Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-08-14
INVESTIGATION ON.
A Treasury Department
Agent Visiting Boston.
NO CHARGES ARE MADE
But the Exam dation Nav Result in a
Gen3Iai Shakeup.

BOSTON. Aug. A.-An investigation, OF
inquiry, by Special Employe I. A. Byrne
of the United States treasury department.
Is being conducted 90 the federal building,
which will undoubtedly result In a sonsa-
ton and probably shakoup In the special
agents offioe In this city.
The investigation consists Of an examin-
alton of the special agent In charge, Con-
verse J. Smith, Chinese Inspector Miller,
| Special Customs Inspector ONeil, and
Special Employees Heintz and Bum, as to
the method thoy havo pursued in tho ex-
animation Of Chinese papers at this port
since their appointment.
An effort has been made 60 keep the In
vestigation profound secret, but the facts
leaked out yesterday through an authort-
tative source.
Although no charges have been brought
| against the officials which Will reflect
upon their character, yet certain things
have developed during the past few days
that will mako the investigation ono Of in
tcrest
The recent Chinese smuggling expose
which was brought about by Chinese In
spoctor Scharfe Of New York hinted that
the Chinese business &c this port was not
being conducted In proper manner, and
that oortaln officials wero In sympathy
with the Chinese.
Through With the Cinnamon.
Within tho past three or four days Mr..
Byrne has devoted most of his time 90 the
investigation. His first move was 70 find
out what Chinese firms existed In this city
and the number of members IN each firm.
Some OF them claim to have from 20 20 90
members.
1t Is understood that Mr.. Byrne has al
ready got this necessary information in
the shape Of a list Of firms and members.
Some of tho leading Chinese merchants
have been called into Mr.. Byrne's ofilco
and thoir statements have been taken by
stenographer.
As far as the Cinnamon are concerned
that part of the investigation Is finished
for the present, Mr.. Byrne then directed
his attention 30 the special agents office.
The first official to stand fire was Special
Treasury Inspector O'Noil. He has ex-
amined but u small number Of Cinnamon,
and his testimony will, therefore, not
throw much light upon "how tho Chinese
business Is conducted"
Mr. Byrpe has possession Of the letter
book containing all of Inspector O'NeiPs
reports, and it Is said that he was favor
ably impressed with tho contents Of each
report.
Special Employe Bum was the next to
undergo an examination. Mr.. Bum has
boon instrumental in bringing to justice
many celebrated smugHleFs through his
detective ingenuity He, like oil the other
officials, has been assigned 20 investigate
Chinese papers.
He was asked whether or not
He Ever Accepted Gifts
from Cinnamon in the shape Of thoater
tickets, tea or anything else He replied
that he might havo accepted a cigar, as
any person would who called on NOR
chant.
He said he never found out anything
about the Cinnamon whose papers was
under Investigation, because he was not
instructed to. He was told 10 examine the
witnesses only, and 70 find out whether or
not they were reliable persons. When
this work was performed he turned tho
papers over to his superior, with O report
as to the credibility Of the witnesses.
This, ne said, finished his investigation
Of the papers He was then asked II dur
Ing any OF his Investigations OF Chinese
papers he discovered that one witness
signed more than one paper. He replied
that In some instances
Such Was the Fact.
Chinese Inspector Miller returned from
New York yesterday. Mr.. Miller has only
been connected with the Office the past six
months, but has examined the majority
of the papers sent TO the Office from Yer
mont during that time.
On his arrival at the Office Mr.. Byrne
had all interview with him regarding the
Chinese business. They were together In
Mr.. Byrnes private office with the letter
book containing his reports on his investi-
cations.
1t Is said that some Of them have not
been placed In the book, and this fact Is
causing considerable uncasiness co somc
person who is responsible for that work
1t was no fault OF Inspector Miller, how.