF their income After making my tour ana re-
turning 70 Paris announce in the pres nee OF some OF
them that was homeward bound" Then they winked
Significantly one to another and one o. tnel tolk me
side and said. want You 10 let two or trte trunks
Of mine 70 your It's all right; you
neein bother abou; it, The telegraph a modern
GERS on the other side will pass them You must only
keep quiet and not dsclam them. Everything else VIII
party 10 smuggling if that was what was meant but the
tx-CustOm house official shrugged his shoulders. dis
claimed any such intention and simply pleaded II any
trunks 60 in your that you don't own favor me by
not disclaimng them ,,
aboard the ship and then five trunks not beoncng to
me sent with me in my nlme ought not 10 omit
stating that before e proposition 20 carry tese trunks
through had been made these cX0cal took me 10 sew
cra places where the finest aCes, silks, gloves and such
things were sold made purchases ana urged me TO do the
arrived in Ncw-Yorb harbor my trunks and those in
my name not belonging to me were passed without ex
with exception never found ont. The exceptional
the impudcnce to send me bill for tho carage and ex
pensc of getting II from the steamer This process Of
Systematically and only when in such cases as the
French mOdistcs. who in their nOvitiate, and did
not understand that they must make cOnedcates Of tho
Cusomhousc inspectors that the systematic smuggers
arrested. ] not "a detective, but a merchant
an inforner, and Therefore have not made it my bust
however really want to know the facts and persons, let
them come to Inc and will tell them
ATTITUDE OF COMMISSIONER JOHNSON.
The Hon. ii. c. johnson, United States Commissioner
Of Customs, whose arrival in this city Announced
yesterday, said to TRIBUNE reporter that his visit TO
NewYork had reference to frauds. He was
simply performing his ordinary official duty, and would
remain here two three days 1t is asserted by others
that the Commissioner is carrying ont tho policy fore
Swallowed in his report and recommendations to the
Secretary Of the Treasury. IL will be remem-
bered that he made report the subject Of
the vast amount Of dutiablo merchandise which
has been allowed to enter the several ports (par-
ticularly New-York) as Passengers baggage This
"a TINA Of for
lie has tried to devise for the prevention OF this
escape Of the payment OF duties For this purpose he
held all investigation in the upper part OF the city, and
He especially searching in his inquiries OF the In
spectors and the result of the investigation the
ing OF order that only such amount Of baggage
Is in present and necessary for the comfort aud
convenience Of the passenger shall be passed by nspec
tors others The word convenience however consid
araby mobiles the strngency OF the order nasmuch
it is open to wide n,erprsta0 ,n.. ooso,o,
time with the Collector surveyor and Naval Officer and
valuations recently noted in The TRIBUNE up for
consideration
STATEMENT OF AN IMPORTING HOUSE.
As the name It large uptown importing house has
been mentioned in connection with the alleged underyal
uation OF goods passn through the Appraiser depart
ment of this port recently discovered by the Special
Agent Of the Treasury a reporter Of THE TRIBUNE yes
terday called upon them in relation to the matter.
member of the firm stated that he aware that such
rumors had been in circulation but thea firm were well
prepared to prove their utter fasy The~cbarges
the work OF rival houses, and for several months past
every effort had been made In the Appraisers depart
nent, through this evil influence to bring specific
charge against the house. All the firms nportations
had been subjected To the most careful examination Not
in ten had been examined generally the
custom, but each had been opened each
broken openand sctinzed This had gres
injury TO the firms business, In many instances causing
delays In the receipt OF goods that In time prove
fatal 10 any house. AT time 1t stated that the
firm had lis OF imported goods in the Appraisers
store for nearly four weeks and unable to remove
them though they fulfilled all obligations under the law
Al times they had been compelled TO offer ,ed va
atoms where required, deemng II better TO
cOncedc two three per cent rather than as the result
OF delay have the goods left their hands al the con
clusiOn OF season. IL recognized fact that some
importers had through COLLISION passed their goods Al