New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-06
THE CUSTOMS OFFICER.
What French Visitors Think of Him-Not
Popular Parsonage.

The officer Of customs IN uniform IS popular
as the collector Of income tax, which perhaps. ls
70. eavinp much for his popularity says The
London Tribune" But il Is interesting to ais
cover that Continental visitors 10 England are
,orofrp n the conclusion that the English oftcial'
who is eyer ready with the question, Have You
ANYTHING 10 declare?" is a smart ana efhcient Of
~ do NOT Ike him" was the remark made 10 a
rerresentative Of The Tribune by a Frenchman
who had travelled from Paris 70 victoria,
ebo,,ld like 10 swndle him. But he Is TOO Clever
and really admire the manner In which ne exam
M =. nheerver Of the way in which the small staff
20 ae7care deal with two or three hundred packages
AZ Victoria Station every evening shortly AFTER
o'clock on the arrival Of the MONDAY express from
paris Will appreciate the testimony or the reheL
ieitor There IS the notice warning travellers Of
tho penalties for smuggling tobacco cigars Sl'il
and other articles. portion Of the platform IS
cleared while orderly. but rapidly, the registered
baggage IS brought out for inspection. Every pas
senger has all his packages placed together. WIN
in a few minutes after the arrival or the tr3h ne
is admitted inside the barriers 70 confront the Gus
toms officer There are hundreds OF packages
from a hat box 10 a large trunk, and only four
officers TO test the honesty OF the passengers
whose one thought is TO be free. The plies or
luggage suggest midnight as the time Of their de-
rartrlre; but in less than half hour the exaInna-
ton has been completed. The platform is cieer
and the four officials walk into their Office feeling
confident that the customs OF the country nave not
been defrauded
Each officer works quickly, but calmly.
The regulations do not place upon him the task
If taking out the contents Of a box In order that
to display his goods for the necessary inspection
But the official does not call upon him TO do II. He
has delicate touch and apparently a wonderful
nasal organ for detecting SNUFF If there Is any
about as well as an adroit method for discovering
cigars Experience has also made him Keen
observer and only those who have come into close
touch with a customs officer appreciate his
shrewdness il, Judging passenger by his demeanor
and the way in which answer is given 10 his
question Have YOU anything 10 declare?
A passenger may have eight ooye5. 10 inspect
tho contents Of all IS Impossible. The regulations
Law down that the officer shall examine one In five,
and he does Il In a way that suggests that 70
srnucgIc would be an easy matter. But those who
have trled II have a different view. The following
short but effective dialogue was heard recently at
Victoria Station:
Ogieer with one hand a box)-Anything to
declare?
Passenger-No no-not in that one
On1cer-Which one, then?
,rbe discovery Of cigars followed. Although the
regulations Law down that officer need only eX-
| mine one package IN five that arc brought by a
| Messenger he has "A keen eye for boxes. ana the
members OF the staff have subtle ways which traV-
aIiers do not dream Of. Different trains, for In
stance mean different methods of examination; but
With ali his astuteness Continental visitors have
rope 10 admire the customs officer at London sta
| lions for his consideration and dexterlty.