Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-11
Smugglers of Immigrants
Now in Custody.
7 AIKEN IN THE ACT
INSPECTOR FRANCIS AND HIS AS
SISTANTS
Seize Two Launches and Their Pas
sengers-All Held for Prosecution
by Department Of Justice.

What fs claimed TO be the most tupor-
tant capture Of smugglers in years was
effected by officers of the United States
immigration bureau at Buffalo Saturday
night The report reached the Department
Of Commerce and Labor today. 1t appears
that the immigration officers received a
tip" from some good friend to the service
to the effect that man named Snyder al
legged to have been engaged for many
years IN the business OF smuggling Chi.
nese and other aliens across the border
into the United States. would attempt to
land some Roumanians and Hungarians
about two miles north Of Buffalo on the
Niagara river. at Schlosser's dock
Two Captures Made.
All day Saturday Chief Inspector Joseph
Francis and five assistants patrolled the
river in the vicinity of SchIosser's dock.
The smugglers did not appear and at
night fall Francis divided the party. taxi
ing Inspectors Felstyner and Leonard
with him and hiding under the dock. In
spectors Felleman and Pierce, with Ste
nographer named Clark went further up
the river to keep a lookout there. Scarcely
had the parties taken their positions when
Inspector Francis saw small launch
steamng toward Schlosser's dock. The
craft looked suspicious, and when 1t had
tied up to the wharf the inspectors, headed
by Francis, jumped aboard with drawn
revolvers and arrested the captain. who
proved to be the notorious and muchly
needed Snyder. With him, in charge OF
the launch, were son and farm hand,
whose name the report does not give.
On board were nineteen Roumanians, all
of whom We're placed under arrest. The
inspectors, coming they did from the
darkness, caught Snyder unawares and he
could not put up fight. While this cap
ture was being made two row boats were
noticed coming toward the shore, and the
second party under Inspector Felleman,
made chase. No trouble was encountered
this time, either. and Snyders son Albert.
with three Hungarians was captured.
All the smugglers and aliens are held at
Buffalo and the Department Of Justice has
been requested to cooperate with the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor that the
law breakers may receive the full penalty
of the law and example made in this
instance which shall not be soon forgot
ten.
Importance of snyder's Capture.
In calling attention of the Attorney Gen
eral to the matter great stress Is laid
upon the importance of the capture. Sny-
der is believed to have smuggled thou
sands OF Chinese across the border as well
as much dutiable goods The officials never
have been able to capture Snyder with
the goods" and have never made a case
against him. 1t is said he receives one
dollar apiece from the aliens, other than
Chinese; the Chinese. of course, paying
much more for obtaining admission TO this
country.
The law prescribes penalty for Snug
Cling aliens of fine of 81 600, or imprison-
ment for not less than three months nor
more than two years, or both, in each case
AS the department seems determined te
fix the maximum penalty on Snyder and
his sons, they may be fined so, 600 and i'm
priSoned for forty-four years.
The credit for the capture is given to In
spector Francis, whose administration at
Buffalo has been very satisfactory to the
department. The United States attorney
for the western district Of New York has
been advised to prosecute the cases with
out delay. The launch and two row boats
have been sliced by the department.