New-York tribune., 1906-11-15
FOUR TRICK ELEPHANTS
On GoUern,men Hands Until Ques-
ton of Valuation Is Settled.
From The Tribune Bureau.l

wasbineton Nov l4-The Treasury Department
is confronted with the predcament of the potentate
in Wang Just four times multiplied. for II has
a quartet of trick elephants on its hands The big
beasts are sust at present in possession OF Col
lsctor Strsnahan at New York. and II the owner,
n man named Thompson, does not succeed in re-
covering the pechyderms by legal means the Col
ector will be obliged to sell them at public auction
Assistant Secretary Reynolds. who has direct turis
diction over customs matters. ordered Collector
Stranahsn 10 seize the elephants several days ago,
and to-day received the New York officials word
that the animals all safely in his possession
Mr. Reynolds ordered the seizure upon information
conveyed to him through the Collectors Office
which convinced him that Thompson had greatly
undertalued the elephants when he recently
brought them in through the port OF Buffalo Now
Mr. Reynolds Is confronted with the problem Of
feeding and housing the quadrupeds until they are
taken off Uncle Sans hands.
mfr. Thompson, the owner. sTore 70 valuation
Of $4,000 when he brought the elephants in from
Canada through the port at Buffalo," said Mr..
Reynolds but appraisers in New York are
convinced that they worth $4,000 more. Mr..
Thompson brought the elephants into the
country about year ago. and at that time gave
bond 10 the amount of s6 900 guarantee that he
would take them back 70 Canada The fact that ne
gave this amount Of bond does not necessarily
mean that his elephants are worth $1,000 for the
bond returned TO him. and he knew it would
be given back when he gave it. Therefore. when
he brought them in later with the avowed intention
Of keeping selling them in the country and
valued them 81. 800 for customs purposes moth
ing was thought OF the matter. But recently, when
Mr.. Thompson tried TO sell the elephants and be-
gan 10 boost the prices high into the thousands.
the department thought 1T about time to sit and
take notice. Collector Stranahan was instructed
TO call in appraiser TO set a valuation upon the
elephants. and this expert said that $4,000 a
conservative figure. Mr.. Thompson may contest
the seizure and bring the matter into court II he
does and the court decides in the governments
favor the elephants will be sold and the money
viii be turned into the Treasury. Under the law
goods Undervalued TO the extent OF 90 per cent OF
their value shall be seized and confscated If the
In seiZing the elephants they will. OF course. be
restored to their former owner,
Just present the Treasury Department IS IN
possession. and plans for their proper housing
them In the Custom Housewife knows9
There's plenty of room there. And the matter of
feed is simply appalling TO think about. How much
hay does elephant eat. anyway? The situation
paragraphers and the csrtoonists. They will natu-
rally say that the election drove these elephants in
from the G. O. T. herd. and If manifest any
distress the expense attached TO keeping them
jokers will paint the administration the victim
of poetic Justice. I really thought public
Office would bring this
In addition 10 the elephants, Collector Strdnahan
which formed the wardrobe OF the elephants
They include various fancy dresses and trousers Of
large girth II they offered for public sale it is
not at ali likely that there VIII be much spirited
bidding for the goods. Unless some enterpTsing
tentInaker awning dealer appears 10 hid for the
voluminous clothing, the government may have the
overgrown ''duds' we'll the ample wasted
beasts. for indefinitely.