New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-16
SUGAR DUTIES WE'RE LOWERED.
ALLEGED SCHEME OF FRAUD DISCOVERED.
ALTERATIONS SAID TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN
THE ENTRIES FOR THE sPRECKTLs COM
PANY-G GOVERNMENT Loss SLCrNED
BY A CHECK FOR 500 ooo.


Philadelphia. Jan. 15.-Spccal Agent Chance Of the
Gu m~ service, made important discovery a few
daN ago which evidence Of the existence Of big
conspiracy to dcrud the Government ont 0: lcgi'i
mate revenue. BY the merc,t accident he made
aware Of the fact that there a lowering Of the
sugar cntrc, If ". Ford Thomas. representing the
Claus Svreclcls sugar Refinery. Collector Cooper at
once started investigation. together with Special
Treasury Agent lIanlon. II took only short time
H. how them that fraudulent alterations had been
inadn ga the sugar entries. and the casual cyamina-
uons I'D 70 the opinion that TIE amount Of money
Of which the Government Lad been cheated was almost
t25ooO.
Collector Cooper. with view Of protecting the
Government. madc Immediate demand upon {. \.
>preclc, from the firm for the sum Of 800 600. be
icyug that SIM would the extent Of the fraud.
Mr.. Sprkc~ handed ~ the Collector certified check
fog hat amount Collector Cooper then sent commit
ncot.on 70 United states Dt-lctAttJrney Reed inform
ing him THAT series ~ fraudulent alterations had been
made In the sugar entries ~ " Ford ThOua during The
month, u october, November. December and JaaueIy
last and sting he DtrictAttJrney at once - in
sttIc o. Invest cation with "a view f. the prosecution
~ ~" Offenders In This communication Collector
Cooper says These alterations were made while tho
entire, and invoices In the ouce Of the United
states Appraiser, and were undoubtedly done by oF
with 81" assistance ~ some one employed I'm that ONCE
These alterations have caused los to the revenues
OF about ~ 1000 amount not exactly known al THIS
writing a1d result In corresponding gain To tho
Clan, SprccScls Company. The los 10 the Govern
mcuf has been assured by the deposit II certified
check FIR 10000: Lut are unable thus far 10 fix
with any degree Of prec,cnes, upon the guilty per
sons
Dis'1ct- Attorney Feed and Collector Cooper day
begun An investigation f,r the purpose OF learning
the origin ard extent u the fraud. The method pnr
sued shows that oc p"'-ons IN the Appraisers
ol.cs acted with me one ou the outside supposed
20 rcprr.ont the ~precEcls Refinery. The way the
scheme va, worked 10 change the figures on the
invoices whlch show the poarscopc test Of the sugar,
So ~. "a reduce the amount ~ duty 70 be paid.
The discovery was made on Monday last, and the
Investigation bcsun Tuesday. on that day Col
l~cr Cooper cat tor NJ. ~ptccl,es and his broker
" Ford Thomas Both denied all knowledge Of the
faud. when uformcd o. tie probable los, to the
Government Mr. >prcchcls AZ once offered his Ger
titled check or any other security required . cover any
amount 81 los, pending Investigation and r'hqMdAtVn
Tie Government officials have strong suspicion rs
10 Who the guilty participants IN the fraud are, but
they said tai. afternoon that they lad not gone far
enough In the investigation "a warrant making known
the uaiucs ~ tie suspected persons.
Adolph Sprcckel, tr'n by reporter this 1llcr
e. know be said. the motive for ti-. which. -
my mind (, nothing Mogr than conspiracy. ms
ALLEGED fraud cannot lulur' our house. IL may Ir
the dcs.sn q, o damage Hr. Thomas. who ln- been
in our employ for KIT years. lo hd- been faithful
ard homes, man. and u our experience ~ have never
We desire the fullest nyc tlsatlpn, and We nave nom
.i.g b mccall