Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-09-08
SMUGGLERS.
Uncle Sam Sets Numerous Traps for
Them.
Polished Agents Who Travel IN Fine Style on
Big Ocean Liners.

known in every country that nuts a
duty on certain imports, but how the
government officials put their hands
on the violators of the law is quite
another story. A late collector Of the
port once said that there would be
smuggling in as many generations to
come as one could count on his fingers
and possibly longer. Some think ii no
crime to steal from the rich" govern
ment, and they lay their plans to bring
in dutiable goods free as cautiously
and cleverly as does the burglar who
is about 10 break into a house There
isn't wide difference between the
two in the minds of strictly honest
citizens.
II Is not generally known TO globe
trotters, or even stay-at- homes. that
the United States has several Of the
brightest men in the customs service
constantly on the go, crossing and re-
crossing the Atlantic in search for
those who are likely to have bad mem
ories when ii comes to the point OF
making declaration. The latter is a
strong legal document to which every
incoming tourist has TO swear and
attiX his signature. So that when a
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
Inc government employees who make
these regular trips on the big liners are
IN the pay or the treasury department
II IS obvious that they are obliged 10
have gentlemanly presence and an
ahahility that usually marks the great
traveller. This affability is worth
great deal TO the government and il
mas been the downfall Of many SNUG
glers
Condolences are exchanged while the
hu6e 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 that he has pur-
chased abroad. learns, with a great
deal of interest, that his agreeable
companion, who says that he is a
broker, or something Of the sort. also
intends 10 devotS his energies to de-
frauding Uncle Sam. OF course. this
agreeable companion does not intend
to do anything 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 we'll
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 anyone
&c ha ErC a
in the examination OF his luggage
comes the funny part of the whole
thing.
Having made his declaration in the
main saloon coming up the bay the
same as the rest of the passengers
subscribed 70 the paper and received A
square white card with blue penciIed
numeral drawn across its face. he pre-
sents this to the customs officials on
the dock. and an inspector. who little
suspects who he is. dives into his
trunks and hand valise In the mean
time and while the passengers 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 with
in haillng distance of somebody who
does know him.
They shake hands as warmly as il
the whole thing was not made up, and
they act as il they hadn't seen each
other in 20 years. The newcomer is on
the collectors or surveyors staff. and
ne finds neatly folded piece Of paper
IN his hand when the secret agent
hastens off in search OF his baggage.
This paper is known from a TO q by
us new owner within a few minutes
ana the next interesting chapter is
when the whole thing is over and the
would-be smuggler is alone and asks
himself:
Now, how in the name OF all that's
reasonable, did they know | had that
jewelry?"
Paradoxical as il may seem. an
agent engaged in this kind OF work
must be well known, and at the same
time not properly known. 1t is essen
tial that he should have wide ac-
quaintance on both sides Of the ocean.
but the moment that his occupation
become generally known his useful
ness 10 the government ceases Under
such secrecy do these agents operate
that even the navigators Of the ships
on which they travel do not know their
calling. They pay full fare and take
out tickets in the regular way. some
times 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 |
for they find the best results |
Tor their labors there.
In addition to these travelling agents |
the government has in the chief cities |
or Europe, secret agents who keep
track OF all the big exporting houses |
and large jewelers.. These men get IS |
per day and all expenses. Their busi- |
ness demands that they become thor |
oughly acquainted with the principal |
hgures of all the large houses that have
american customers. They are never |
seen in the company of the travelling |
agents, though they frequently meet |
There are four of these agents in Lon
don, five in Paris, and three in Berlin. |
The land agent abroad gets the major
lty Of his tips through the employees of |
the houses where American purchases
are made. That the reins NAV be
drawn as tightly as possible on dis
honest tourists, the government has a