New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-11

FRIENDS HOPE THAT VINDICAToN IN
SILK CASES WILL RESTORE
HIM TO OFFICE.

The possible restoration Of Wilbur F. Wake
man to the place Of Appraiser Of the Port on
account Of the developments in connection with
the japanese silk cases. and the arrest OF
Rosenthal and Conn., charged with fraud, IN
ferested Mr.. wakemans acquaintance last
night It was reported that the Merchants AS
ISOLATION hacked by the American Protective
Tariff League would take the initiative in ask
ing the President to restore Mr.. Wakeman TO
his old place. When Charles A. Moore presi-
dent Of the American Protective Tariff League
was asked about the matter, he said:
The American Protective Tariff League Will
not take the initiative in any such action.
doubt if Mr. wakernan would accept the place
IL IL were offered 10 him, although he is a poor
man. and the salary would naturally be at
tractive to him. L regard the findings of Mr.
Smith as a complete vindication of Mr.. Wake
man. He was In a position where If he had
been dishonest he could have made so much
money that his income would have made OLD
Cresus appear like Park Row panhandler IN
comparison. He would only have had to let
others do the stealing, and there would have
been no trouble. It was because he stood up
and fought in accordance with what he believed
TO be his sworn duty that he lost his place"
When ex-Secretary Gage was asked concern
ing the suggestion from Mr.. Wakeman's friends
secretary Of the Treasury, might take the ini-
tative in asking the President to restore Mr..
Wakeman, Mr.. Gage said:
Mr.. wakeman's removal was the Presidents
act. The President took action apparently after
being satisfied from his own purview that cir
curnstances warranted It. / don't know what
Mr. Smith has found in the way of evidence
against the persons arrested. Sometimes it is
easier to arrest than to convict"
lis Mr. Smith regarded a competent ofl-
csal?"
Yes" said Mr.. Gage. Mr.. Smith is COM
petent man, and doubtless he has found some
thing TO warrant his action
Fx-Appraiser Wakeman yesterday made the
following statement for publication:
wish to congratulate the administration and
every one identified with the recent develop
naent in connection with the japanese sim
frauds. This investigation was inaugurated ps
me in August 1901. The cases are now in such
shape through the searching and exhaustive
Investigation Of w Wickham smith. Spetlat
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, that theS
will have proper attention, but naturally turn
10 those government officials who were RESPONSE
bic fer these cases. and the lack OF prosecutor
when they were first reported by me In august
last -
In endeavoring to discharge my duty as
United States Appraiser. in accordance with the
law and regulations / found my efforts blocked
in every direction by certain government OH
GERS who are named as follows: -
Firstly the action Of Assistant Appraiser
Sherwood and Examiner Brown -.
Secondly the action OF the Collectors or
fee. -. =. ..,a
Thirdly the decision of the Solicitor OF tne
Treasury based on the hypothetical question
submitted by the Collectors office.
Fourth-By the opinion and attitude OF Cn1oeu
States District Attorney Burnett
Filthy the decision of General appraiser
Sharretts ,.-
Sixth-By the failure Of Assistant Secretary
SpauIding and Secretary Gage 10 give me de-
partInental support -,. no
Seventh-By the decision Of the treasury u
rartment on the report of Supervising Speclai
AGENT Chance and Special Empioye JoHhsoii
exonerating the importers and practicaAy HUI
ing them blameless for any wrongdolng 49,
After the department had written It's letter
,oractically generating RoSenthal q 60. lIoiii
blame and the letter had been pubilshed, lne
matter was taken up again by the MeIChtiI a
Association of this city, and relnVestlgatIoiII
ra1uesfed Instead Of the Treasury Department
selecting one of its own officers, capable Oh man
ing the investigation Special Agent converse ..
Smith of Boston, who had no acQuSili C9
with the subject whatever, was sent 70 Nc"
York where he spent two or three weeks coiI-
smiling with Examiner Brown, and never az
rived At any conclusion. 1t was commonly IN
zsrstood that the Treasury officials at WASH
tngton who had sent him here desired a Wn4oe-
washing report, 10 the end that their ehoLlS
On onposition to the Appraiser in the Rosenthai
matter might have that much support. -.
Fortunately, however, the recomrnenoauon "
the Merchants Association preVaiied, anu the
president called upon the Attorney General IoF
she appointnent of a Deputy Assistant Al lo =,
nov General 10 review the entire case, with the
results already made known through the he"7
papers