New-York tribune., 1901-08-25
PLOT TO SMUGGLE CHINESE.
AN EXTENSIVE CONSPIRACY DIsCov-
Erred AT NoGALEs. ARIz.
COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, IMMIGRANT IN
sPECToR AND OTHERS ARRESTED
FRAUDS THOUGHT TO ETARGE

Washington. Aug. 24-Probably the most i'm
portant arrests ever made in connection with
the smuggling of Chinese across the Mexican
border into the United States were made yes
terday in Arizona, when William NJ. Hoey. COL
rector OF customs at Nogales; B. 2. Jossey an
immigrant inspector; Frank How Chinaman
living in Nogales. and another Chinaman living
at Clifton. Mex, just across the border from
Nogales. were taken into custody by special
agents Of the Treasury- and Secret Service Off
GERS Other arrests are expected to follow with
IN day or two. 1t is said that with two or
three exceptions the whole customs and immi-
grafton administrations at Nogales are involved.
Some time ago official of the Treasury De-
partment, having Nogales his headquarters.
wrote to the department that he had reason 70
believe the official force at that point was
rupt and that Chinese in large numbers were
being smuggled across the border for consid-
Grafton A Secret Service officer was sent there
at once, and plans were laid to secure evidence
against the persons under suspicion Several
Cinnamon were furnished with money and sent
on to buy their way through the official Gordon.
This was accomplished without difficulty, the
price demanded being from $50 TO 5000 The
Secret Service men also arranged with or
TWO employees. whose honesty had been tested. to
go into the collectors office at certain time
and demand share of the money received from
Cinnamon. and to be admitted into the com
bination so that they might get their share Of
the proceeds of future deals. This was reluc-
tantly agreed to, and considerable sums Of money
were handed over in the presence and full hear
Hls OF a secret Service man, who had previously
secreted himself in ar Office near by.
me ofhcIals soon found that Cinnamon who
presented certificates marked with the letter
A were allowed TO proceed without question,
While those having certificates that did not bear
this cabalistic mark were turned back without
afEr -Tlr
letter A on a certificate indicated that the
amount demanded had been paid Several
Chlnamen We're sent through with the requisite
A mark on their certificates made by OF
The Secret Service men. The utmost care and
secrecy were maintained from the first to secure
a special United States attorney will be detailed
10 prosecute the persons arrested
Hoey was appointed collector about a year
and half ago. His home Is in MunCie. Ind.
Jossey came from the State OF Washington.
When Huey received his appointment ne came
duties, and Secretary Gage talked with him on
the duty OF public officials. He cautioned
10 avoid every temptation 10 wroDgdoiug. and
told that 70 a certain limited extent the honor
ct the government was placed in his hands.
Secretary Gage explained that his predecessor at
NoSales had been removed because Of certain
alleged violations Of the Civil Service laws and
regulations. and warned him that his admins
tration 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
conntvance Of the Nogales officials is not known,
but is believed 10 be large \ special agent has
been ordered 10 Nogales 70 take charge of the
Office II he finds il necessary.