The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-26
THE CUSTOM HOUSE FIGHT
Secretary Gage Said to Have Warn
ed New York Officials.
= Report That Removals VIII Fol
low Unless the Quarrel Between
the Collectors and Appraisers De
pnrtments Is Brought to- "A Close

NEW YORK, June 26.-George r. Bid
well. Collector: Wilbur f. Wakeman, APP
praiser- Robert 4. Sharihey, Naval Officer,
and Silas @. Croft, Surveyor Of the Port,
all figure in u story that circulated yes
terday at the custom house.
Senator Platt's return from Washing
ton on Sunday night. with his subsequent
announcement that he did not know any
thing about the appointment Of sue
cessor to Mr.. WakeInan, doubtless gave
rise to certain runaors yesterday that
proved disquieting to the officials named
It seems that the friction between the
collectors and appraisers offices has not
died out, and 1t recently came to the ears
Of Secretary Gage that Mr.. wakeman's
enemies were preparing for a fresh on
slaught on him, with the idea of securing
his removal by the President The ap-
praiser holds his place solely by grace of
the President, and can be retired at any
time This fact has given certain inter
ests hope that if the attacks were kept
up long enough MI WakeTnan would have
to go.
It was learned yesterday that Mr..
Wakeman saw the President two weeks
| ago. Senator Plat visited the President
about a week ago. Collector RidweN also
saw the President a short time ago. Naval
Officer Sharkey's term expires within the
next three weeks Mr.. Croft has not very
| long to serve. Mr.. BidweIl has been re-
| appointed. The others are somewhat
anxious. All was fairly serene until this
week, when the old feeling OF anita gonism
between the collectors and appraisers Of
/ fees was revived. Then something hap
| pened at the Washington end that forced
| the local officials to believe that close
watch was being kept on the situation in
| this city.
1t was reported yesterday on trust
worthy authority that Secretary Gage,
( with the authority of the President, had
! plainly intimated to the Federal officials
| in this city whose terms are about to ex-
! pire that the internal strife must cease
/ at once, else Eoue of those most interest
ed would be reappointed, and Collector
! BiGweII's resignation might be asked for,
| too The intination given to the officials
! was that there seemed to be pressing need
| of chastisenent all around, and that the
| chastisement would be meted cut with
| proper severity unless local conditions
| improved at once
| Collector BidweII is confined to his home
I with q heavy cold, and could not be
| reached. When Wakeman was seen, he
| said:
I am not aware of the existence of any
| particular difference between the ColIec-
/ tors Office and mine at this time There
| have been differences, it is true, but ray
policy has been to forget all differences
| as soon as they are settled. This Office
has been quite generally sustained by the
1 highest courts. / saw the President two
weeks ago, and he had 70 fault TO finG."
Mr.. Wakeman was asked about the sur
reptiuOus removal of some valuable cor
Tespondence from his Office by an en-
! plOye who later was transferred to the
collectors office. Further than admitting
that there had been such a case, he would
not talk about it.
| Naval Officer Sharkey said: II think
the relations between the collector and
the appraiser are more cordial than usual
/ l don't believe there is anything IN the
story that Washington is dissatisfied with
| anything here Mr.. BidWelI has been re-
appointed, and there is no Indication that
Mr.. Wakeman viii not stay where he IS
! l expect to be reappointed.' -
It Is understood that Dudley Phelps and
Edward s Flower are candidates for dr
/ WakemaE's place. Mr.. Wakeuan has the
I support of Charles a. Moore. a personal
friend OF the President; OF the American
protective Tariff League. and OF some %
the leading Chicago merchants. It was
reported yesterday that Mr. Moore was
going to see the President this week witt
/ reference TO the local situation