Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-29
How It Has Been Worked.

The gov erument'S huge losses have
nearly all been sustained in short weights
allowed by customs inspectors. The
sugar trusts gains in that direction are
nov matters of history.
ElIt sugar was not the only commodity
where short weights defrauded the gov
,-funent. In tobacco, cheese, maCaronl,
lemons. oranges. figs, nuts. beans and
other things the frauds have been per-
petrated.
These articles have paid customs duty
according to weight. The exporter abroad
has had "A knowledge of how the game
was worked He stood in with the i'm
porter at this end.
When the exporter was ready to ship
Zoo pounds of Italian cheese or figs
to this country he made out two invoices.
One of these was put down at 1000
pounds, and the United States consul
was informed that LOCO pounds was the
correct weight. The consul, frequently
busy man, certified to the amount
given him
The certified invoice, with the false
weight. comes to the customs house in
New York. The correct invoice of 2.0Ot
pounds goes to the importer in New
York
The grating customs inspector finds
out the correct and the incorrect weights
and passes the shipment of the GER
titled invoice containing the false weight
In due time he visits the importer and
gets half the difference the importer
would have paid in customs duties had
the correct weight been received by the
government officials.
In the case of cheese. for instance, this
difference would have amounted to much.
The duty upon imported cheese is 6 cents
pcr pound. Much of il is consumed by
the Italian colonies and by rich Ameri-
cans
On a shipment of 1000 pounds the i'm
porter would pay the government $50
and save SGD for himself and the Gus
toms Inspector The latter would benefit
To the extent of half. or $40.
The same process has been worked as
To macaron, fruits, beans, etc, and even
to tobacco the duty upon the best grade
of which is $3.50 per pound. The rake
off in this alone would in a year run into
thousands.
Macarcni and vcrmiceli pay 1's cents
per pound. Millions of the imported va
rictirs are consumed in the United
States.
Couldn't Get the Truth.
collector Loeb found the truth hard to
Gct at. The inspectors and importers
would not talk. When they were watched
They were honest. When they were not
watched they were dishonest.
When Mr. Loeb got on the trail he saw
that the only way to catch the criminals
was by getting some weakened brother
10 peach on the others. This is what
ne ul0. Dut he cdleu III the tHlteu StdteS
attorney in New York, and that official
authorized the promises Of immunity
from prosecution to those who would turn
states evidence.
Mr.. Loeb himself had no authority to
promise immunity, but the Department of
Justice did, and made such promises.
These were the cases dismissed in New
York few days ago on the ground that
the statute of limitations interpOsed.
But there are to he other cases If the
government can make the success il ex-
poets of present investigations. In these
cases the statute of limitations will not
avail.
Collector Loeb, upon consent and ad-
vice of Treasury officials. has now prom
iSed importers who will come forward
and reveal the true state OF affairs that
they will be protected against the machi-
nations of inspectors involved in the work
Of the past and even the present.
The importers are frightened to their
wits end. They are afraid of prosecution
and they are afraid to tell the truth to
the government. for fear they will be
disseminated against at every turn.
The Treasury, therefore, will protect
them against the wiles of inspectors, to
say the least. Some of them NAV be
granted immunity.
sympathy is expressed for many of
them who wanted to be honest. but could
rot afford it under the system that pre-
vailed with the inspectors
IL is believed at the Treasury that
when President Taft gets back he will
take an important hand in the house
cleaning and bringing to check the men
who may be involved. regardless OF
whether they are high or low in the
service of the government in the bust
ness world or in politics.