New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-17
WAR AGAINST SMUGGLERS
DIAMOND DEALERS GRATIFIED AT RE-
CENT ARRESTS.
Low PRICES OF GEMS on WHICH DUTY HAS BEEN
EvADED DRIVING REPUTABLE DEAL
rRS TO THE WALL.

EvADED DRIVING REPUTABLE DEAL
Frs TO THE WALL
The announcement Of the arrest In Philadelphia
OF Herman Keck member of the Cincinnati firm
Of diamond cutters, Coentermans, Heinrichs
Keck has been received with great satisfaction
by all the honest diamond dealers in New-fork ana
Brooklyn. Since the Wilson Tariff bill imposed Its
heavy duty upon diamonds there has been an al
most incredible amount of smuggling of the precious
Jewels into this country. Dishonest firms, by secur-
ing their stock without paying duties nave peeh
enabled to sell them at prices much lower IMAM
could be made by reputable dealers. the Clhcih-
natl house has made itself conspicuous Tor year
or more by its offer sell diamonds at remarkably
low prices. and suspicion was thus directed toward
it. An investiga ton followed on the part OF the
United States officials and the Diamond Protective
Association with the result that Herman hecK
and Rankin y. Jones. his lawyer, were arrested In
Philadelphia on complaint of the Customs inspect
ors and Captain Loeswitz. of the Rhyn.and the
boat on which Keck reached this country, who is
suspected of completely in the supposed smuggling
scheme held In 5000 ball. II Is probable that
other arrests will follow in short time
prominent officer OF the Diamond Protective
Association who refused to allow his name TO be
used, Yesterday afternoon in his Brooklyn
home by Tribune reporter. He explained the
situation In these words:
a determined effort IL being made by the homes;
dealers IN diamonds 10 prevent smuggling. Inc
condition OF affairs has been brought 10 the atten-
ton OF the Government officials and the force of
inspectors and detectives has been doubled. a num-
Der OF men have been sent to Europe, and all are
trying to stop the smuggling The business OF hon.
est dealers throughout the country Is to-day pract-
callv ruined By the smuggling. The Cincinnati house
is by no means the only offender. other houses IN
the West are known to secure their diamonds by
Legitimate means, and there also numerous
firms I'm New-York city which give evidence that
they secure their stones from smuggiers by the
low prices which they charge. Several prominent
dealers have been forced 10 the wall by their failure
TO compete with dishonest men. and other failures
are sure 10 follow unless something effective can
be done TO prevent the smuggling. Another proof
that the smugglers unusually active IS found In
the fact that while the revenue inspectors books
show tina, imporiations are remarkably hght thr
market in this country Is now ana mas zen , 10,
was only 10 per cent. the smugglers did not care
to take risk and fey OF the gems We're brought h
into the country illegally. But as soon as me
duties we're raiSed the smHggers perae ,x aS
monds were coming into the country, ,r me me me
Government received substantial revenue uhder the
10 per cent duty. II Is now receiving heN 10 n1tn
ing although the duties have been raised consider
ably
diamond dealers have made repeated attempts to
unsuccessful. The Presiden, and other high offi-
carefully and have acknowledged the Justice Of the
dealers claims. The unreasoning opposition OF me
populsts has. howeyer pTevene e,- rnanse
the demands OF their constituents that an So
More recently the Pcpulisis have felt dlnerenty.
and they now appear 10 be willing 20 restore TIE
old tax OF 10 per cent leading members o, Do ON
present law ard we are In hopes tina. the change
Nil soon come. Under thu existing circumstances
honest and upright merchants are forced TO give
way 10 their dishonest and unscrupuious rivals
The dealers believe that when the legislators iuny
understand these things they VIII no longer dsrc-
gard our desire.