New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-15
NO SMUGGLING BY WINSLOW.
He Paid Duty on Wines and Cigars He
Bought for Official Entertaining.

Washington. July 14-As a matter OF justice %
himself. well To other naval officers similarly
situated Commander Cameron MGR Winslow has
written to the Secretary OF the Navy letter pro-
testing against the Sensational and injurious ar
tices which have been published IN some OF the
newspapers OF the country concerning alleged
smuggling by myself at the time OF my detachment
from the United States ship Charleston. al san
Diego. Cal. June II last
Commander WlnsIow's experience similar 70
that OF many other naval officers returning 70 their
own country after long cruise IN foreign waters
in that he was charged with having sought 10
evade the payment OF duty on large quantities Of
expensive wines and thousands OF high grade
cigars and other table Injuries. well curios
OF great value bought abroad.
The facts are entirely different according TO the
statement by Commander WinsIow. He says his
personal property necessarily packed in
number OF small boxes. 10 facilitate handling. They
contained his household effects. in all consid-
cradle quantity and purchased In the United States
and part Of the remaining stores which lie had on
the Charleston necessary for the cabin mess
y possessed wines" he continues. and
no large quantity of cigars, nor did have single
cIrio. Such wines H2d cigars IS had were bought
IN New York and during the cruise; the greater
part had been on board the ship approximately a
wear, and were purchased at my expense for use
on board the ship occasion required for private
and official entertaining. principally official and
not for importation or even Tor my own use on
shore"
Commander Winslow shows that. so far from
making any effort e conceal the landing OF these
goods they were as n matter OF fact landed AT
The custom House under the eye Of a customs rep
resantative and directly to the railroad sta
ton without any thought that this remnant OF
cabir supplies would be considered dUtiabie- When
he learned later in the day, and Indirectly. 70 the
contrary, Commander Wiuslow informed the COL
lector OF the nature Of the contents or the boxes.
adding that he did not believe they were dutiahle-
bur that n there was the slightest question, he
preferred 70 Fav the duty in full He says he
supplied a complete list TO the Collector. and Taid
DUTY in any case where there was q doubt IN his
own mind as 10 whether the articles were pur-
Nav York al
amount paid being small
so far as ! am aware he says. my boxes
were NOT opened. and, Furthermore. there was no
friction or misunderstanding whatever between the
customs House officials and myself nor was there
any EFFORT made O conceal or TO avoid payment or
duty I was treated with courtesy by the tol-
lector Of the Port and his subordinatAs \ COM
rrardlng officer OF vessel Of war must he pre-
narad ~ do whatever official entertaining may be
renuired and unless the extent of such entertain
inc can be foretod. we'll the date 81 the oHi-
crs detachment from the ship. he Is liable 10 have
sto-as for which he may have no use on shore LETT
ON his hands II the law eNacts payment OF duty
ON such things It would seem 20 entail an unne"es-
sar, financial hardship on the officer. particularly
as our commanding officers are not allowed td'le
money for official entertaining. as Is the case IN
foreign navies-"