The San Francisco call., 1896-02-18
Reasons Why the Investigation
Before the Collector Was
Cut Short.
INSTRUCTIONS FROM CARLISLE
The Examination of Inspector Martin
Cleary Will Not Be Continued
To-Day.

There was an air of mystery about the
private Office of Collector of the Port Wise
yesterday. 1t was all owing TO the investi-
CATION into the alleged irregular conduct
of Customs Interpreter Richard Williams
1t was whispered that the interpreter had
been suspended. This impression was
strengthened as the day wore on, and the
mystery deepened.
Williams had been charged by Special
Agent of the Treasury Moore with using
his Office as Chinese immigration bureau.
1t had even been said of him that he aided
and abetted in the unlawful landing at
this port of Chinese girls OF tender years
girls who were destined to life of shame
and degradation in darkest Chinatown.
Whether or not these charges are true has
not been fully demonstrated. Nevertheless
the fact remains that the accused inspector
has been suspended by instructions from
Secretary of the Treasury Carlisle at
Washington.
The investigation into the charges
against Williams was to have been con-
tinued before Collector Wise yesterday
afternoon, but when the hour arrived for
the formal opening of the inquisition
there was a perceptible absence of the
chief witness and his attending sup
porters. Special Agent Moore was
promptly on hand. He wore the regula-
ton military Whisker on his chin and
Monday morning smile of a new brand.
This smile he turned on Chief Clerk
jerome as he passed through the room of
the latter and entered the sanctum sane
forum OF the head of the department. 1t
was observed before the big door
closed on the ma jor that the Collector
did not even look up from his desk.
Whether or not the Collector again tapped
II i
IS another story. 1t IS story that Will
never be told. There is reason to believe,
however. that while the conference was
not satisfactory to both sides it was IN
measure peaceful and even friendly.
While the conference was IN progress
1.-The Warrior Bold" in the outer Office.
This seemed to console the few timid
friends that Major Moore has about the
big brown building, for they at once
accepted it as a compliment to the special
aEent, who had the courage TO beard the
lion in his den.
At the conclusion of the conference be-
tween Collector Wise and Major Moore no
one in authority wanted to talk, while
those who were not in authority did moth.
ing else but talk.
'Will the investigation in the Williams
Wise.
There will be no investigation" an
swered the Collector, without looking up
from his desk.
Does that mean that the investigation
has been dropped?"
Ask MAJOR Moore" was the reply.
Major Moore was found at his office in
the Federal building.
When will the charges against In
spector Williams be investigated" was
asked OF the special agent.
Il don't know" was the response.
heer
Ask Collector Wise, " came the reply.
But these officials were unable to keep
the matter secret. 1t leaked out during
the day that instructions had been re-
ceived by the Collector from Washington
TO suspend Williams pending an investiga-
ton into the charges preferred by Moore
by the Treasury Department. This does
away with an investigation before Collector
Wise and Moore has virtually won first
blood in the hight against the Custom
house.
The case against Martin Clearv will not
be continued before Commissioner Hea-
cock this morning, as was expected. The
defense is ready to proceed, but Moore has
not got his witnesses together as yet 1t
is thought that the case against Clearv is
rather weak and unless Moore makes a
good showing the reflection will be against
him.
The fight bet tween Moore and the Col
lector is Just beginning to get warm, and
what the outcome will be is matter of
speculation. Collector Wise has habit
Of standing by his friends through all
kinds OF weather. The more stormy the
weather the more steadfast is his friend
ship. This is one of the reasons why he
and Major Moore can never love each
other The major has sought the removal
of persons directly under the Collector.
And the more he protested that they must
be removed the more the Collector insisted
they should remain. Hence the begin
ming of the battle that now RACES by day
and night.
District Attorney Foote said yesterday
that he would probably allow the United
States Grand Jury to investigate the
charges against Cleary and Wong Sam,
but had not fully made up his mind in the