New-York tribune., 1901-08-14
PROBING FOR SILK FRAUDS
APPRAISER wAKEMAN HAS CALLED IN
THE IMPORTS OF SEVERAL FIRMS
FOR EXAMINATION.

- Anprafser Wakeman and other officials OF the
customs service were extremely reticent yester-
5sx in talking about the alleged discovery Of
large frauds in the appraising OF imported silk.
II Is said that the Appraiser had discovered that
hinge invoices OF silk had been appraised at far
below their actual value. 1t was hinted that
enpIoyes OF the department and silk import
ing houses were in collusion, and that the gov
srnnent had been robbed Of large sums Of
money.
Mr.. Wakeman admitted yesterday that he had
called in the goods OF number of silk importing
houses and was making examination TO see
II these goods had been properly appraised This
examination is being made owing 10 the belief
that certain appraisers in the service have been
passing japanese silks under value and getting
heavy pay therefor. Mr.. wakeman would not
sav how the alleged dishonesty Of appraisers
had come 10 his notice. except 10 intimate that
he had received letters from silk importing
houses who were either too honest or else not in
q position 10 make a "deaI' with the appraisers
estimating values
M Wakeman would no; say what firms were
involved. but intimated that about twelve CT
fifteen firms had been asked 10 send in their
goods for reappraisement Mr.. Wakeman indi-
Gated that favor from appraisers TO importing
houses would be OF great value TO japanese silk
importing houses. as the evasion of 10 per cent
capital practical control Of the market.
The report is that one appraiser received a
salary Of $1,000 a year from a silk firm; another
received valuable real e. ate, and a third was
sent 10 Europe for good time by firms bene-
NJ Wakeman refused TO discuss the letter Of
Secretary Gage 10 him relating certain exam
iners which was published in The Tribune yes
terday. He, instead, issued the following state
! received the order of the Treasury Depart
meut this morning, and have already carried
the same into effect, except as TO a modification
concerning which expect to hear from the
Treasury Department during the day. / have
nothing whatever TO say regarding the matter
and beg 10 refer you 10 the Treasury Depart
meut."
Mr.. Wakenan's friends point out that the Sec
retary in his letter does not hold that the
charges recently preferred against the Appraiser
have been approved. but that he bases his action
relative the temporary appointment OF eN-
aminers solely upon the decision Of the United
States Civil Service Commission That body de-
clined 10 approve the appointments in question
M Wakemsn asked that the Secretary's or
der be modified that William II. Mlchales
might De retained an examiner. The Ap-
Traiser received a telegram from Secretary Gage,
however. saying that the Civil Service Conmls-
sion declined 10 approve such q course MI
W-akerIan also received a message from EX-
aminer Charles c. Brown saying that he had
teleCraphed 10 the Secretary Of the Treasury
asking that he be relieved from duty pending
ar investigation Of charges Until short time
ago Brown had charge Of the examining room
n the silk division at the Public Stores. He
was recently transferred TO other work
A. s. Rosenthal Of A :. Ros=nthal q Co, at
80. - Creene-st.. declared that his firm was
innocent Of any wrOngdOing, and professed 10
b- at a loss 20 account for the charges. He
said that goods worth about S20,oJO imported
hv his irm had been ordered in for eXamina
ton, ordinary parlance, held up" c;
HorkOshi. a japanese silk importer at No. SO
Greene-st. said his goods had been held up at
times. He had had goods advanced, too but
he had no complaints 10 make.