The Indianapolis journal., 1890-06-09
Discovery ofan Oath Bound, Organized Band of
Smugglers, Composed of officers and Sea-
men Of Big Transatlantic Steamers.
Seven Employees of Inman-Line Steam
ships Arrested and Held at New York.
Two Of the Offenders Taken from an Incoming
Boat BY Customs Inspectors-What the
officials Say About the Swindle.
oArH-BouND ss1ueGLERs.
Discovery of . Great Conspiracy To Cheat
Uncle Sam Out Of Customs Dues.

Discovery of . Great Conspiracy to Cheat
Uncle Sam Ont Of Customs Dues.
NEW YORK, juno S.-If q story printed
here to-day is true, there is an organized
band of smugglers making weekly trips be-
tween New York and European ports. who
are oath-bound never to reveal the names
of the agents from whom they receive their
goods. In year the value of these goods
amounts to millions of dollars. 1t sounds .
great deal like the opening chapter of some
sea romance, but according to Customs In
spector Hussey such is the case, and for
months the customs-house officials have
been investigating vague reports which
have reached their ears of smuggling
by the officers and seamen employed
on the Transatlantic liners The two
latest seizures Of smuggled goods were
made during the past week. Inspectors
Hussey and Britton discovered the goods
aboard the Inman liner City of Chester.
and attempted to arrest Chief Officer Allen
on charge of smuggling. and two days
later Inspectors Brown and Donohue laid
violent hands, in the name of the law, on
Mr.. j. Thomas, who was meandering down
the gang plank Of the Aller with thousands
of dollars worth of watches, diamonds,
gold chains and lace in his pockets. He
was only too glad to leave all and go him.
self.
The story of Chief Officer Aliens attempt
to use the City of Chester as q smuggler 10
that soon after the steamship arrived at
dock Inspectors Hussey and Britton
learned, in some mysterious way, that
there were dutiable goods aboard. A
thorough search of the vessel was made at
the time. but nothing was found until half
an hour before the City of Chester sailed
for Liverpool. last Wednesday, when the
two inspectors took notion "go through"
the officers rooms. Chief Officer Allen
was sitting in his room at the
time. and, on learning the business of his
visitors, after some objections, opened
every drawer and locker in the apartment.
He insisted that he was gentleman who
would not stoOp to smuggling, and con-
tinued his protestation until one OF the iu-
spectors happened to 0pen set of drawers
partially concealed beneath the berth in
the room, where the inspectors found q
number of ladies' dresses. a cloak and the
cover of u. pool-table. Allen said that he
knew nothing about the goods and was IN
no way responsible for their being there.
When the inspectors found the goods in
Officer Aliens room, il was too late to OBJ
tain q warrant of arrest. The following
morning they boarded the ship with war
rant for Aliens arrest, but he was among
the missing. The goods were seized and
held at the custOm-h0use. Regarding the
sudden disappearance of Mr.. Allen there is
a great deal of theory. The paper affirms
further that two Of the higher officers of q
big liner which came up last night will
doubtless be arrested for smuggling. upon
evidence previously secured.
The Herald has this: Inspector of Gus
toms Hussey, on the staff Of Special Treas
ury Agent Charles s. WILDER declares that
many of the officers and men of the crews
of the ocean liners running between New
York and ports of the United Kingdom have
for years been systematically engaged in
smuggling dutiable merchandise INTO this
country. and that they are bound by the
strongest possible VOWS of fealty to those
employing their services here and on the
other side of the Atlantic. In like manner
they are required to stand by one another
whenever any of them gets into trouble with
the custom-house authorities. Disregard
of these obligations is punishable by the
severest penalties, and go well is this un-
derstOod, according to Inspector Hussey' q
statements. that it is seldom, if ever that a
culprit. even if caught in the very act OF
smuggling, with the certainty of imprison-
ment or q heavy fine staring him in the
face, can be made to reveal the names OF
his accomplices He will usually go to
State prison rather than tell us by whom
be is employed added the Inspector