New-York tribune., 1909-06-05
CUSTOMS FORCE SHIFT
FOE OF SMUGGLERS RE
MOTED FROM PLACE.
Deputy Surueyor Bishops Friends
Say He Has Been Too EraCting
in Enforcing the LaUs.

Deputy Surveyor John NJ. Bishop. VINO has
been in charge of the third division of the
Surveyors Department has been removed from
that important place on orders from the Treas
rrv Department in Washington. He will be put
in charge of a less important division, without
losing his rank or the salary ACCOMPANYING 1t.
Mr. Bishop was in charge of the examination
of baggage from incoming steamers.
The news of his removal from the third d1-
vision came Unexpectedly yesterday to MI
Bishops friends in the Custom House and IN
the Barge Office. Collector Loeb and surveyor
Clarkson spoke of Mr.. Bishop in the highest
terms. and the only reason they would give for
the change was that the Treasury Department
had ordered it as part of az systematic shl.t
made for the good of the service. 1t was salu
that an effort was being made to put younger
men in charge of the important divisions.
1t was said at the Custom House that no dep
utv surveyor had a better record for efficiency
courtesy to incoming passengers ana s'ii''
enforcement of the law than Mr.. Bishop. Some
of MI Bishops friends said that complaints
had been made against him by prominent per-
sons because he had been too eXacting in en-
forcing the law and collecting duties on articles
not daclarad bv.those in whose favor 'eXpedlle
orders had been issued
Mr. T2isbon is known personally to thousands
of nersons who have arrived at this port ana
throughout his term Of seven years ne mas run
down many important attempts at smuesHHe-
He discovered the sleeper" method OF import
ing gowns to this country from France wlthout
the payment of duty. and it was largely Que 10
his efforts that the $4,000 worth or snugsieu
goods NOW being sold at public auction at the
Custom House were traced and turned over 10
the Appraisers Stores. He was prominent in the
catzi
attracted international attention.
IN PLACE SEVEN YEARS,
When James s CIarkson appointed Sur
vevor Of Customs here by President Roosevelt
Mr. Bishop was transferred from the Postofice
Department at Washington to the customs ser
vice at this port with the rank of inspector He
was made deputy surveyor in loO2 and put IN
charge of the third division,
The department thinks it best for the ser
vice to change the men around" Collector Loeb
said Yesterday "and for that reason Mr.. Bishop
and Deputy Surveyor Cloyes. in charge OF the
second division have been shifted. There is no
other reason for the change Of the two deputy
surveyors than this. Mr.. Cloyes declined TO as
sumo the responsibilities of another division. and
will hereafter become inspector, with an In
spectors pay"
Surveyor CIarksoR gave in substance the same
reasons. but was unable say W1ffe MI f1isIaop
would be placed or who would take the places
left vacant by him and Mr. Cloyes-
Mr. Bishop" said the surveyor. ''is one Of tho
best men we have in the service He is an ex-
celIent official, and has always fulfilled his duties
to the letter The department, however. has in
sisted on a change OF the heads Of departments
and younger men are needed for the important
places"
CONEYS FOR BISHOPS JOB.
Deputy Surveyor William o. Cloycs. in charge
Of the I'd Division. which has 10 do with the
dischargipg Of cargoes. is seventy-two- years
old. He was appointed inspector in 1892.
and became a deputy surveyor in 1905. He and
Mr.. Bishop received $500 year each. Here
after Mr. Cloyes will receive $LS25. the salary
OF an inspector
There was considerable specuIa tion yesterday
at the Custom House as to the men who will be
assigned 10 the two places. II is generally be
Ieved that Matthew NJ. Coneys. Deputy Sur
yeyor of the 5th Division, made UP Of the night
inspectors is slated for Mr.. Bishops place, and
that Mr.. Bishop will take charge Of the 5th Di-
vision.
Mr.. Coneys is the youngest deputy surveyor
on the staff OF Surveyor Clarkson He came into
prominence through his rigid enforcement of
the steamboat regulations during the last three
summers and through the many seizures he
has made. Alexander McKeon. the acting dep
uty surveyor. who an expert tcxelry and
gowns has seized thousands of dollars worth of
smuggled goods. it is said will be put in charge
of the Cd Division.