Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-07-31
THE SECRET SERVICE
HOW " LAYS TRAPS INTO WHICH
sMUGcLERs TUMBLE.
ARabls AOents who Travel,oa oce..
Liners and DeEafle ThSse Who
Would Cheat Your lIncls 1annel
late GIVING Up Their secrets.

Is 7-5f n 4
How smugglers smuggle is well known
In every country that puts duty on GER
tain imports, but how the government Of
6ciais put their hands ON the yiolators Of
the low is quite another story. Some
think 1t no crime to steal from the ..rich"
government, and they lay their plans to
bring in dutiable goods free as cautiously
and cleverly as does the burglar who is
about to break into house.
1t is not generally known to globe. trot-
ters or even stay ut homes that the Unit-
ed States has several OF the brightest"
men in the customs service constantly on.
the go crossing and recrossing the Adam
tic in search OF those who are likely to
have bad memories when It comes to the
point OF making declaration. The latter
Is strong legal document to which every
incoming tourist hns to swear and atfix
his signature. So that when traveller is
found guilty of bringing into the country
that which does not appear as an entry
on his declaration he is likewise guilty OF
perjury.
The government employees who make
these regular trips on the big liners IRE
in the pay Of the treasury Department.. 1t
is obvious that they are obliged to have
gentlemanly presence and an affa1ility
that usually mark the great traveller.
This affability is worth good deal to the
government, and it has been the downfall
OF many smugglers.
Condolences IRE exchanged while the
huge twin screws are churning the water
astern, and the man with the diamonds
or other precious stones concealed in his
bicycle tires or inside the cheap cigars
~ hAh oc 4 4.
a great deal OF interest that his agreen-
BILE companion. who says that he is a
broker or something OF the sort, also in
tends to devote his energies to defrauding
Cnsle Sam. OF course this agreeable
companion does not intend to do anys hing
Of the sort. but this is one of his many
ruses for finding out how the wind blows
on the other side OF the fence.
He makes the acquaintance Of every
body worth knowing during each trip,
and he entertains the smoker as well
as the social hall. with the latest and
best stories. When the ship reaches
Sandy Hook, he knows most OF the other
passengers better than any one else. He
is the first man ashore, and in the ex-
animation OF his luggage comes the fun
ny part OF the whole thing.
Having made his declaration in the
main saloon coming up the hay the same
as the rest OF the passengers, subscribed
to the paper and received square,
white card with blue penciled numeral
drawn across its face, he presents this
to the customs officials on the dock. and
an inspector, who little suspects who he
is. dives into his trunks and hand yalisc.
In the meantime, and while the passen-
gers are swarming to the pier from the
ship and hundreds OF bedroom stewards
are Juggling ashore the great tangle OF
trunks and personal effects. the secret
agent Of the government has run within
hailing distance OF somebody who docs
know him.
They shake hands as warmly as IL
the whole thing was not made up, and
they act as il they hndn't seen each 9TH
er In 20 years. The newcomer is on the
collectors staff, and he finds neatly
folded piece OF paper in his hand when
the secret agent hastens OF in search Of
his baggage This paper is known from
"A to by its new owner within few
minutes, and the next interesting chap
Ter is when the whole thing is over and
the would be snuggler is alone and asks
himself:
Now, how in the name OF all that's
Y
jewelry?"
Under such secrecy do these agents
operate that even the navieaturs OF the
ships on which they travel do not know
their calling. They pay full fire and
take out tickets in the regular way,
sometimes through main Offices, but most
frequently through tourists agency.
Their pay varies. but the minimum is
$40 per day and all expenses paid. They
stop at the best hotels while abroad, for
they find the best results for their la.
bors there
In addition to these travelling agents
the government has in the chief cities of
Europe secret agents who keep track Of
all the big exporting houses and large
jewelers.. These men get SIS pea, day and
all expenses. There arc -four of these
agents in London. five in Paris and three
in Berlin. The lind agent abroad gets
the majority OF his tips through the en-
ployees of the houses where American
purchases are made. That the reins may
be drawn us tightly rs possible on dis
honest tourists the government has se-
cret understanding to divide the value OF
seized goods where the information SO
furnished by disinterested party. This
rule is most profitable to both the gov
eminent and the one giving the inforiua-
ton.
There are certain houses abroad which
sell diamonds. silks or other dutiable
goods to American buyers and notify the
treasury agents Immediately. Thus it is
that frequently the moment tourist
steps on board ship on the other side
with valuables that he may forge" to
declare on arrival here the fnct is cabled
to this side, and the boarding officers and
inspectors pass him the compliments Of
the day on the pier
To draw the strings around the dishon-
est ones tighter there gather at the pier
OF every big steamer on arrivala staff Of
treasury officials whose sole business it is
to discover anything that may have es-
capped the observation of the agents
abroad. Among these are several inspect
resses. who can spy bullying gown sew
eral cable lengths away.
The pay OF these secret agents and the
reward that goes to the informant come
from the secret or contingent fund Of thu
government. OF which the public never
learns. Every civilized country has a
fund OF this kind.-New York Mail and
Express.