New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-27
CUSTOMS FRAUDS ON THE PIERS.
BAGGAGE PASSED UNDER BOGUS INsPEc-
TORS MARKS. IT IS ALLEGED-IN-
vEsTIGATIoN ORDERED.

The Customs officials have begun quiet tnvssti-
Cation II ls said. 20 how trunks containing du-
table goods have been taken OF the steamship
piers A number OF cases u this kind have been
made public IN the last two months, and the on
cials are said 70 believe that the smugglers have
been receiving assistance from some one inside the
department In the case OF Mrs Shannahan. the
Forty-sixth-st- dressmaker, the trunks were re-
moved from the Hamburg-American Line pier and
taken 70 the house before ". z Theobald. the spe-
clal Treasury Agent discovered that all was not
right Another case was that OF the Chicago dress
maker. Mrs Hall
The Customs people on the steamship piers will
not say much for publication, but II IS generally
known that IN both of these cases the trunks were
marked IN chalk with the number OF an Inspector
who says ne never them The theory Is that
of the trunks examined by inspector
in the regular way and marked IN chalk wiJr his
number While this being done the trunks not
examined were chalked by some one familiar with
the numbers Of the inspectors.
The consequence Of this trouble is that, while
there is more Of delay IN passing big steam
ships. the inspection Is more thorough The In
spectors Will take no chances. Now each piece is
inspected. and a result the services OF the ap-
praisers are constantly wanted The examination
OF baggage from the Oceanic yesterday and The
Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse Tuesday took con-
siderable time, but the Customs Offices on tire piers
were filed with persons paying excess duties. The
tip has gone out 10 take great care in looking over
the cabin baggage. most Of the attempts 70
by saloon passengers II has been the custom 70
give but the most superficial examination % the
baggage OF prominent persons who travel IN some
cases baggage has been marked without opening
Experience, however. has taught the Customs Off
Gals that even prominent persons are not above
trying TO get goods through the customs without
paying duty.
As illustrating the extreme caution OF the In
spectors in examining baggage, the following Incl
dent might De related On the Kaiser Wilhelm. OF
the North German Lloyd Line on TUESDAY was a
young woman who was extremely anxious 10 leave
the pier. She secured the services Of an inspector
ana when ne came to examine her trunks she said
mere IS no good opening them. There Is nothing
duLlaole inside, as you can see BY declarau On-
l must open them" he said. for have 70 be
very careful now. They have Two men watch
At the Custom House official would admit that
an investigation OF the methods OF the inspectors
was under way. but from outside source came
the informal ton that the authorities Washington
mad communicated with Collector Bidweu regard
Ing the possibility Of acts Of fraud IN manner
I outlined.
Special Agent Theobald yesterday seized at the
or1ce OF F gill, No. SIS BrOome-st., a quantity OF
drugs and other things which 1t is alleged duty
had not been paid Mr. GIN arrived here from Ger
many last Friday or the Kaiser Friedrich.