The morning call., 1892-04-24
THE OFFICIAL Ak.
Collector Phelps Will Suspend
Another Guilty Man.
What Wholesale Merchants Say About the
Custom.House Frauds-They Blame
the Government.

Timothy Guy Phelps. the Collector OF the
Port of San Francisco. was in his office at
3 80 A. NJ. Yesterday, and steadily. kept at
work until a late hour in the afternoon.
"rhis Is the only way by whicli can
hope TO do my business in these troublous
times said Mr. Phelps to CALL reporter
Yesterday. Il am compelled to come here
early in the morning In order 10 have few
Quiet hours before the business OF the day
commences"
The Collector then went on to say that he
hoped w. c. Ralston, the newly appointed
Appraiser, would receive his papers from
Washington soon because Lesvy's dismissal
and Hollywood's suspension have caused
shortness in the Appraisers Office which
should be filed Immediately.
II have another name on my list and
another suspension will be made very soon,
said the Collector, "5ut there is a reason
why i have not as yet announced It, The
fact is that l have no available man to
recommend for the place which this suspen-
sion will create. and / would like TO recon-
mend a successor TO the man who is to be
suspended when l announce his suspension
10 the authorities In Washington:"
Mr.. Phelps then went on to explain that
the eivil-service list has not single candl-
date for the office vacated by Hollywood,
which was that Of an examiner Of importa-
tions, and that although there are four
names on the list for the position which
would be vacant If he suspended the man
who Is doomed to follow Hollywood, none
of them seems TO be competent to I'LL the
position.
For this reason the Collector is slow In
letting the official ak drop on the man whose
DAYS OF service for the Government are num-
bered.
HE might as well remain now until can
find a successor" Mr.. Phelps said. :" for he
knows he is being closely watched now.
and there is no fear thathe will do nythlug
wrong while under surveillance"
PHELPS CONVICTION.
The Investigations made by Collector
Phelps during the past week have resulted
In a conviction on his part that Neuburger.
Reiss Il Co. In importing WOODEN and silken
goods Is cottons acted not only for them
selves. but were distributing agency for
other firms. who derived all the benefits of
the fraud. but who. although known, can
not be held responsb BILE.
a CALL reporter, making tour of in
YestiRati0n along Sansome and Battery
streets to ascertain the sentiment OF the
wholesale merchants and large importers of
foreign goods, found that there is n bitter
sentiment among them against the methods
employed by Neuburger. Reiss & Co. and
others. This sentiment is not altogether
based on business rivalry, as may be SUM-
who are engaged in different lines of trades
from those pursued by the firm mentioned.
One OF the best known wholesalers on
Sansome street echoed the sentiment Of the
street by summing up the situation as fol-
lows.
ave are unanimous In condemning the
fraudulent practices recently exposed, bu,
the merchants blame the Government az
much as the firms who have been exposed
II 10 the prevailing opinion that The Gov.
eminent encourages frauds Dy compromising
with the offenders when an expose Is made
'fhe inducements held out in this manner L
do wrong are too tempting for many men e
resist. A iirm may import $1,000 600 worth
of goods fra0dulentiy until the Custom
house authorities discover that ther.
10 apmething wrong. In many cases
they neyer dlscovcr 1t at all Blu
sya,, In. as In the case OF Neu
burger. Isciss x CO.. fraud Is proven
~. arm IL allowed 10 compromise for al
amnuni So small In comparison TO thei
stssllnas thai, setting the disgrace aside
financially they are tho winners by man.
hv.afads of thousands. III every mai
found guilty Of defrauding the Government