The evening world., 1889-02-27
FRAUDS IN TOBACCO, TOO.
THREATENED INDICTMENT OF AN ASSIST
ANT APPRAISER AND AN AGENT.

Charged with the Fraudulent Bxaminatio
of BALES of Sumatra-Furtber Secret
Developments in the sugar Testing
Frauds-Two hemist Said 20 Have
Implicated Dr. scherer and His Brother.
Suppressed excitement was visible in the
Sugar Division Of the Appraisers office this
morning, owing TO rumors Of further do
yelopments in the sugar-testing frauds, which
The EVENING World first told the public
about on Monday.
Clerks gathered in corners and discussed
the matter in whispers, while the officials put
on a look of extra reticence and mystery.
An investigation by Col. Jewell, chief OF
the United States Treasury Agents, has, il ID
said, developed the fact that test plates of
inferior quality were substituted in the po-
lnriscopes.
Two chemists, whose names are withheld
for the present. are said to have confessed to
having received plates from Dr.. Edward
Sherer and his brother John. who we're dis.
charged from the department q year ago,
charged with completely in the sugar frauds,
The chemists were requested to give the
value of the plates bv the polariscopes in
order to establish proof that the Govern ment
tests of sugar were too high.
The chemists became suspicious, ana even
after testing the plates refused to give the
Sherers q certificate OF their value.
To an EVENING WoRLD reporter Appraiser
Stearns said this morning that he believed
the substitution of the plates was done by
adherents of the Sherers, who sought by this
method TO reflect upon DIR. Leary. and by Sc.
curing his removal insure their reinstate.
ment.
am unable to go into details about the
matter. " said the Appraiser, as it would
affect the investigation which is being made,
nor can divulge the names Of the two
chemists"
The reporter showed Mr.. Stearns a de-
spatch from Washington which stated that
Secretary Fairchild would submit the report
Of the investigation the Senate within a few
days; .
matter"
The Appraiser further said that new looks
had been put on the doors of the laboratory,
in order to prevent further meddling with
rooms must be had by means of a pass
signed by him, as he and MIR. Moore, DIR.
Leary's assistant. are the only ones having
keys.
the matter, referring all inquiries to the APP
pralSer.
Another story of corruption was made pub
lie this morning, this time affecting the To-
bacco Division.
Secretary Fairchild, in a long letter to the
United States District-A Attorney, asks for tho
indictment of Special Agent HolRhan aud
Assistant Appraiser D. @. Sturgis for the
fraudulent examination Of 275 bales of
Sumatrs tobacco imported by Ladeuburg 4
Thsllman, bankers. and belonging to NJ. 4
E., Solomons Tobacco Company
Under the first examination by Holahan and
Sturgls, the duties assessed were S21, 995. As,
and in a examination IL was discovered
that the amount should have been $2s, $40. 81,
or a difference of &C. 1853. so.
Secretary Fairchild is possessed of minute
details of the transaction and 1t is supposed
hat n further investigation may result in i'm
plicating some tobacco owners.
United States District Attorney Walker
looked very mysterious when questioned on
the matter. and said: when the indIct.
ments are found. the whole matter will be
made public, but until then my lips are
sealed"