The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-27

ernment every aid In their power. The
case was placed. in the hands Of Special
Agent +. d. Howells. now dead, who
was then stationed at Plattsburgh. He
was q big. broad-shouldered, energetic
fellow of great courage and consider
able detective skill A special agent
attached to the New York office with
wide acquaintance among Maiden Lane
jewellers was detailed to work UP the
case In this city. One diamond import
Ing firm. with branches in London and
Paris. was then doing an extensive
business in precious stones and UNDER
selling its competitors. Reputable I'M
porters who paid their duties suffered
greatly from the competition of firms
winch smuggled half their stock and
eVaded the 10 per cent. duty, and they
were always willing to aid the Govern
meht with any information obtainable.
from these firms and from
speciai agents stationed In
europe. information came that the
diamond firm referred to was consign-
ing large quantities of precious stones
TO Montreal. The agent OF the firm was
followed to that city by Howells. who
visited the postoffice and saw him re-
ceive a package. " was consigned 10
the hrm, was declared" and was said
70 contain precious stones valued at
$4,000.
Certain that the agent would leave
for New York. Howells watched the
outgoing trains. and entered the Sleep
er for New York attached to the night
express to find his man the only other
occupant. As the train left Platts-
burgh, Howells stepped over to the
agent and demanded the package. The
man, without any appearance of sur
prise, blandly denied having any con-
traband articles about him. He de.
clined to be searched. however, and
dared the special agent to touch
him at his peril. Howells, whose
resemblance to Grover Cleve-
land. both in face and figure. was
marked. took the agent by the shoul-
ders, laid him on his back in the aisle,
and sat on him while he searched him
thoroughly. The man had no sign Of
a diamond about him.
Horrified. Howells lifted the man to
his feet with the most profuse apollo
giles. "A suit for damages against the
government and himself stared him in
the face. Strangely enough, the agent
accepted the apologies without further
protests and did not pursue the case.
Later 1t was learned that the firm had
been advised of Howell's movements by
an employe of the Montreal postoffice.
and the agent had passed the package
or stones to another man, who had car
ried them to Windsor, crossed the river,
and shipped them by express from De-
troit to this city.
ONLY AN ANNOYANCE.
For eighteen months work on these
cases was continued without diminish
ing the influx of smuggled stones. Two
or three arrests and seizures wert
made, but the impossibility Of identify.
ing absolutely individuals and unsee
gems rendered all efforts nugatory.
Two or three times what was consid-
cred good cases We're worked up, but
while it could be ascertained easily that
jewels consigned to a firm entered the
pOstOffice at Montreal, all trace of them
wa lost after that. The government
finally relaxed its efforts, and only
spasmodically since have efforts been
made to head off the inflow of diamonds
by way Of the Plattsburgh trail. When
pursuit on the Plattsburgh route be-
| comes too hot. the trail changes to st.
| Adams; to Niagara Falls, to st. Ste
phers, and at times to Detroit. 1t new
err leaves the settled lines Of travel,
! however. There are no detours through
woods and swamDs, no hiding by day
and travelling by night. The dangers
of the customs service are less dreaded
than the perils and discomforts Of un-
known routes. In short. as an old, well
trained smuggler put 1t in q day or two
ago, ''the customs service Is looked Np-
on as an annoyance not real danger"