Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-22
SILKS AND CLOTHS.
Imitation Smugglers Trying to Dis
pose of Inferior Material,
SAYING 1T ESCAPED THE TARIFF.
Fhey Buy the Stuff Here, and Palm it off
for the Imported Article.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BEHIND BARS

The "smuggle fakir" is abroad in the land
again, and the police bureau warns all per-
sons to be on the lookout ior these sharps
yesterday, and another one is known to be
at large in the city.
About 1 o'iock yesterday afternoon the
attention Of Detectives Coulson and Robin
son was attracted to two women who were
trying to dispose OF some silk in front of a
Smithheld street restaurant. The women
stated that the silk had been smuggled into
this country, and on account OF not paving
any duty on it, were enabled to sell it cheap.
Thinking the stuff had been stolen the
detectives arrested the two women, who
gave their names as Mary and Bridget Cor
man. The former is mother of the latter,
and stated at the station house that the silk
had been purchased in a Diamond street
store. The detectives went to the place and
found that the story was correct. The
women had purchased the stuff and made
similar purchases many times before.
FULL SCOPE OF THE. SCHEME.
Their scheme was to buy cheap silk and
give out the impression that it was of costly
manufacture, and on account of being
brought into this country without any tax
upon it, they could sell it cheaply. The women
reside at No. 399 Beaver avenue, Allegheny,
and 1t is said, have been doing profitable
business selling 'smuggled" goods As they
had not stolen or smuggled the silk and no
charge could be preferred against them, the
women we're released with reprimand by In
spector McAleese.
There is another ''smuggler'' in the city who
s11f 1fps NJ n n is man He
carries with HIM several rolls of cloth and gives
out she impression theS are smuggled. He is
well known in the railroad offices in Allegheny
where he has done business, ana the young
men who bought his cloth have been awaiting
an opportunity to interview him since his last
visit last fall. About year ago he appeared
suits to three men for SO per suit. He said the
stuff had been smuggled from Canada into
this country, and owing to its low
cost when bought from the manufacturer. he
could sell it for less than one-half what the
same goods would cost if bought from a regu-
lar dealer in this city. Thinking they were get
ting the cloth cheap and in the belief that it is
not a sin 10 rob the Government the victims
gobbled the bait and purchased the cloth.
uhey were told they could have the stuff made
DIP irto clothes for So but when they went to
co business with tailor they found it would
ost considerable more.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
With the additional cost for trimmings, etc..
the men thought they were ahead of the game
and put up the extra charges without mur.
mur After their clothes had been made they
looked well enough, but in less than month it
was race to see which would give out the
soonest In two months it was found that the
cloth instead of being superior quality was
OF an inferior grade. and the clothes looked as
shabby as if they had been worn for several
years.
The man who was around trying to sell cloth
In the Court House yesterday answered the
same description as the man who "fiimmed"
the AlleghenIanS about a year ago. He did
not say his goods had been smuggl-d, but his
actions led people to believe that no duty had
been paid on IL. As far as could be learned he
dId not secure any customers, although his
prices were very low. He is still in the city,
but The police department cannot arrest him.
He buys his cloth. but does not pay big price
for II.