The evening times., 1898-07-14
RICH MEMS TRUNKS.
They Arc Held Up in New York by
the Agents OF . Voluntary Society.

the Agents Of . Voluntary Society.
New York. July H.-Mr. W. d. s,oane.
the millionaire carpet dealer. a relative
of the Vanderbilts. has been subjected
to an experience on his return from the
Vanderblt-Dressey wedding in Europe
that has angered him and led him to file
a formal complaint with the Treasury
Department at Washington. The COM
plaint is directed against the Manufac-
turers' Board of Trade, which held up
the trunks of his party and charged him
with an undervaluation Of goods on which
customs dutle3 were to be paid. The
board consisfssof sig hundred merchants
and manufactsfess and was formed af-
ter the DinSiey Starin went into opera
ton. mainly to prevent wealthy travellers
from evadire the payment of the full
amount OF d4dexs as they are alleged to
have done itHf6hH the bribery of inspec-
tors. At meeting of the board at the
Hoffman House, where Mr.. c. C. Shayne
presided, 1t was said by Mr.. Shayne that
tourist was. supposed, under the pro-
visions Of the Dtngley law. to pay duty
on all personal effects exceeding 800 in
vague. This: provision had been con-
stantly evaded and 1t was the purpose
of the association to insist upon its en-
forcement. Some officials he said. were
not in sympathy with the law and COM
planned that their business was inter-
fered with by the representatives of the
organization. Wealthy people. he con-
tinued. with the collusion of officials ON
the docks, bring into this country many
goods on which duty should be paid. He
said he was amazed at the number of
weIi-tO.d0 nanptR uyhn Yar as,d
the Law. He was more surprised at their
action at time when the Government
needed aid to support the army and navy.
f. Trofort, chairman Of the permanent
committee on injunction. made an cx-
haustive report. He stated that fragrant
abuses existed in the examination of bag
gage. and the privilege known as 'cour-
tesies Of the port
Mrs. Francis O'NeiIl submitted reso-
lutions censuring Collector Bidwell and
all other officials connected with the
collecting OF customs in this port These
resolutions were adopted.
r. NJ. Walters said that he knew of
multi-millionaire. member of the
Millionaires' Club. who posed as a phi
lanthropist. who had been detected in
swearing to a false statement and COM
PEELED 20 pay additional dues.
'If he would introduce dishonest
untdsuTeS III peTSDIldl sdlu
Walters. would he not do the same in
his business?
'.All of you know the millionaire /
have referred to. Don't mention any
Names"
Subsequently William F. Russell. as
sistant secretary of the board. made
the direct admission that w. d. Sloane
was the person Mr.. Walters referred to
in his remarks.
This incident brings the war between
the wealthy tourists and the board of
trade to an issue. When the Dingley bill.
providing for only 500 worth of personal
effects to be admitted free of duty went
into effect. the board of trade. composed
of prominent merchants and manufacture
ers. asked permission for special COM
mittee to assist the customs officers in
their duties. Against the protest of COL
lector Bidwell this was granted.
The agents of the board laid in wait for
the Sloane party. who were allowed the
freedom of the port" which means their
luggage was not to be examined. Against
the protest Of the customs officers the
Sloane lingerie was distributed about the
pier and its value estimated in the pres
ence of an amused crowd by the paid
agents OF the board. They appraised the
the silks. satins and laces at an amount
which made the duty $500. The board
says the sum offered by Mr.. Sloane was
$500. The agents are now suspended from
duty. pending the investigation.