The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-09
False Invoice Frauds.

Jan. 9.-It is estimated that the government
has lost by false invoices in the custom ser
vice about 81 1850, 900 year. Wilbur F. Wake
man, ex-appraiser of the port, has returned
to this city from Washington, where he
visited the White House at the presidents
invitation and had talk with Mr.. Roose-
welt about the prosecution of the Japanese
silk fraud cases. He will take part in the
prosecution of these cases. When asked what
the government had lost through certain
frauds discovered in the customs service, Mr..
Wakeman said, with much emphasis:
I'm my judgment, the government has been
defrauded out of at least 100000 year in
connection with the Importation of japanese
silks and in connection with goods of similar
character from the continent, including silk
hat bands, ETC., the government has been de-
frauded of nearly $750,000 year.
1t was learned tina: the frauds in the i'm
portation of Japanese silks extended over
a period of at least ten years, and that the
total sum the government had lost in duties
on this line of goods. was more than sS.0C0,
600, and perhaps just as many million dollars
on goods of similar character from the con-
tinent.
Croker Preparing to Migrate.
Tammany democrats were greatly interested
last night over the ar nouncement that about
sixty boxes of household effects belonging
to Richard Croker were shipped yesterday to
England on the Iceland Of the Red Star
line, which took the place of one of the regu
lar American line boats. What surprised the
intimate friends of Mr. Croker was the early
shipment of the goods and the extent and
apparent variety of the contents. 1t was re-
ported last night that the shipment Of Mr..
Croker's household effects to-day portends his
early departure for Vantage. The character
of the shipment indicates in the minds Of
4bo foif f,,1 who tudi watch
move Of the Tammany chieftain that he is
going this time for a long stay.
At the Democratic club last night 1t was
said, that while it was known that Mr.
Croker had shipped quantity of belongings
to England 1t was not known how soon he
would start for the other side. The early
shipment Of his belongings, however, makes
many of his friends think that Tammany will
be without its ruler after the American line
boat leaves her pier on Wednesday next.
PIatt's Health Is Bad.
The New York Press in a column story
about Senator Piatt says: Thomas G. Plat,
United States senator, is in a condition Of
health which alarms himself as well as his
friends. It is not the sudden stroke of par
alysis but that of old age and constitution
burned out by too many affairs of Importance
that required more time and trouble than the
old man we'll could afford
The result is that a bodyguard, or rather
safeguard, attends him almost day and
night. The mere presence OF this bodyguard
is an indication that Plat recognizes his
physical incapacity. Plat to-day simply tot
tiers around from the Fifth Avenue hotel to
No. 50 Broadway, the United States Express
company's offices, and is attended at every
step by safeguard.
What the senator fears now is an attack
of paralysis, and to have man beside him
when that comes on he has engaged one Of
the most powerful and ready men in the city
to attend him. He is Frank Gillespie, a
former captain of the fire department and one
of the members of the old Gillespie family
of Ulster county, Of which James Gillespie
Blaine was proud to boast.
Bound to Stay In America
Wardmen Maher and Kennedy have ar
rested Augustine Prot, who is said to be
wanted by Immigrant Commissioner Fitchie.
The Prot woman according to the story told
by Maher before Magistrate Olmsted in, the
Jefferson Market police court yesterday, is
a native Of Paris. and arrived in this country
on May 26, 1901 When She was prevented
from landing she sent word to = countryman
ot hers named Prot whom she persuaded 70