New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-28
TO BE PASSED on AT WASHINGTON.
MR.. BIDWELL DECLINES TO TALK OF THE
CHARGES AGAINST THE CUSTOMS IN
spEcTORSLTHE QUESTION OF TIPS.

sPECTORS-THE QUESTION OF TIPS
Collector Bidwen declined yesterday to make any
further statement for publication In regard 10 the
cases of the twenty-five customs inspectors against
whom charges have been preferred in consequence
of their conduct on the piers of various steamship
companies The replies Of the inspectors to the
charges together with the recommendations OF the
Collector in the matter, Will be forwarded wlthin
the next few days to the Department at Washing-
ton Besides the twenty-five inspectors who have
been suspended the charges Of neglect OF duty
passing baggage improperly and accepting gratuities
from passengers arriving ocean steamships. and
whose cases will be passed upon at Washington, II
Is said on good authority that three others nave
been suspended for thirty days each, this being
the extent of the penalty to be imposed upon them
II is said that the evidence against the accused
inspectors was not obtained by professional detec-
tives or by Treasury special agents. but by members
of a special force of employees organized about two
months ago by Collector Bidwell and Surveyor
Croft the duty performed by this force. however
being in the nature of detective work The ennis
saries of the Merchants and Manufacturers Board
of Trade 1t is understood were withdrawn from
the steamship piers last July. The chief offence
alleged against the implicated inspectors is that OF
accepting gratuties. a practice which is said to
have grown in the service until tips have come
10 be expected by the customs inspectors as much
a matter Of course by BARRIERS or walters. the
natural result of the growth OF the system being
that passengers who did not see Mt to tip IN
spectors were not treated with the courtesy and
consideration shown those who did bestow gratui-
ties. 49,, .,..,
one of the Collectors watchers recently noticed
a passenger who had dutiable goods among his
personal effects offer twenty-dollar gold piece 10
inspector Charles f. Cole who refused to accept
IL and called the attention of appraiser TO the
mans baggage, on which subsequently large
amount of duty was collected. Inspector Cole will
be recommended to the Department for advance
ment in rank and pay. . ~, -,
Collector Bidwel said yesterday that with the
approval of Secretary Gage he would seek from the
next Congress legislation increasing the pay or the
local inspectors OF customs. Ihey receive ~
day their tour Of duty being from sunrise to sun
set But the steamers cannot without great
expense to the companies and inconvenience to
passengers be held at Quarantine. they frequently
come up their piers after nghtfall. and the IN
spectors in these cases kept at work until late
In the night. without extra compensation. examin-
ing the baggage discharged from them.
The Collector received letter with clipping
from The Pail Mall Gazette" OF London. dealing
with the alleged indecencies and annoyances OF
customs inspectors. The letter is an anonymous
one 1t says among 0 her things: "1f you are
gentleman you will resign the office you hold and
retire from duties obligng you TO enforce the odious
and barbarous regulations enacted TO vex and tor
ment your fellow countrymen whose sin Is presum-
ing 10 broaden their minds through the advantage
OF foreign travel. Republics. BAH Not old Spain.
China Japan can enforce such regulations as
without protest your countrymen patiently submit
TO- Come to dear old England and learn lessons In
polteness and decency.'