New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-17
HARD TO SMUGGLE NOW
Customs Men Are Matching EUery
1reRue 7cith Good Results.

Many complaints have been received recently at
the Custom House regarding the activity of the
watchmen at the piers where liners dock, but from
the steamship companies praises for the work being
done By Captain I.utzs force coming in in al
most equal number. one of the principal officials
on the Collectors STAFF said Yesterday that the
complaints gratifying evidence that the new
system Of safeguarding the port was effective. We
here collect revenue, and we are going TO dc
IT. he said.
Several instances representative of the new order
of things reported yesterday. The captain and
the surgeon of the steamship Adriatic L..cked
valises for brief stay at Marblehead Each vallse
turned I'm for examination by a Customs in
spector. as required. before the Journey begun
and found TO contain part of box of cigars
which conhscated. one valise contained a
bottle of whiskey. which seized. Firemen on
the Red Star steamship Lapland attempted to get
by the Waterman with a lot Of stogies worth about
half cent apiece. The stogies were taken and an
inspector went aboard ship and seized hundred
more
on the Lapland is a department store the goods
in which nearly all American. The stock OF
candies is American. and what is left after the
age used TO be returned stale. When ten boxes
were taken off by OF the stewards recently they
were seized and sent the Appraisers Stores. The
captain OF the steamship Arabic wanted TO go
ashore. He was held by a Waterman.
I'm the captain OF this ship" said he. in expos
tulation
Il don't who YOU are" said the Waterman:
I'm here 10 see that no one goes ashore without
being searched"
The captain had TO submit stay aboard.
That all sounds rather arbitrary said the
toms official. but there the rules. and they
good. Diamonds other gems jewelry could be
smusgled I'm in the boxes of candy in the
cigars. We know this has been done. but II shall
not be done We not accusing anybody,
but taking chances and are protect
ing the government. II would surprise II the
extent OF the smuggling OF small articles was
known before closed the piers. The government
lost thousands of dollars In duties but ii won't
lose much If draw the line tight
enough
II was discovered recently that small boats were
frequenting the sides of ships away from the piers
Observation showed that packages were dropped
into the boats. which made off before they could
be Intercepted Plans are under for the
organization OF a feet of customs boats 10 patrol
the off side of ships while in port.
We have to fight the ingenuity OF men who have
smuggled for years and who will not cease to do
II II there Is an avenue left unguarded." said the
Official They used 10 railroad trunks from the
of side OF ships 10 the adjoining pier. and we
stopped that Now they using small boats. and
at present we have no means OF pursuing them
But will have.
we have letters from steamship companies com
mending our efforts one company said II had
already saved about 500 through system. which
prevents members Of the crews setting away Win
small articles stolen from the steamships