St. Paul daily globe., 1889-04-06

we'll as RiOSSalfo, the informant. ROuIeZ
made full confession, and said that he
was cognizant of the dishonest transac-
tiOns and the smuggling of the firm.
He admitted that both lie and Blossaire
were present, as was young Fernand
Allard, a member of the firm, who was
in this country at the time the Wander
bilt picture was unpacked and
framed in February last. He also
acknowledged sending Blossaire TO
deliver the same to Mr.. Vanderbilt. He
made further admission that the goods
brought over by his wife as household
effects, in 1887. were not his property,
and that all the articles alleged in the
complaint to have been smuggled were
smuggled. Both his declaration and
that of the informant, Blossaire, were
then sworn to by them.
THE OFFENSES
enumerated in this story, besides many
others on the complaint, extend back
only to the year 1856, but the customs
authorities are gathering new evidence
every day to show that the firm has been
engaged in smuggling ever since they
established their house here, seven
years ago. The customs authorities do
not hold any of the persons who have
smuggled goods in their posses
sion culpable, although they will
probably have to pay the duties
or have the goods seized. So far as is
known, the government has been
swindled out of more than s250,0 by
the firm, as the unpaid duties range
from 30 per cent to so per cent ad va
loren. What the total sum will be
when the investigation is complete, re-
mains to be seen. The fact that Allard
q Sons number among their patrons
some of the most select and wealthy
families in the United States, will prob
ablyincrease the sum to 81, ,000, 600. No ar
rests have been made in the case, be-
cause all of the Allards are out of reach,
being in France. Whether they can be
extradited and punished is question
On which the government officers will
express no opinion. Their representa-
tive in this city, Paul Rouiez. can be
punished, however, and it is only by
the clemency of the treasury depart
ment that he is not behind the bars.
The fact that he has practically turned
states evidence, it is supposed, will
save him from states prison. The
smuggling operations of Allard q Sons
was
THE MAIN TOPIC
OF conversation to-day at the Office of
the special treasury agents in the Gus
tom house. The hitherto high standing
of this house and the prominent social
and financial standing of its customers
added to the interest in the case. The
office of the firm was open as usual to-
day for the transaction of business, and
Paul Roulez. the agent of the
firm who was before Collector
Magone yesterday, was in charge.
Special Treasury Agent Simons, who
unearthed the swindle, is of the opinion
that the evidence that the firm snug
gled hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of dutiable goods into this coun-
try in the seats of antique chairs and
quaint mirrors is conclusive. 1t is not
expected that anything further will be
done in the matter until Secretary Win
dom is heard from. The facts
in the case were embodied In a
A reporter called at the warerooms of
Allard q Son this morning, and w. G.
Secor, counsel for the Allards, and Mr..
Roulez, the agent, said: This whole
affair is an outrage on most respect
able firm, and the result will show that
the Allards are innocent of any attempt
to defraud the government. 1t is the
work Of discharged emplOye, who has
cunningly taken advantage of the fact
that all the members of the firm are
ABSENT IN PARIS
plSpdllIS lOI lHe cOIllliiS CAllUlllOIl.
They were aware that it was coming"
continued Mr.. Secor, land two weeks
ago cabled Mr.. Roulez to consult with
me in regard to it. They were put on
their guard by a letter received from
Blossier. the discharged agent, the i'll
stigator of the present proceeding, and
this letter will form an important part
of the defense offered by my clients.
My clients are prepared to furnish
bonds to any amount to secure the gov
ernment for the alleged duties of which
it is said to have been defrauded."
Collector Magone, when asked by a
reporter if there were any new develop
ments to-day, said: II have not yet
heard of any. What we want now is
the money of which the government is
defrauded." SIS it true that Roulez,
the representative of Allard & Sons, had
admitted the smuggling ?'' sHe has
admitted that there was smuggling. In
fact, he stated that he had stuffed some
of the imported chairs with costly
goods. on which no duty was paid"
did he admit this as states evidence,
SO that he could not be punished ?''
mo, sir; he simply stated what he
knew about the smuggling"