New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-10-30
THE CUSTOM house FOhGERIES.

no CLEW TO PEDRICk'S lIDlNG-PLACE.
TIE FoRGER's IHETTs AMOUNT TO NEARLY $l20,-
OOO-BEIIEF THAT HE has BEEN THE DUPE
OF OTHERS.
The hiding place of r. A. Pcdrick, the forger
and embezzer has not yet been discovered The Gus
toms officers yesterday concluded the examination OF
the bonded warehouse through which the merchandise
Of Bernhard Hutton was passed. They reported that
the books other records Of the warehouse show that
all the goods passed in regular order what have
since asccrtaned to be raised and forged withdrawal
entries and that while the firm got all It's merchandise
Government did not receive It's full duties by nearly
$4,000. The investigation further shows that tho
forgeries committed by Bernhard Huttons clerk, Ped
rick extensive than at first supposed. When
the Noyes warehouse frauds discovered time
ago. the entire system OF Withdrawals from bond
changed, and every division officer who supervised an
entry was required 10 afx private check TO II as a
guide to the official IT shonld reach. To
meet this difficulty aud thus secure the pas
sngo OF Bernhard & Hutton's entries that he
could secure the firms check for larger amount than
needed It appears that Pedrick forged the private
checks Of Deputy Collec Bac Osborn, and Others
1t il stated at the Custom House that The forSeres
so perfect mat IN several nsnpSes 1n1 octS whose
lions geDuine-n the officer AT frat declaring
us % bn rnc"rd a
that no such entry had been passed, and
and other tests, the fcreerics were discovered
To trace the fOrgciies 10 the proper person. experts
were called in from the Bank Note companies and after
critical examination OF PeGrick5 handwriting and the
forged Custom House entries 1t was decided that Ped
rick The criminal and an order for his arrest was
granted by Commissioner Shields.
Merritt said Yesterday that when Mr. TandOn
and his attorney were informed of the forgeries
they both declared that they only awaiting
the result OF investigation 10 know how much
the Government had lost III the mpOTatOns OF Bernhard
& Hutton 10 pay the amount. Since then the firm has
decided TO have recourse to law, and the Collector
saws Jury pass upon the question the burden Of
proof resting with Bernhard Hutton 10 show that the
duties paid by them TO Pcdrck reached the Govern
ment. Collector Merritt further SAID that Pcdricks
arrest wherever he may be found, being forgery
against the Government. II Is claimed that
IN countries where cNtraditiOn treaty exists. fug
tive Ike Pcdrick would be surrendered AZ an act Of
courtesy 10 this country.
MIR LnndOn OF the firm OF Bonkard & Hutton. said yes
teriy that desired the intercepted letter from
the enbeZzer in the hands OF the Custom House
officers but the Collector declined 10 snow II to him.
Mr.. IandOn felt very ture that Pcdrick had
no, been benefited personally bY the stolen
nancy but that he had been the dupe OF others.
Pedrick he said quiet ana retiring III his manner,
and M one who associated with him The had any
doubts OF his integrity Ar Landon added that his rm
shnud contest the Government suit. that everything
mignt be brought to Hight. Ne was by no
means sure that his firm was liable. In any
nase and WAS confident 1t would not be
held responsible II any Of the servants of mo Govern
ment ere found have been IN collision with Iedrick
lie honcd this case would lead to the enactment OF "A
law compelling the Custom House to give some form
M RECENT TO merchants against Just huc irad
ulent piactcrs az this. lie saw no reason why any
merchant might not be swrdled III THIS way SO long as
the present forms used He had ask'd inc custom
House authorizes to ndOrhe Oh Ms le'.lp's l"e
that t had been done and orders had been TO-
ceIyed that 10 should be done.