The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-25
From $50 to 800 Received from Each
Chinaman Who Was Permitted to
Cross the Mexican Border.
HUGE CONSPIRACY UNEARTHED
MR.. HOEY SUMMONED BACK TO HIS
POST WHILE AT PHOENIX.
Chinese Who Paid the Price Asked
Alleged to Have Been Given
Certificates Marked GA"

WASHINGTON. Aug. A.-Presumably
the most important arrests ever made in
connection with the smuggling of Chinese
across the Mexican border into the United
States were made yesterday in Arizona,
when William M. Hoey, collector of cVs-
toms at Nogales; b. f. Jossey. an i'm
migrant inspector; Frank How, a China
man, living In Nogales, and another China
man. living at Clifton Mexico, just across
the border from Nogales, were taken into
custody by special agents of the treasury
and secret service operatives. Other ar
rests are expected to follow within day
or two. II is stated that with two or three
exceptions the whole customs and immi-
grafton administrations at Nogales are in
volved.
Some time ago. an official of the Treas
ury Department. having Nogales as his
headquarters. wrote the department he had
reason to believe the offfcial force at that
point was corrupt. and that Chinese in
large numbers were being smuggled across
the border for a consideration secret
service operative was sent here at once and
plans laid to secure evidence against the
persons under suspicion. Several Chinese
were furnished with money and sent on to
buy their way through the official Gordon.
Il
the price demanded being from $50 to $500.
The secret service men also arranged with
one or two employees whose honesty had
been tested to go into the collectors Office
at q certain time, and demand a share of
the money being received from Chinese,
and to be admitted into the combination
SO that they might get their share of the
proceeds of future deals. This was reluct-
antly agreed to. and considerable sums of
money were handed over I'm the presence
and full hearing of a secret service man,
who had previously secreted himself in a
nearby office closet
The officials soon found that Chinese who
presented certificate marked with letter
were allowed TO proceed without ques-
ton. while those having certificates that
did not bear this cabalstic mark were
turned back without ceremony Later on
II was developed that the letter on
certificate indicated that the amount de-
manded had been paid. Several Cinnamon
were sent through with the requisite "a
mark on their certificates made by one OF
the secrct-service men. The utmost care
and secrecy was maintained from the first
70 secure positive proof against each man
under suspicion. A special United States
attorney will be detailed to prosecute the
persons arrested.
Hoey was appointed collector about
year and half ago. His home is in Mum
Gle. Ind. Jossey came from the State of
Washington. When Hoey received his ap-
pointmePt he came 10 Washington to re-
ceive instructions to his duties. and at
that time Secretary Gage took occasion to
talk with him on the subject of the duty of
public officials. He was cautioned TO avoid
every temptation to wrongdoing and that
to a certain limited extent the honor of the
government was placed in his hands. Sec
retary Gage explained that his predecessor
at Nogales had been displaced because of
certain alleged violations of the civl-service
laws and regulations. and warned him that
his administration of the Office must be at
all times clean and above suspicion for his
own honor and that of the country.
The number of Cinnamon who have
bought their way into the United States
through the alleged connivance of the
Nogales officials is not known. but it is be-
lieve6 TO be large. A special agent has
been ordered 10 Nogales TO take charge OF
the office IL he finds il necessary.
A telegram was received in Indianapolis
yesterday from w. NJ. Hoey. making
general denial of the charges OF corruption
In his office at Nogales. He says the press
reports are withou: foundation.