The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-04-06

AMOUNT W THE SlEALlhus'
The oGenses enumerated in this story
besides many others on the complaint
extend back only to the year 1886, bu
the customs authorities are gathering
new evidence every day to show tha
the firm has been engaged in smuggling
ever since they established their house
seven years ago.
The customs authorities do not holt
any Of the persons who have smugglet
goods in their possession culpable, al
though they will probably have to pay
the duties or have the goods seized,
So far as Is known the Government
has been Rwindled out OF more than {
quarter OF a million dollars by the firm
as the unpaid duties range from 80 pei
cent to 80 per cent adYalOTem, What
the total sum will be when the inyesti
CATION Is complete remains to be seen
The fact that Allard 4 Sons number
among their patrons some OF the most
select and wealthy families in the United
States will probably increase tho sum up
to Sl,000,0O0. No arrests have been
made In the case, because all Of the AL
lards are out Of reach, being in France.
Whether they can be extradited and
punished Is d question on which the
Government officers will express no
opinion. Their representative In this
city, Paul Roulez, can be punished,
however, and II is only by the clemenCy
OF the Treasury Department that he Is
not behind the bars, The fact that he
has practically turned States evidence,
1t is supposed, will save him from States
prison.
The smuggling operations OF Allard
& Sons, Paris and New York, was the
main topic Of conversation to-day at the
office OF the special Treasury Agents In
the Custom House. The hitherto high
standing OF this house and the prOmi'
nent 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, in charge Of Spec.
iala Treasury Agent Simmons, who un'
earthed the swlndle, 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.
DENYING THE ALLEGATIONS.
Itis not expected that anything fur.
ther will 10 done in the matter until
Secretary Window is heard from. The
facts in tho case were embodied in a re.
port sent to Washington last night. No
arrests have yet been made.
A reporter called ut the ware rooms OF
Allard 4 Son this morning, lnd w. II.
Secor, counsel for the Allards and Mr..
Roulez, the agent, said;
"This whole affair Is m outrage on q
most respectable firm and the result will
show that the AlIards arc innocent OF
any attempt TO deiraud the Government.
It Is the work Of a discharged employe,
who has cunningly taken advantage Of
tho fact that all tho members OF the firm
are absent In Paris, preparing for the
coming exhibition"
"Thcy were aware that it was coming"
continued Mr.. SeCor, sand two weeks
ago cabled Mr.. Roulez to consult with
inc In regard to 1t. They were put on
their guard by a letter received from
Blossiere, the dischargedhgent, the insti.
gator Of the present proceeding, and this
letter will form IN important part Of the
defense offered by my clients. My clients
are prepared to furnish bonds to any
amount to secure the Government for
the alleged duties Of which 1t Is said 10
have been detrauded.
Collector Magone, when asked by o
reporter II there was any new develop
ments to-day said:
''Ihavc not yet heard OF any. What
We want now Is the money Of which the
Government Is deirauded."
"Is 1t true that Roulez, the present
representative Of Allard d Sons, had pd:
mitted the smupgling?'
"He has admitted that there was
smuggling. In fact lie stated that he
had stuffed some OF the imported chairs
with costly goods on which no duty was
paid"
"pid he admit this as States evidence
80 that he could not DO punished2p
"No Sir. He simply stated what he
knew about the smuggling"