Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-21
LOEB UPHOLDS PAUR CLAIM
Collector Rules that Deputy is
Original Sugar InfOrmer.
LARGE SUM IS INVOLVED
Man who Discovered steel 81 ny
in scales Will Probably RI
ceive Three-auarters OF
million.

NEW YORK, Dec, N.-wnliam Loeb, Jr.,
collector OF the port OF New York, has APP
proved the claim to m0iety by Richard
Parr, the deputy collector and original in
former In the sugar frauds on the S2,1S5, 4s6
paid int the United States treasury by the
American Sugar Refining company, as res
titution for duties evaded by underweigh-
ing.
According to the statutes regulating such
awards Parr will receive mot exceeding
In amount one-halt OF the net proceeds"
which will mean in this case, II the claim
is approved by the Treasury department,
approximately $1,000 900. Mr.. Loeb approved
the claim only after a thorough investiga-
ton by Harrison Osborne, solicitor OF the
customs. He held that the claim was valid
in that Parr on November 20, 1907, discov-
cred a steel spring which was used by
the oompany's checkers to Influence the
weight Of draughts Of sugar adversely. This
laid bare the scheme TO defraud and 1t was
due to the evidence obtained as the conse-
Quence OF the events Of November 20 that
the jury in the civil suit against the com
pany last spring gave a verdict OF guilty,
which was followed by the paying of the
penalty, G1S5, 4s6. 80. and the restitution Of
82.0OO,Oo following.
Several other Claimants.
Mr.. Loeb, could not be seen tonight. 1t
was said at his house that he had retired
early and would not be disturbed.
Parr Is not the only claimant for the
award. He has a serious rival in Edward
I. Anderson, another customs employe, but
the inference Is tina Parr will win, for
the Treasury department has ratified prac-
tically every move Of Mr.. Loeb in the
sugar scandals.
There is some confliction Of statutes con-
corning payments Of this character, but 1t
is said that in any event Parr will receive
30 per cent Of the amount named, or ap-
p~roximately 500, 900.
PaTr was seen at his home tonight and
confirmed the report that Mr.. Osborne has
acted favorable or his claim and that Mr..
Loeb had ratified the decision.
II do not know exactly how much I will
receive" said Parr. I'm exceptional cases
the government awards 80 per cent, but
more usually 80 or IS per cent. All the
other claims were before the solicitor. but
the fact that mine was upheld speaks for
itself"
Law Covering Case.
"Moiety,'' as used in connection with the
claim, denotes a part or portion OF. as the
definition OF the word indicates The stat.
utes prescribe: That whenever any off.
Ger Of the customs or other person shall
detect and seize goods, wares or mer,
chandiFe, In the act of being Struggled oil
which have been struggled, he shall b.
entitled to such compensation therefor al
the secretary OF the treasury shall award
1t WAS largely upon PARIS evidence a.
the discoverer Of the steel spring that fiv,
former employees of the American SugaI
Refining Company were convicted here las
week. At present he has charge Of thu
weighing department Of the customs ser
vice here .g
smaller Sum to BE Divided.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-Secretary O
he Treasury MacVeagh will have to pas
Ipon the recommendations OF William Loci
jr, OF the port Of New York that Richart
Parr be given a ''moiety'' Of the 81, 1856, As
collected from the American Sugar com
oany for back duties and fines imposes
or such avoidance. The secretary coul,
Ot be reached tonight, and, in his absenc
ione of the other officials Of the treasur,
would discuss the matter.
1t was learned. however, that Parr vii
receive nothing like $780, 600. Under the Law
passed June ~, 1874, one-half of all such re
ooVeries goes to the government and one
quarter each to the Selling officer and t
the informer whose information brough
the seizure about. This division, however
is made after deducting duties, expense
OF collection. litigation, etc.
The duties in the present case amour
to &200O,oOo. This leaves S1S5, 4ss to be dl
vided az Indicated. The expenses of tn
investigation of the Sugar trusts opera
tons and the subsequent prosecution hav
been so heavy, however, that 1t is believe
only q very small balance, IL any Of III
fine. remains to be so distributed.