The Washington times., 1901-08-25
THE ALLEGED SILK FRAUDS
Extent Of Irregularities in New
York Cannot Be Estimated.
Goods Which Shcw Errors - The
Examiners Transferred by APP
praiser Wnkeman Reinstated by
Order of Secretary Gage.

1t was stated yesterday at the Treasury
Department that Appraiser Wakeman had
reported additional invoices of Japanese
silks as showing errors in favor OF the
importers to Collector Bidweli of the New
York custom house. 1t is said to be Col
leetor Bidweils opinion that no one at
present can estimate the scope of the ir-
Irregularities or frauds in the Importation
of silk, and the amount of duty the i'm
porters did not pay, or of which they
evaded payment. The goods in the newly
discovered case are said to represent a
value of $4,000 and are reported to involve
fifteen cases of silks and fifteen cases OF
handkerchiefs.
1t was further stated that the work in
the appraisers laboratory in New York
has never been so brisk as 1t is now, and
the experts are able to test between 2UO
and $50 patterns per day. Every invoice
Will be subject to test, and. on the ques-
tion of weight, the new system of weigh
ing every piece in case, insts"1 aver
aging weight tests, is like ll continue
for some time.
The Secretary of the TT -sr-
day received a letter from -ts--
of importers. representing 1a sIsr rs %
the petition to the Treasun Dc 2r,nent
the public stores by Appraiser Wakeman
of the New York custom house.
After investigation, Mr.. Gage granted
the request Of the petitioners. and direct
ed Appraiser Wakeman to reinstate in
their former positions the examiners who
had been transferred to the docks. The
following is copy of the letter:
Referring TO our communication of the
Sth instant, in reply to certain statements
made by the appraiser at this port we
beg to enquire whether the department is
yet in possession of the facts which the
appraiser stated his readiness to furnish
in support Of his allegations, that, at
least enc of the signers of the petition,
whose representative appeared before the
department, has been guilty of practices
which should not give said signature any
standing before the department
The action of the department on Au-
gust Il, has removed the cause OF the
complaint stated in our communication
OF July %, but there uLhappiiy remains
the stigma of the appraisers allegations
above referred to, and which, by reason OF
their unSpecific character, attaches to
in question.
'1nasmuch as these allegations were
made in an official communication, We
feel compelled to ask through the DEPART
ment for the more specific report, which
the appraiser is prepared to furnish upon
its request. in order that those who have
been guilty of no offensive practice may
be relieved of the implied charge.
Trusting that the department will ap-
preciate the damaging position in which
we are placed by the wide publicity given
to the appraisers allegations, and that
those who are conscious of no wrongdo-
ing can only be Vindicdted through the
good offices of the department in calling
upon the appraiser for the report referred
to, We have the honor to be, very respect
fully, yours, j. M Peters, Chairman or the
Committee on Customs Administrative
Act, New York Board OF Trade and
transportation, George BergfeIdt * Co.:
Louis Meyers * Son, SemOn, Bache &c
Co: HolbrCok Bros; Jacob Adler,
Schwartz, Scheffer IL Co.: Theodore W.
Morris & Co.; Lazarus. Rosenfeld K Leh-
man.