New-York tribune., 1909-09-14
NO LET UP AT PIERS
LOEB METHOD APPROVED.
Treasury Department Stands by
C0Hector-No Searching at Gate.

James B. Reynolds. Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury. said yesterday that his visit to this city
not for the purpose of investigating Collector
Loebs method OF administering his office. From
the Custom House it announced later in the
day that there was no intention of letting up in
the efforts to prevent smuggling by returning
passengers But it was added that this enforce
ment of the law would be carried out with the
least possible inconvenience to persons returning
from abroad.
officials connected with the customs service have
learned that hundreds of cable and many wireless
messages have been sent by friends to returning
tourists warning them to declare everything duta-
BILE From the Secret Service abroad word was re-
ceived here several weeks ago that person with
$4,000 worth of diamonds would arrive the
steamship Lapland OF the Red Star line. second
class. When the Lapland was about two days
from this port a wireless message sent TO the
passenger by friend, and the diamonds were de-
clared
That was only one of many cases in which the
wireless was said to have caused declaration of
jewelry. An official mentioned yesterday fifteen
instances where jewels valued at from 5000 TO
$1,000 had been declared after wireless messages
had been sent to incoming steamers. These facts
were mentioned by the official to show that Col
lector Loebs system Of inspection was bearing
fruit
Mr.. Reynolds was inclined to be amused when
asked whether he here TO investigate Mr..
Loebs inspection system. The Assistant Secretary
said the collectors actions had the unqualified ap
proval of the Treasury Department. Secretary
MacVeagh, Mr.. Loeb and himself. Mr.. Reynolds
said were working in unison in everything that
was being done 10 stamp out smuggling at this
port The Assistant Secretary said that
plants had been received in Washington regard
ing the methods of inspection here.
At the piers inspectors and watchmen have
ceived orders just how TO go about their duties
No passenger is to be searched at the gates but
should the pocket of any passenger appear too
bulky or should it sag as IL containing a weight
the inspector may ask the passenger TO show the
contents. If he she refuses. the passenger will
be escorted TO some quiet place and searched This
is to be done courteOusly possible. II
said yesterday that this procedure would prevent
many complaints persons, even though caught
in the act Of smuggling. rebeled against publicity
Complaint was registered by returning tourist
yesterday regarding the pasting of inspectors 5
label on handsome bag which had been pur-
chased here before the journey to Europe
begun. The claim made that the bag had
been dsfgured and that the government should
replace the bag with new one. The passenger
will not get bag.
Mr. Reynolds said last night that he had come
TO this city one OF his periodical visits, and
that his chief object this time to confer with
the Collector and George ". Wanmaker. the Ap-
praiser. regarding classification OF certain mer-
chandise under the new tariff. Mr.. Reynolds did
not see Mr.. Loeb yesterday, but will call at the
Custom House this morning.
Surveyor Clarkson continued his investigation
yesterday into the alleged troubles at the piers
relating the holding up of passengers by watch
men. Numerous witnesses were before him, and
it reported that some registered complaints
against the methods OF examination. There has
been considerable friction between tho inspectors
and watchmen and some dispute as TO the control
Of government employees at the piers between Cap
tain Lutz in charge OF the watchmen. and Deputy
Surveyor Raczkiewicz. An order issued yes
terday that Mr.. Raczkiewica had full control