New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-23
M R. LOEB UPHELD
FRAUDS ON CUSTOMS.
Collector BeheUes Smuggling
at This Port Checked.
IFrom The Trlbune Bureau

Washington. Oct. 22.-William Loeb. IT.,
Collector of Customs at the Port of New
York, who has been in conference with
officials of the Treasury Department for
days returned TO New York tonight He
had further conferences to-day with Acting
Secretary Hilles and Charles P Montgom-
cry. chief OF the division OF customs
While both Mr.. Loeb and the department
officials insist that the Collector came to
Washington 10 discuss various routine mat
tiers of administration. IL is understood that
prosecutions for customs frauds which are
under way or are to be begun were con-
sidered at the conferences. 1t is also
learned that the department is highly
pleased with Mr.. Loeb's vigorous attempt
to stamp out these frauds and is support
ing him in his efforts to get evidence by
promises of immunity to some of the Of
tenders.
That smuggling operations have been sub
stantially discouraged Is Mr.. Loeb's belief.
He and the officials here believe that the
fewer seizures of late are an indication Of
the breaking up OF wholesale smuggling at
the port of New York. The large number Of
prosecutions brought, together with others
in prospect: the wide ramificadons of the
official inquiry, involving at various times
and in various ways importers, passengers
arriving with undeclared goods and Gus
toms employees. even an occasional official
higher up" had a wholesome effect on
Americans abroad who have been willing
70 attempt evasions OF the customs laws
The larger number of full declarations now
being made by arrivals on ocean liners
tends to indicate a greater observance OF
the requirements of the law.
Whether smuggling efforts. ordinarily
directed against the New York customs.
will be transferred to other ports is an
other question. Dressmakers have figured
largely in the cases brought to light in
New York. They go abroad. spend thou
sands OF dollars in purchasing European
goods, and in many cases have been
troubled with observation-disclosures when the
time came to I'LL out the declarations.
This practice seems to have been largely
checked, and It remains TO be seen whether
any of those who would naturally use the
New York Custom House as field Of at
tempts at smuggling will shift to other
fields
Mr. Loeb wants the form Of the import
ers' bonds changed so that surety COM
panies may sign them through persons
they designate with powers of attorney.
The present form requires signature in
person, and the wording under considera-
ton and likely to be adopted provides au-
thority for power of attorney by bonding
concerns.
Collector Loeb, when he returned from
Washington last night, said that customs
frauds at this port had not been discussed
extensively with the Treasury officials, but
would receive constant attention.
Il am determined to clean house." said
the Collector, land 1 have no doubt that
the government has lost enormous sums
of money through false weighing and other
devices at this port AS for a general
promise of immunity to inspectors who
make It possible for US to fight the frauds
in the courts. that statement is untrue.
Only two or three men have been prom
ised immunity. The other cases viii go 70
the GRAND 4r1rv