The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-08
MORGAN HELD
UP ON PIER
Compelled TO Pay Duty on For
slgn Made Clothing.
CHECK WAS NOT ACCEPTED
Cusioms 0lflcsrs Insisted on Cash AMI
Barnsy BlgIIu Came TO The AID Of
tha Null MIIlIenahs.

New York. Aug. s--J. Pierpont Morgan.
n Is announced, will sail from England
Aug. l3. bound for New York. His home-
coming is awaited with deep interest in
the financial world. as well as In United
States customs circles, where the officials
are wondering whether his arrival will oe
accompanied by such a combination OF
circumstances, amusing as we'll as en-
barraeing, as those which occurred upon
his last return To this country a year
ago.
The story In detail OF Mr.. Morgan's ex-
perience at that time has been care
fully guarded secret in the custom house
for " months. 1t was told for the first
time yesterday TO a reporter by high
customs official. who is under no pledge
OF secrecy.
Up to April a year ago the customs
provision OF the Dingley law that Ameri-
can travellers returning from abroad may
bring into the country free OF duty wear
Ing apparel TO the value OF 800 only had
never been strictly enforced The usual
form of declaration which Is signed upon
arrival OF the steamer at quarantine was
regarded both her passengers and the
customs officials as a mere formality.
NO TIPS AND NO CHECKS TAKEN.
In April of last year. however. Collector
Bidwell. under pressure from the big
importers and dry goods rnen 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 dismissed from the service, ana
deputy collectors were placed upon the
pier with instructions TO strictly enforce
the statute.
They were further instructed To follow
the practice which obtains at the custom
house OF not accepting cheeks in payment
of duties, as the law requires that only
United States notes and coin shall be
taken
All this occurred during Mr.. Morgan's
absence I'm Europe. and when he arrived
at quarantine last June he signed the
formal declaration under the impression
that II was still a mere formality. He
failed TO declare several trunks of fine
clothing from his London tailor-the same
one, by the way. who made his new cele-
brated silk knee-breeches, I'm which he ap-
peared before the king at Ambassador
Choate's dinner.
Having signed the formal declaration.
Mr. Morgan was preparing to leave the
ship to board his yacht Corsair. which had
come down the bay To meet him, when he
was politely informed by Colonel Story.
the boarding officer In charge OF the rev.
enue cutter that under the new rules II
would be impossible for him to leave the
ship until II had reached the dock and
the examination of his baggage had been
Thoroughly conducted
Mr.. Morgan flushed UP.
why. have obeyed the law sir" he
said stiffly. 'Ihave signed the declara-
ton
Have you declared all Of your wearing
apparel?"
IL signed the usual declaration. Isn't
that all that Is reduired?
"Yes. but you must understand, Mr..
Morgan. that a new set OF rules has gone
into effect, and that the examination is
very strict Is your wearing apparel pur-
chased in Europe worth more than 500.
Mr.. Morgan replied very frankly:
|'s why, yes, II Is worth several thou
sand dollars. but i have worn every arti-
Gle. as required by law"
HIS CHECK WAS REFUSED.
Finally the appraisal was completed.
Mr. Morgan was assessed $3.50 I'm duty
Mr., Morgan produced his check book ana
said:
How shall I make my check paya-
ble?"
IL regret very much. sir. that we cannot
4 accept checks" said Deputy Collector
\ Cooley who has charge OF the collection
bureau on the dock.
{I At that moment George W. Perkins.
Mr.. Morgan's partner. rushed up and
said;
''whati You WIFI not take the check of
~. i. Morgan & Cor
NO. sir; cannot under the law" said
Mr.. Cooley.
This is amazing" said Mr.. Perkins
f'Neither Mr.. Morgan por myself has that
much money here"
N "Weil. we cannot release the trunks
until the money has been paid. We can
not accept anything but legal tender. We
can't take bank notes"
III In this emergency Barney Biglln the
politician. who for many years had the
contract for the transfer OF Immigrants
baggage from the steamship company
stepped up. Mr. Biglin usually kept several
Thousand dollars on the pier to pay duty on
Immigrants articles. Turning TO the GUS
loms Inspector ne said. why I'll cash
SIR Morgan's check" Mr.. Morgan hand
I'd him the check. and Mr.. Biglin indorsed
u in his presence.
BIGLIN's NAa1r DIDN'T GO EITHER.
Mr.. Morgan left the pier under the i'm
preston that the government officials had
-efused his check. but accepted Il after
Barney Biglin had indorsed IT, The facts
are that Inspector cooley had not nc
hepted Mr.. Morgan's check, neither had
iIe had merely agreed to hold the check
for n few seconds while Barney Bixnn
vent about % steps TO his strong box TO
get si2e0 OF United States currency