The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-29
A CUSTOM HOUSE CEASE"

JAMES W. BELLS IMpoRTATIoNs OF CLOTH
CHARGES OF IRREGULARITIES.
rumor alleging extensive smuggling operations
by well known tailor Of this city was yesterday cir
culated in Wall street. HERALD reporter ascer-
tanned that the United States District Attorney has
undertaken tho collection Of certain unpaid duties"
alleged to be due Mr.. James W. Bell, of No. 172
Fifth avenue. to the government.
The story as it passed current among the gossips
of the street that certain invoices of the goods
imported by Mr.. Bell. which should be on file in
triplicate in the Custom House, missing. the
first and second copies having been distracted and
only the third being in tho archives. This. if true.
necessarily implies collision with officials. but
verifcation Of the statement could be obtained.
and it explicitly denied behalf Of Mr.. Bell by
his representative. Mr.. b. q. Jayne.
Mr.. Bell is one OF the best known men about town.
his frequent purchases of race horses and valuable
paintings having given him prominence as an art
connoisseur aud BON ctpdRk
Inquiry was first made by the reporter of Mr.. G. A.
Bracket, OF the Naval Oihce who seemed consider
ably surprised when asked for the details OF the case,
and courteousy refused to say anything about it
cept to remark, II would be endangering my off,
cial position IT should say word ut this stage.
Collector Merritt was courteous. but also refused
case against Mr.. Bell. al haven't word to say
about it." said he. 1.-THE papers in the hands Of
'ns aodfara not Ssv in 70 .ha
porter inquired OF Assistant District Attorney Her.
rick about 1.-THE OF alleged smuggling by Mr..
Bell" Mr. Herrck referred his questioner to As
slstant District Attorney Plat.
That gentleman seemed even moro surprised than
Mr.. Bracket when asked about the case. '.I
could not explain oven il thought best" he said,
"for am especially instructed by General Woodford
not to say anything about cases OF the kind"
The reporter asked IL there any allegations of
fraud in the
There allegations of any kind" replied
MIR. Plat. 'The only paper there Is in the is
summons which IL Tile in the Clerks Office OF tho
District Court"
'What kind of q summons?'
IA summons requiring Mr.. Bell to appear within
twenty days to answer to the complaint OF the gov
eminent OF the United States
''Then IL the summons is the only paper in the
there sUo complaint. presumed"
mo. When there Is complaint it will DO also
fled in the Clerks Office aud will then be public
property
1t being stated that Mr.. b. q. Jayne Mr.. Bells
representative the reporter inquired OF that gentle
man IL the rumor true, ana Mr. Jayne admitted
that it was.
"rhe government has simply preferred claim
against Mr. Bell for certain unpaid duties, which 1t
alleges due" said Mr.. Jayne. ut may often
happen that duties are estimated and paid according
to tho estimate. aud that aftcrward the government
may hnd or think 1t has found that these payments
do not amount to enough to cover the sum due. 1t
then prefers claim through the District Attorney,
aud the merchant may either pay IL contest 1t.
This IL merely claim for unpaid duties. There Is
charge of collision fraud In the case"
An effort made to Mr. Bell, but the
porter was unable to find him.