The morning call., 1890-06-09
SYSTEMATIC SMUGGLING.
An Organized Band Said to Be Operating
on Ocean Steamers.

NEW YORK. June S.-If the 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
amount to millions Of dollars. The two
latest seizures of smuggled goods were dur
ing the past week. Inspectors Hassey and
BritOn secured goods aboard the lnman
liner City of Chester, and attempted to ar
rest Chief Officer Allen on charge of
smuggling, and two days later Inspectors
Brown and D0nohue laid violent hands in
the name Of the law on James Thomas, who
was meandering down the gang-plank of
the Allen with thousands Of dollars worth
of watches, diamonds, gold chains and lace
in his pockets He was only too glad to
leave all and 90 himself.
The story about Chief Officer Allen Is that
the customs officers found considerable
amount of dutiable goods concealed in set
OF drawers beneath the berth in his room. IL
was then too late to obtain q warrant OF
arrest. The following morning they boarded
the ship with warrant for Aliens arrest,
but he was among the missing. The goods
were seized and are held at the Custom
house. Regarding the sudden disappearance
of Allen there is great deal Of comment
One paper affirms that two of the higher
officers of a big liner which came up last
night will doubtless be arrested for Snug
Cling.
The Herald has this: Inspector of Gus
toms Hussey declares that many 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 duti-
able merchandise into this country, and
they are bound by the strongest posi-
BILE vows of fealty to those employing their
services here and on the other side OF the
Atlantic"
Five men are now in Ludlow-street Jail
and two more are out on bail on a charge
of smuggling Those in Jail are: Johns Hart,
John Hughes and John Baker, petty off
GERS on the steamer City of New York, and
John Lathin, head bar-keeper, and John
Murdock, ship store-keeper Of the City OF
Chicago. Those out on bail are Edward
Baxter, dock clerk, and John Ford, chief
cooper. both employed by the Inman Line
at Jersey City. The specific charge against
Lathin and Murdock is that on May 18th
last they brought into Jersey City lot OF
ready-made clothing on which they evaded
the payment Of duty. Their arrest would
have been made then, but the vessel sailed
before the matter could be brought home to
the pair. Hart, Hughes and Baker are said
to be wealthy Liverpool citizens, who made
comfortable fortunes by just such practices
as that for which they are now under ar
rest The men who did the smuggling
we've got" SAID Inspector BrittOn to-day,
but the receivers are those we are after,
and the public will he greatly surprised
when they learn who and how many are
concerned in the matter" -Four of the lu-
man steamers are now in trouble in connec
tion with smuggling. They are the City of
Chester, City of New York, City of Berlin
and City of Chicago.