The morning times., 1896-09-13
copyright. 1861 }


The only house that is doing jumping
business thisSeptemberis tbecustom- house
Here active work set in when the fall pas
sengers began to arrive, and it will last
without pause until the arrival home Of
all good citizens in November. In this
month the force of inspectors is several
times doubled, and the employees work
industriously all day. 1t is the sn,ugglers'
season, and now there are being brought
into the United States enough valuables
to support in luxury the successful
sniugglers for year.
1t is estimated that 81 900 900 worth of
diamonds come into this country in this
way every tall, and 81 ,00O, 200 worth of
silks The amount In laccs and gloves
has never been computed 1t is useless
to attempt it, but it goes well into the
ten millions.
TWO CLASSES OF SMUGGLERS.
Smugglers, In the custom-bouse, are
divided into two classes. There is the
wealthy class, who bring over their own
coats and gowns, gloves and perfumes,
ury. The other class is the professional
smuggler, who brings into the United
States diamonds and silks for the fall
trade, and whose work defeats the tariff
laws to an alarming extent. 1t is for
these that the great custom house staff
Is employed and for whom it was origi
mated.
Every year sees improvements in snug
Cling. New smuggling tricks are invented.
and, it must be confessed, they work sue
cessfully until discovered. Once known,
they are speedily told from one custom
house TO another, until the whole border
is posted on them. The next thief gets
caught. Then another ruse must be employ
ed. Inspectors say that year after year sees
an Improvement in smuggling. Tricks that
were considered smart a few years ago
would be laughed at no W for so much ne wer
and better ones have come up.
Messrs. Mccoy, Brown, Donnelly and
others, of the New York house, were dis
cussing improved smuggling a few days
ago. Said one gentleman: .'If we tell the
tricks we make them common. Thieves
drop them and study up new ones. That
makes more work for US. So we tell moth
ing
A Communicative OFFICIAL.
One of the custom house officials stood
leaning up against log of wood the other
day that was carelessly stoo d in a corner of
shed. Nothing queer about that old piece
OF wood, is there?'i he asked. Nothing
except that it was kicked around the deck
until an officer ordered it thrown over
board. One of the sailors objected so strong
ly that the officer let il lie. When the ship
came in the officer mentioned it TO us and
we caught the sailor just making off with
it n a boat 1t was full of choice Havana
cigars.
LAS general thing said the custom
house inspector, lit is not the crew that
troubles us. On the contrary, the whole
ships company is of assistance to the GUS
tom house. A reward is offered for the ap-
prehension of smugglers aboard, and all
from the Officers and tewardess, 10 the
deck hands are on the watchout for sus-
pcous people. Nevertheless, a great deal
escapes US every year.
I'VE deal,' said he, with the clever
estpeople in the world, Ii a man has a good
address, and is a genuine rharper he will
go into the smuggling business, and will
operate in spite of you. With women it is
still harder. 1t is almost impossible to de-
tectthem. They are not knownb by face, aud
their dignified manners and simple, in.
genious looks deceive us. Even where we
suspect we must be cautious about search
ing.
1.-The latest smuggling trick is the BIZ
cycle one. Many people travel with ther
machines because most foreign wheels are
heavy. On the last voyage of the City of X
q gentleman came over with his wheel. He
was most careful OF it and had it placed