New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-19
ALLEGED SUGAR FRAUDS.
APPRAIsALS BELOW VALUE.


RESULTS OF AK INVESTIGATION BY CUSTOM HOUSE
MISREPRESENTATION loss TO THE GOyfR SIESF
OF sc, 000,O0 IN ONE YEAR.
Special Treasury Agents have been engaged
for time investigating alleged fraLcs in Weigh
ing sanping sugars, both imported and for export
Complaints were received By Collector Merits aud
by Secretary Sherman, from merchants Of Ncw-Y0rk,
Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and an nyestga-
ton was begun about two ago. Special Tro4suFy
Agents Chamberlain and Ayres OF Washington. Nr Ran.
same expert of this city. and corps Of experienced
samplers aud examiners being selected for the work ~
is claimed that the issued by Collector Merritt
called for such searching investigation that IL placed
the department in a position to compare the actual
true samples Of eargoes OF IN the bonded ware
houses with previous appraisement that there could
be escape from legal responsibility should the alleged
fraud be discovered The position taken by the SPECIAL
agents was that no importer re1ner who had fait
fully complied with the law could object TO resamplng
Of his cargoes whereas those who had resorted to bb
cry or ether improper 20 Obtain low eassac2
ton of sugars. would at once be detected.
1t is reported that the Government examiners have
already discovered frauds OF alarming character In
every instance samples have been preserved, many OF
which said to show that by improper cassica-
tiOn sugars which should have honestly paid duty OF
pa pound have paid only cents and that those
which came under a cent duty passed through
the Custom House pound. The evidence it
is claimed shows that this system Of fraud has been go
ing several years. and Is estimated that the loss
to the United States has been least S6OOOOOO
year. The amount collected In 1877 on sugars im-
ported into the United States sugars under No
T. SIG 600; under No. TO- $5000000; over No. 10,
So 600 0O0 total $34 100000 1t Is claimed by Treas
ury Agents. importers rehners and Others that the Gov
eminent should collected, If honesty had prevailed
at least S4O.0OO,000 II is further stated that the
Treasury Agents have with obstacles in the
Of their investigation, by the removal OF sugars IN
bond, and that in order to secure test before the
sugars were cast into boiling pots, where identity
would have been lost that they were compelled in sew
era instances to follow the sugars lighters and into
the refinery In these is charged tina the I'M
proper classification was most marked Another
branch Of the investigation Is the question OF
weights, and most Of the cargoes OF sugar in
bond have been reweighed to ascertain what
il any has been allowed in special cases IL
Is charged that IN some OF the cases under Investigations
difference OF 100 pounds in each hogshead has been dis
The most serious frauds are said to have been dis
covered I'm the sugars sampled for export Custom
Uonae ieais admit that tins is branch Of the
bnsIness where frauds practsed most easily and
TO prevent rehners frOm shipping inherent graue OF
en- Jar from that on which drawbacks received, Col
ector Merritt designated otcers TO Natch tue car
goes exported aud TO test them after they reae the DOCK
for shipment one Othe charges preferred against certain
reiners is that they introduced glucose and cnemeaS
m the manufacture OF sugars for export ana that IN TINS
y The revenue laws are defeated by shipping the same
STYLE of sugar which heavy drawback are pad Out
of a much inferior quality. 10 meet TINS enarge W q
tbornneh I'M yestigatOn It is stated that Government
chemists for several weeks have been making ests OF
sugars and syrups exported IN Ofdef 10 report WHAT O-
nations OF glucose and grape sugar have been added TO
me syrup or sugar As proof OF the great use OF gu
cose IL Is shown from the custom House tecod!s lss
the immigration has increased In value from $500 ID
1873 70 1898 800 III 1877. AS it pays no duty, IT'S
claimed tla N Is fraud the Government 70 demand
dra wback for II when manufactured INTO sugar inc
oath faken by exporters declares what particular I'M
narration the sugars exported manufactured ton'
ana be special agents claim that any mixture Of foreign
Substances in such sugars will bring the matter Under
me crmiual law To make this branch OF the lnFesusa-
zion complcte IL IS stated tnat United states consular
agents abroad have been instructed TO maze an eAAn
non az the sugars exported from this country ana 20
Tnort AZ once and that should these reports show t9at
the tatoDs were up the standard on WHICH
draw6Rcks we're paid suits will be instituted By the
overnment against the guilty exporters TO recover ms
money thus Illegally drawn from the Ohlteu 0'"'eS
Treasury. ,.-..s q. u,,ort I'm
writing the result OF the investigation, ana shOuiuN
hear ont the evidence Of fraud said 10 nave been Cd
tanned Collector Merritt Will at once orGer re-
non and suits Will be instituted COiOhe Chah-
Seriaiu declines 10 furnish any information on the SUD
ieet He will submit his report in a few days.