New-York tribune., 1909-09-05
MIR. LOEB STANDS PAT
JUSTIFIES HIS ACTS.
Steamship Officials Object to Labor
ers Searching Passengers.

Collector Loeb pointed to the record of seizures
at tho pier exits yesterday in justification Of the
activity OF his inspectors when the Lusitana
docked
Since my order went into effect, July q, there
have been two hundred seizures at the gates" said
the Collector THAT is my answer to alleged COM
plants He said he had not heard from any OF
those who, it reported were searched after
their baggage had been examined Early In De-
cember there will be a sale of the odds and ends
seized by the inspectors at the gates
An arrest followed the ,earch at the Hamburg
American pier at Hoboken after the Kaserin
Auguste Victoria had docked. Gustave 4. Schnull
merchant of Indianapolis, about to leave
after his baggage had been inspected. Special
Agent Wall searched Mr.. Schnull and found a dia-
mond brooch on his person The passenger had
declared $SS5 worth of baggage, In which, 1t was
said, the brooch not included. The brooch was
said to be worth $500. United States Commissioner
Russ. at Hoboken, held Mr.. Schnull yesterday in
$500 ball on charge of attempting to defraud the
government.
II order to be prepared If complaints made
Collector Loeb sent Harrison Osborne. his solicit
tor tour of inspection recently to the piers
where ships docking. My. Osborne
the lookout discourteous inspectors and special
agents He said yesterday that he had found none.
and that no reputable passenger had been af-
frOnted
1t was said at the Custom House that the
gestion at the Cunard pier entrance. of which there
had been complaint, due to the overzeal-
BUSINESS of inspectors but 10 the of one gate
only by the Cunard company. In future, it was
said. the company would use two gates in order
that every facility might be provided to enable
passengers to get trains keep engagements.
There intention TO modify the double
search order. said OF the officials The prac-
tce OF smuggling small articles. sometimes of
great value, in the clothing was growing loss TO
the government. and the order of July q promised
to be an effective check. No one not a smuggler.
this man said would be likely to make any objec-
ton. The value of the goods seized at the gates
wa CaiI ha
The statement issued the Custom House de-
clarlng that the use of only one gate by the
steamship company responsible for the
gestion at the Cunard pier after the Lustania
docked on Thursday was refuted by the steamship
people yesterday. They declared that two gates,
one the left side and the right.
open for the passing OF baggage. but for some
reason the customs watchmen refused 10 let pas
sengers leave the pier by the gate on the north
side. Many persons sought the north gate in leav
ing the pier and were told 10 go out through the
south gate.
When asked yesterday by whose orders the
watchmen, who are ranked In the customs service
/ as classified laborers. searched passengers. the
Collector silent He said however that the
reports OF the delay Of passengers. due their
detention by customs watchmen. were all nonsense.
According to the Collector tho law provides for
the detention and search Of all suspicious persons.
either board the steamer In a sheltered
secluded place. 1t Is conteuded by the steamship
officials that the public exit from the pier is
hardly secluded nor appropriate for the searching
Of men and women.
II was said yesterday by closely assocI-
ated with the deputy surveyors and many inspec-
tors that these men not to blame for the
Royance caused TO passengers. 1t pointed out
that everything In the way Of baggage examination
went of smoothly yesterday forenoon the
rival or the American liner ST. Paul. and the
son given that c c. Wall. the special Treas
ury agent representing Collector Loeb not
present It sand that Mr.. Wall in absolute
command OF the piers the arrival OF a steamer.
and any easing up OF rigid work the part OF
watchmeu inspectors reported by
him To the Collector.
Another case OF overzealousness the part OF
the customs watchmen reported yesterday. A
German professor arrived here several days ago
German steamer and left pair Of spectacles Of
American make in his stateroom. He discovered
HIS loss. he said. after he left the pier, re-
turned FOR his spectacIes. lie explained the circu-
stances, but the Vatchman insisted that he go
the Custom House. The spectaces subsequently
We're seized and sent to the Appraisers Stores
The professor explained that 5he spectacles were
purchased in this country and that they OF
to him than TO the Appraisers Stores.
Moreover. he said he had brought in less than
500 worth of dutiable gooas. the amount allowed
to all passengers free of duty.