The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-12
new CUSTOMS REGULATION
Financier Had to Wait His Turn
and Have Trunks Examined .
Like Other People.

customs circles, where the officials
are wondering whether his arrival
will be accompanied by such a COM
bination Of circumstances, amusing as
we'll as embarrassing, as those which
occurred upon his last return to this
country, a year ago.
The story in detail of Mr.. Morgan's
experience at that time has been a
tom house for IL months. 1t was
told for the first time today to a re-
porter by a high customs official, who
is under no pledge of secrecy.
Up to April a year ago the customs
provisions of the Dingley law, that
American travellers returning from
abroad may bring into the country
free of duty wearing apparel to the
value of $500 only, had never been
strictly enforced.
In April Of last year, however, Col
lector Bidwell, under pressure from
big importers and dry goods men of
the city, determined to enforce the
very letter of the law. Every customs
inspector who had been known to have
accepted a tip was discharged from
the service, and deputy collectors
were placed upon the pier with in
structions strictly to
Enforce the Statute.
All this occurred during Mr.. Nor
CANS absence in Europe, and when he
arrived at quarantine last June he
signed the formal declaration under
the impression that it was still a mere
formality. He failed to declare sew
eral trunks of fine clothing from his
London tailor.
Having signed the formal declara-
ton, Mr.. Morgan was preparing to
leave the ship to board his yacht Cor
sair, which had come down the bay to
meet him. when he was politely in
formed by Colonel Storey, the board
ing officer in charge of the revenue
cutter, that under the new rules it
would be impossible to leave the ship
until it had reached the dock and the
examination of his baggage had been
thoroughly conducted.
Mr.. Morgan Flushed Up.
why, I have obeyed the law, SIR"
he said stiffiy. 81 have signed the
declaration"
Have you declared all our wear
ing APPAREL"
81 nave signed the usual declara-
ton. Isn't that all that is required?"
Yes; but you must understand, Mr..
Morgan. that a new set of rules has
gone into effect, and that the exami-
nation is very strict. Is your wearing
apparel purchased in Europe worth
10 than $lO0?"
Mr.. Morgan replied very frankly.
why. yes, it is worth several thou
sand dollars, but l have worn every
article as required by law"
"Oh, much more than that is re-
CURED" said Colonel Storey. politely.
Mr.. Morgan Was Indignant.
We'll, sir, he said, 'if any duty is
required to be paid, my clerk will at
tend to that. l desire to- leave the
pier Immediately upon my arrival"
you cannot do that, SIR said the
customs official. "The regulations
are very strict on that point, and |
regret that you must wait vour turn,
and that the examination of the bag
gage must be conducted in your pres
ence, and that you must pay the duty
before your trunks are taken off the
pier"
The examination of the baggage
is conducted according to the alpha,
bette order of the owners names.
There was a large passenger list
and Mr.. Morgan was required to wait
a considerable time before his trunks
were reached.
His Check No Good.
Finally the appraisal was complet
ed. Mr.. Morgan was assessed $1,26(
in duty. Mr.. Morgan produced his
~checkbood and said:
"How shall l make my check pay
able?"
Mr.. Morgan became more furious
than ever when told that his check
would not be accepted. The duties
must be paid in money, and United
States notes at that. He didn't havs
the cash. and another long wait en-
sued before it could be obtained. Mr.
Morgan complained to Frank Plat
Senator Platt's son, who told his faith
er all about it, and the latter went t.
Collector Bidwelk An investigation