The Washington times., 1909-12-11
Thorough Search to Be
Made for Frauds at
All Points.
WILL REORGANIZE
SPECIAL AGENTS
Curtis Assumes His New Duties.
Though Not Yet Con-
frTned.

Secretary Of the Treasury MacVeagh
/ has completed the reOrga ganization Of the
force Of special agents Of the Treasury
1 Department, who have in charge the
! investigation Of the customs matters
More than that, the general investiga-
ton Of the customs service and
Of the administration of customs mat
ters at ports other than New York
has ben begun.
Before the Secretary Of the Treasury
completes his work, every customs port
in the United States viii have been
raked over as with iue-toothed comb.
The whole service is TO be rigidly in
spected, and. where necessary, reor-
ganized. II at any of these ports there
have been frauds akin to those al
legged to have been perpetrated at the
port Of New York. or OF any nature,
they doubtless will be uncovered.
Investigations Made Secretly.
Thus far the Treasury officials refuse
20 say what ports are under investiga-
tion. They are keeping this under cover
for obvious reasons, but il is understood
the first work is being done on certain
OF the great Atlantic ports. One matter
which Will be given careful scrutiny
Is the question whether there have been
any sugar frauds and whether the sugar
trust had its clutches on Treasury en-
ployes in ports other than New York.
The matter Of underweighing Is being
given careful scrutiny.
The force OF special agents has been put
on what Secretary MacNeaEh believes
10 be much improved basis. 4 number
OF changes have been made and there
have been some dismissals. The extent
OF the changes is being kept quiet. One
most important change OF policy has
been settled on and that is that special
agents hereafter will not be a lowed to
settle down and go to seed ir any one
their stations frequently and thus IL is
believed much more efficient work will
be done.
Curtis Assumes New Duties.
The man who viii have direct charge
Of the investigation is James F. Curtis, N
OF Boston, the new Assistant Secretary
Of the Treasury Mr.. Curtis took charge
Of his office at the Treasury Depart
ment today. He did this. despite the
action Of the Senate finance Committee
in holding up his confirmation. MT
Curtis is expected to go about the house
cleaning and shaking up in the customs
service with great energy. He has the
reputation Of being a hard hitter de-
spite the fact he is only thirty-three
years old. and some Of the Senate lead
ers are putting out the idea that ne
What will come Of the holding I'D OF
the Curtis nomination is something on
which opinions differ. In some quar-
ters, 10 is even believed he may be re-
jected. such is the feeling OF the Senate
leaders over the Boston speech Of Mr.
MacNeagh and such their apprehension
that a man may be put IN charge of tho
customs administration with low tariff
leauinGs.
Object to MacVeagh's Position.
Some Of the Senators are saying Nj.
Curtis is too young and that he has had
no experience. They object TO the dis
position OF Mr.. MacVeagh. TO make ap-
pointments on his motion, and with
little difference to the politicians. They
are uncertain where Nj Curtis stands
on the tariff. and fear he may havc
the same tariff revision ideas as the
head OF the Treasury Department. They
are also saying the President does not
stand back Of Secretary Mac EeaRh in
his Boston utteranCes, and that the
President was not consulted about them
II looks now as IF the outcome of
the Curtis appointment. as well as that
Of Royal r. CabeU, whose nomination
for Internal revenue commissioner has
reen held mp, would depend on how
firmly President Taft stands back of
Secretary MacNeagh. If the President
insists, the combinations will doubtless
be made.