The Washington times., 1903-10-04
Remarkable Disclosures as
to Customs Service in
Porto Rico and Collector
CruZen.
Agent Charged With Virtual
Demand OH Shippers for
Presents of Value Admit
ted Free of Duty.

t(0 ~ vi GotIs
at has been charged that Collector
Cruzen had been in the habit of accept
ing presents of more or less value from
certain large importers and ship agents,
some of which presents, it is alleged,
were requested or practically demanded
by him in the performance of his regu-
lar duties as collector.
when carefully interviewed on the
subject by me he did not deny, when
specific instances were cited and the
clear and unmistakable proof of which
was in my possession, that he had re-
ceived presents of cases of wines, whis-
ky, and beer, but did deny that he
had made any request or demand for
the same"
Extract from report by Special Agent
Leslie Cullom Of examination OF the Gus
toms business in the district of Porto
Rico. under Treasury Department in
struction of February Is. 1903
Six months ago a report was made 10
Secretary Shaw OF a condition of affairs
in the customs Office in Porto Rico
which, If it had not been suppressed,
would have softened the effect of the
scandals in the Postoface Department.
General Land once. and other bureaus
plunged into disrepute through an ex-
pose of irregularities by Government Of
hciais.
Special Agent Leslie CuIlom. who
made the investigation for the Treasury
Department. reported that Collector Cru
zen had not only been accepting what
the agent designates as bribes but that
he had made ship agents and importers
feel it was necessary to placate him
with valuable presents in order to in
sure proper regard for their business.
The report has just leaked out, despite
efforts by Treasury Department officials
to whitewash it. For some reason, po-
ANA~t@t VI 1AaNA WloNs OOAAtS1tl "a uLCA ms
been retained in his position, and so far
as can be learned in Washington has
not been reprimanded for. many fragrant
violations OF the customs laws, emu
merated by Mr.. Cullom in his report
and substantiated IN many instances
with afidavits from ship agents.
Cruzen Still in Office.
The charge against Collector Cruzen.
however went beyond the acceptance of
presents from shipowners and import
ers. Mr. Cullom, In checking up the
custom shouse property. found that fur
niture had been taken from the Gov
ernment Offices and earted TO the home
OF the collector. several miles distant,
and not a scratch appeared on the Gus
toms house books to show for the mis-
use OF the property.
Going further than this. Mr. CulIom
says DIR. Cruzen had made charges for
storage of transit baggage. and that no
books were kept to show the exten; OF
the revenues from this source. other
than an inspectors memorandum torn
from a pocket record once a month or
at even longer intervals. Still another
irregularity pointed out by the special
agent is the manner OF requiring de-
posits from ship agents in lieu OF resi-
due cargo bonds. In once instance at
least II is shown that Mr.. Cruzen had
accepted a present. valued at s25, In
place OF the bond. and that this present
hac been delivered at his home.
No Duty on Presents.
Probably the most serious feature OF
these matters" says Mr.. Cullom. 'is
that some of these presents (dutiable
merchandise were taken directly from
foreign steamers BY customs house en-
ployes. sent by the collector for that
purpose. and delivered to him ct the
custom house or at his residence. with
out entry OF same having been made. or
duty paid"
In commenting upon tho acceptance of
presents by Collector Cruzen, Mr.. Gull
ION says the general denial entered by
the collector to any request or demand
on his part covers all the cases he has
cited in the report to the department.
Continuing. Mr.. culiom says:
In relation to such irregularities the
collector alleges that the people of
Porto Rico generally have little regard
for the truth; that they are treacherous.
and that they dislike Americans and
are lying In wait to criticise them or
get them IN trouble. My brief stay on
the island hardly renders me a com
petent witness as to these charges of
moral laxity especially so far as some
OF these charges relate 10 some OF the