The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-06
Treasury Officials Too Busy
Since February Last to
Take Up Charges Against
Porto Rico Customs Col
lector.
INSPECTORS PRAISE
ONLY PORTION QUOTED
Report Of Special Agent Cul-
lom Overlooked While In
situations Against Him
Are Made to Discredit His
Official Work.

The Treasury Department has issued
a statement IN defense of its failure to
take action in the Porto Rican col
lectorship case, in which it is said the
Department has not reached any defin-
lite decision. The charges made by special
Agent Leslie Cullom, who investigated
the case in accordance with department
instructions. were filed with Secretary
Shaw early in March. They were dated
February q. 1903. and it is these charges
the department says it has not had time
TO act upon.
A feature of the Treasury Department
statement is a personal defense of Col
lector Cruzen. as follows: 1T is known
10 the department that some of Mr..
Cruzen's enemies in Porto Rico were
inspired by his reporting attempts at
smuggling. He insists that the special
agent who investigated his office unin-
tentionally became subject to the in
fiuence of these enemies, and that the
report does him great injustice"
According to the Treasury Depart
ment's answer to the charges Cullom is
now suspected by the department oil
having entered into a conspiracy with
persons charged by the collector with
smuggling. Cullom remains in the ser
vice, and so far as can be learned M
action has been taken on these charges
made in the department The entire
matter has been allowed to sleep. fol
the reason that the department has bu
one special agent who speaks Spanish
and he has not had time to go to tn,
island to review Culloms investigation
of Crrzen.
Only Praise Quoted.
Attention is called by the Treasury
Department to the fact that Mr. Cullon
found much to commend in Mr. Cruzen's
conduct Of the office of collector This
is the second time the Treasury De-
partment has pointed out the words OF
praise. Ii was rumored. when Cullom
made his report 90 the Treasury De-
partment last March. that a serious
state of affairs had been found on the
island. Inquiry was made at the
Treasury Department and the answer
was made that Collector Cruzen had
been found to be indiscreet in two o.
three instances in accepting presents
from admiring friends. but that thu
presents had not taken the form o
brides and were in no way traceabl,
TO his position as collector. II was de-
clared at the Treasury Department tina
no charges OF a serious nature had beer
made by Agent Cullom. The report wa
never made public.
Mr.. Cullom comments on the situa
ton. and follows his comment will
evidence against Mr.. Cruzen as fol
lows:
Severe CensuTe Advised.
while there is much that may b.
commended regarding the administra
ton of the customs service OF the dis
trict. there are also some irregularitie
which, in my judgment. IL not fragrant
deserve severe censure. These relat
to practices that should be corrected. a
well as salaries that should be read
justed. and II the suggestions and rec
concentrations submitted herein NEE
the approval of the department, goo
results. in my opinion. will follow.
at is fair to state that the situatio
in Porto Rico Is somewhat unique and g
times trying. owing to the fact Of tn
remoteness Of the island from the Unite
States the poor weekly only mail ia
cilities. the novelty of conditions sine
American occupation. and. particularly
the question OF dealing with an excit
able, suspicious and largely untutore
Latin people, who have been so latel
liberated from practical serfdom. wh
speak a different language from us. an
who have largely different habits an
methods OF doing business from those I
vogue IN the United States.
Judge All by Officials There
America and Americans arc judge
by our Representatives there in publ
place. Any misfit in such place-or an
overrcaching-is quickly and sharpl
noted and pointed out, TO the gre.
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