New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-10-29

FOR 100000.
The Custom House officials have discovered frauds
of an extensive character involving X. A.
Pedrick, a clerk employed by Bernhard d
Hutton, importers of dry goods in Broome-st
Pedriek is charged with embezzling $108.00 of
the firms money, entrusted to him to pay Customs
duties, and with forging permits for passing
goods through the Custom House. He has
been missing since the discovery OF the crime
The Government has brought proceedings against
Bernhard & Hutton, and Levi F. Morton, their Sc
curity, to recover $4,000. the full penalty on
their bond as importers.
HOW THE CRIME WAS DISCOVERED.
About two weeks ago the Customs officials
began examining the goods in the borded warehouses
belonging Bernhard Hutton. for the purpose Of dis
charging the securities the bond, preparatory
to accepting new bond for the ensuing
threo years. About this time II. A. Pedrick,
tie Customs clerk ot Bernhard Il Hutton. visited
the Custom House. and his atteron was called TO the
large number of OF goods tered in 1875, which
had not been Withdrawn. The Custom House clerk re-
marked to Pedrick, II these goods belonged TO any
other firm than Bernhard & Hinton, should say that
there something crooked In t." Pedrck colored and
appeared DO very uneasy but lhughingy responded
There something crooked In t how soon will you
be able to fix itupi"
The Custom House clerk Immediately reported tile con
yersatOn 10 DeputyColector Osborne and an inYesga
ton was ordered by Collector Merritt. Deputy-Coector
Osborne sent telegraphc dis patch to Charles G. Ian
don, q member of the firm or Bernhard Il
Hutton, requesting his immediate presence at
the Custom House, and upon hts arrival lac was in-
formtd that there large discrepancy In the duty
accounts OF the mi with the Government at that time
OF S25,O0& Mr. LAndon appeared TO be amazed
and he declared that in every instance OF the
granting Of o permit for the withdrawal OF
merchandise from the bonded warehouses, he had
drawn his check for the money called for and delivered
IL 10 Mr. Pedrck and that bis books would show that
everything fully and regularly accounted for he
was told that it would be necessary 60 make an exam
nation OF the books OF his rm to which he cheerfuy
assented ana an officer was detailed by direction
OF Collector Merritt TO make careful eX-
animation of the books and Custom House methods OF
Bernhard & Hutton. The expert, it Is stated by the
Customs officials. found that while the firm had kept
and OF every OF goods that
had entcrOd tho store. that each case could I've
identified in connection with the duties payable,
and that while every dollar OF duty demanded
had been entered GU the books having
been paid in gold to the Government
there large number Of cases OF goods for which no
duties had actually been pad, which had entered into
the business OF the firm.
An examination was next made into the manner Of
paying duties, when IL was learned that upon
the presentation OF tho withdrawal entries by
Mr.. Pedrlck. Mr.. Landon would draw gold
cheeks 10 the order OF PeIic for tho amount Of duties
called for These checks presented by Mr. Pedrck
nj the bank and were paid. and in due time the
chandiso spec fed in tho withdrawal entries de
lyered to the firms cartman by the clerks
This explanation made the matter still complicated
and tho Customs officials wero at a loss how %
account great discrepancy Mr. Landon sentfor
Mr. Pedrlck to have the matter explained, and inc
informed that the clerk had not been at the store since
early IN the morning. and that one knew
where he was. BY this time other discrepancies
f..H Mt Ems
showing that beginning in 1873 and ending
In August last, the Government had boon de-
frauded ont OF sI0sOOO IN duties merchandise
withdrawn In the make Of Bernhard Hutton.
PEDRIcKs METHOD OF COMMITTING FRAUDS.
Mr. Iandon promptly set detectives at work on the
case AT the residence OF Mr.. Pedriek, in Newark 1t
was learned that he sent dispatch octo-
her II, the day he had the conversation with
the Custom House clerk. telling his wife
rms aroused suspicion OF Mr. Laudon that redrick
had paid the money 20 the GoNcinmeSt which
hsd been given to him for that purpose and
TO cover mp his embezzlemont; Mr. Lsndcn went
fears Of his clerks dsGonesy aud desired an inves-
tgston Of me permits ana @ o Gmirs a ls
perpetrated, Pedrck would obtain from Bernhard
Hatton acquisitions, called withdrawal entries. for
CAGES. After tho Withdrawals had been signed by the
receive god coa cheek Tor The exact amount Of duties
called for the withdrawal entries. Peduck would
aud it would he passed through tie various
departments. and nnally permit would be issued de-
clsring that whereas duties have been paid by Bcnkard
Hutton ON certain eases OF goods marked :. = IT,
H." ~ warehouse man was directed 10 deliver the
After obtaining the order OF Withdrawal. Podrick |
would commit forgery the order by adding number
OF other Of goods IN pond bearing the maka
paying duties only on tho cases mentioned ~ |
all the cases called for, ON tho raised or
forged wiie9rawai en,Ty; Ihe u entire number Of |
exictiy with those FOR when hoy had given gold |
fSr sr@e d r. bt%ec INC amount of duties
aSsessed on the cases which actually passed |
Sr% by means OF the forced order Of withdrawal would
be appropriated by PedrcE and whoever may have been
The United states DlstriciAttoDey has issued war
for the arrest OF PedrcS on the charge OF forgery
aud SUIT has been begun against Bcnkard Hutton and
Levi L. NORTON their security on the impcrteTs bond
crnInent on merchandise Withdrawn from the bonded
warehouses, and Tor the penalty oi the fuu bond OF
r. A. Pedriek who is charged with the double crime Of
embezzement and forgery, Is about thirty two years
U U.S; emf in his department He hid been |
employed by Bernhard & Hutton for about
bad sole charge Of tue Custom House business OF
never called into question until now. his father |
Is farmer, Residing near Camden, N Pt- !
S az xewSrs %hcS s' he rlded S' His faSi2
consists of his wife aud child hls mothernlaw and
BIn have been punytual III his hours morning aud
evening absent from home AZ nights and exceed
the years that he Is charged with belng connected
with these crimes. he has not had any mouey beyond
his salary, and that frequently she has gwen mp |
pecessariej TO enable Inn TO buy furniture and !
carpets for their little home. An uncle of |
Pednck Is the Rev. John Atkinson Methodist |
minister, formerly of Chicago, and stationed at
Bay City, Mich. He arrived In this city yesterday
M answer 10 toegraphc dispatch from Pcdrieks wife,
and be is laborlng 10 ind toe hidingplace OF his |
nephew. signed by Pedrick and directed 20 his
wric been ntercepted. which throws light ON
the matter L was poslinaked New.fork CITY.
bore neither date nor place on the inside.
I'm this he that he cannot return homo for the
present. until the trouble BenkaId d Hutton's
l. -a.I IL. .L.... Euu. .aA- -l..I