Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-17

does not represent one-tenth of the actual
amount that Uncle Sam is annually robbed
Of In this WY. The law as to the impor-
tation of goods is very strict. foreign
merchant VINO ships goods here must first
go before the American consul at the ports
from which he intends to ship the mer-
chandise and swear as to the kinds, quail
ity and quantity of the articles he pro-
poses to ship to the United States. He has
to have three invoices, describing the goods
and giving their cost in Europe. The law
provides that the goods must be entered
for duty at the market price paid for them
in Europe, and at the prices at which they
are sold to other countries. In many cases
the goods are entered at much lower val
uation than this. The European merchant
charges the importer a fair price, but he
makes out the bill for lower price, and
the two try to cheat the government out
of it's duties. At the present time the Gus
toms bureau has its special examiners or
detectives travelling about through Europe
and trying to prevent this. They are Wis
iting big factories. They are inquiring into
the prices. They are making their reports
to the consuls, and it Is their business to
find out how Uncle Sam is being cheated
and prevent 1t. They are not doing this
but they are doing something. But not
withStanding their efforts millions OF dol
lars worth of goods are fraudulently i'm
ported every year, and they strive In vain
to mend this hole in Uncle Sans pocket.
How Travellers Cheat the Customs.
Enormous amounts of goods are snug
gled into the United States by travellers
every year. 1t Is estimated that there are
now in Europe more than 100000 Americans
who are taking their summer vacations on
the other side, and who will return in the
fall. AT low estimate ninety out Of every
hundred of these viii bring back at least
500 worth of European goods. I talked
with a Treasury Department official about
this matter yesterday, and he said that
5000 would be a low estimate. You can
easily see how these purchases will run
into the tens of thousands and into the mil
Hons. The most of the goods will be du-
table, and it is safe to say that the above
amount will evade the customs. At 800
per traveller this means the introduction
of 100000 worth of dutiable goods, and
at 5000 per person 1t would amount to $751;
100000 worth. These travellers will be met
upon their arrival In New York, and the
goods will be passed as personal effects. A
woman has the right, according to
the law. to a wardrobe corresponding with
her station in life. and If she is well-to-do
she can load herself with diamonds.
Many New York swell brings in eight or
ten suits of clothes, and 1 am told that
there are men who make vacation trips to
Europe on the basis that the expenses of
their trip will be largely made up by the
profits which will come to tfem through
buying their winter clothing in Europe
Paris Dresses Are Struggled.
This is especially SO when women are
to be considered. Dresses cost just
and they are smuggled in by the tens of
thousands. I was told the other day by a
man connected with the customs that New
York dressmakers often send the girls in
their employment to Europe with the proper