Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-22
BROUGHT IN RICH LACES
l.. MOOT. THE f STREET MERCHANT,
ARRESTED IN NEW YORK.
HELD in 81 900 Bail to Answer Charge
of Violating Customs
Laws.


Louis Moot, senior member of the firm
of L. Moot & Son. who conduct a store at
No. 1913 F street northwest, was arrested
Yesterday in New York for violation of
the customs laws and held in 81 900 bail
for the action of the grand jury. 1t is I'M
derstood that Mr.. Moot in addition to his
business here. is engager as foreign buyer
by several firms of prominence in various
parts of the country, and had gone abroad
this year, accompanied by his wife, to at
tend to such business. The couple returned
10 this country on the Red Star line steam
ship Friesland, bringing three big trunks
and several other pieces of baggage What
happened after the steamer got in is told
by the New York Herald today, as fol-
lows:
THE Friesland came from Antwerp On
the pier at the foot of Fulton street Mr..
Noots baggage was examined in the usual
fashion by the inspector. That is to say,
Mr.. Noots declaration that he had nothing
to declare was virtually accepted, and his
trunks were opened and the contents re-
ceived a few pokes, the lids being then
shut down and the baggage marked with
chalk in the mystic fashion which signi-
fieS Passed
Admitted the Accusation.
Mr.. Moot and his wife left the pier for
the Hotel Victoria, leaving orders for the
baggage to be sent thither. But the Gus
toms authorities had received word from
Europe that Louis Moot was bringing du-
table articles into this country. Special
Employe Theobald and Inspectress Ferris of
the customs service presently waited upon
him at the hotel. Mr.. Moot was accused
Of having concealed dutiable goods in his
baggage He admitted it. and accompanied
the officers back to the pier.
inside his trunks, sewed within shirt
bosoms, rolled up in feminine hosiery, faS-
tened in sleeves and tucked in various other
convenient places, was the dutiable lace,
which had cost about five thousand francs.
THE lace was seized and so was Mr..
Moot He was escorted to the Federal
building and arraigned before United States
Commissioner Alexander. He waived exam
ination, and was held in 81 900 bail to await
the action of the grand jury.
Mr.. Moot was well supplied with funds.
He pulled out an immense roll of bills from
his pocket and gave cash bail Immediately.
Mrs. Moot, who accompanied her husb band
to the building, had an attack of hysteria
in the corridor just before entering the
commissioners room. She was removed to
a side room and revived with ammonia and
fam"
Good Work Of Customs Agents.
The arrest is regarded as a tribute to the
system of the Treasury Department Of
keeping customs agents In foreign ports.
Inc Moot store on street has been
closed for about two weeks and sign in
the window announces that it will reopen
September with a new line of importa-
tons" No one could be found today who
knew the whereabouts of Mr.. Noot's son.
The family live IN Baltimore ON Bolton
avenue.
1t was said today that the Noots had done
not an inconsiderable business here In ex-
pensive laces, and that these, in most in
stances, were sold by Mrs. Moot, who would
visit ladies at their houses and dispose Of
the goods by private sale.