The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-18

would save the sugar trust about 5000
on each cargo" said Corsa to-day. TT
was polluting us for about 500 on each
cargo. counting what went 10 the head
sampler as we'll as the samplers and their
assistants
Corsa saw that this was going on all
over the docks. He didn't blame the
other men. because they were as poor as
h was. But IT didn't seem quite right
70 him. His first few bits amounted 70
$50 while he was considering what he
ought 10 do. Then he thought OF his old
friend, Mr.. Treat. VINO was collector OF
internal revenue. and he went 10 Mr..
Treat with his problem
Advised by Superior.
Mr.. Treat told him he had TO face Just
such corruption every day IN his own de-
partment and he felt sure the men
higher up in the custom-housa would be
glad to know about 1t and would help
him in the fight against Il.
The next time the wash room man
brought him his bit Corsa took it 10 tho
appraiser, Mr. Wakeman. He handed
over the money, told the appraiser what
was going on. and went back to work.
Soon after Mr.. Wakeman had all the
samplers and their assistants before him.
They understood at once some one had
let the cat out Of the bag and their sus-
picions fell on Corsa. The other men
cursed him and limited some day he
would drop and not come up. He was
afraid. too. 90 being waylaid on his way
home from work
Mr.. Treat did not feel like interfering.
1-Ts oh
that made him keep away from talking
the thing over with Mr.. Wakeman. They
never discussed II. Mr. Treat said to-day.
Mr.. Wakeman encouraged COrsa when he
told him about these threats, and told
him 10 stick by his post. and he would
protect him. And the bTibers kept away
from Corsa.
Meanwhile. he knew Waterman had
taken the matter 20 Secretary Gage, and
their interview had apparently been bar
ren Of results. As time went on Corsa saw
Mr. Wskeman was disliked among the
employees. and hs heard IL rumOred about
that the appraiser was 20 be relieved
Then this was done.
whitehead in Place.
One day George ". Whitehead took his
place. On the next day, Corsa declares,
he was discharged. He went straight 10
Mr. Treat and told him about IL. The
collector was pretty mad when he heard
about IT, He said he would give Corsa
letter 10 Mr.. Whitehead, and he felt
sure Corsa would get his position back
again
7 took the letter and called at the Gus
tom-house. said Mr.. Corsa to-day. Mr..
Whitehead was angry."
We'll, won't do it, he snapped out
as he read the letter over. All right I
said. Then you, sir. have no use for this
letter which Dir. Treat has written 10
your Yes I have he answered. I al
ways answer my correspondence; 50 I
wish to keep this letter
This was the beginning Of a series OF
attempts made by Corsa to get back his
job
Mr.. Corsa addressed letters 90 the Pres
ident, the Secretary or the Treasury. 10
his Representative, and TO Secretary Cor
telyOu. and in every Instance the letter
swung around the circle AZ the end OF q
strip of red tape. and landed back On his
lap with the message added 10 il; ITO
be reinStated in your position you must
have the Endorsement OF George ".
Whitehead. appraiser, who has the power
TO nominate men for his department"
The answer which these received at the
hands OF Mr. Whitehead was that The
action taken was with a view 10 the I'M
provement Of the service"
In March. 1902. Corsa put before Leslie
NJ. Shaw, who was then Secretary Of the
Treasury. n statement Of the facts 1fr.
Shaw consented 10 hear his side Of the
case. COrsa received a letter from Mr..
Shaw's secretary, G. o. Rich. inviting
him 70 call at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
Talked with shaw
For three hours he listened 20 me-"
said Mr.. Corsa He seemed all sym
pathy. He said at the end Of the inter
view. as he shook hands with me: I'll
see you are put back. could do II right
now. But things are working so smooth
~ between Mr.. Whitehead and myself
that / don't want to break in abruptly
unon him and demand II. I'll take it Up.
though, and ] am sure you viii be given
the justice due you "
After waiting for months. Corsa heard
through Mr.. Wakeman that Dir. Shaw
could do nothing.