New-York tribune., 1909-12-12
MACVEAGH TALKS
ON CUSTOMS FRAUD
VICKERSH4M URGES
FEDERAL CONTROL.
Three Cabinet Members at
Pennsylvania Society
Dinner.

Dinner.
psnnsvlvania moved TO New York last
night ana the ghost OF William Penn
hecsme a promenader in Peacock Al
lev st the Waldorf, while more than a
thousand Pennsylvanians. presided over
hv Andrew Carnegie, listened with
rride and attention. in the Grand Ball
room. 10 the three native-born Penn
svlvanians who are now IN the Cabinet
~ President Taft-Secretary Knox. Sec
yetsrv MacVeagh and Attorney General
Wickersham.
Governor stuart, Lieutenant Governor
Murphy. former governors. past and
freseut senator's from the only state that
snv one there thought OF. and senators
end dignitsries Of other states who had
had the forethoI Igft 10 be born in Penn
svlvanis were the guests OF the evening.
The grand ballroom Of the Waldorf
vas q mass OF green foliage ana white
flowers. while over the dais in electric
lights Pennsylvania" shone down on
her distinguished sons. and in the boxes
surrounding the dining room were their
wives and sweethearts from Philadelphia,
Pirt-burg and Washington. Flags and
seals of every city in Pennsylvania were
scattered around the room. and az the
end az the dinner Andrew Carnegie the
president of The society, in lieu Of a
toasrmaster's address, summoned each
city flag bearer with his ensign 10 the
front of The dais.
PEARY HoNoRED.
Commander Robert z. Peary, who is
q native Of Pennsylvania. was admitted
20 the society as an honorary member.
and President Carnegie. IN conferring a
membership certificate upon the explor-
er, informed him that he was the second
man 10 receive that honor in the eleven
years CT the existence OF the society.
Dr. Horace Howard Furness. the noted
Shakespesrian scholar. OF Philadelphia,
received The society's gold medal
To the three Cabinet members were
assigned responses 10 toasts concerning
their departments, and each had a mes
sage for his fellow Pennsylvanians.
international Unity" was the subject
a. Secretary Knoxs address; Secretary
MscYeagh answered the question, Have
Customs Duties Any Moral Sanction9"
ard Attorney General Wiclzersham spoke
On The Department Of Justice"
Secretary AIacVeagh had perhaps the
most pertinent message 10 New Workers
when he said:
You are s very big city, il is true;
but no city is 100 big 70 be righteously
interested. as q small city would prob
ably be, ~ q bad moral situation OF large
proportions that grows more or less out
OF conditions which its people might
control"
MACvEAGH OK FRAUDS.
TIE recent activity in the New York
Custom House Secretary MacVeagh de-
scribed as an attempt ''to cut out a fes-
ter.ng corruption which is a blot upon
the city" and he justified his idea OF
laying 81 least part OF the onus on the
city by saying that the defects Of the
customs service at this port were due
both 70 local and federal conditions. To
President Taft and Collector Loeb Sec
retsry NaoVeagh ascribed all credit for
rehabilitation OF the customs service az
his port He said;
There are serious obstacles 10 an over
E---lng and rehabilitation OF the customs
service Il this port such as have been un-
structed forces Of the federal government.
Al re influences must cooperate and be
o"g E--.e- ne c--ahtei must oe open
rom ne highest source OF power all the
Ray Trough. The undertaking needs the
President az the back OF il, and il would be
impossible tor any man In any position 70
upon question Cf Eoc1 government or 70
re more simply resolved 10 back 20 the
nnr any important and wise project OF
Improvement Lkan President Taft In what
ne ercrtment OF Justice and the Treas
l-y Department are undertaking 10 DO al
stil Important things we shall attempt 20
- a. the other ports of the country, we
ha'e President Taft behind US
PRAISES LOEB.
no. e. Washington. we OF the Treasury
Department should be in a sad way in
New York II We did not have exactly the
man for the big work. the man for the
occasion. IN Collector Loeb. He is the
right man in the right place. And quite
apart from satisfaction al what is ac-
oornpiished, il IL q great pleasure 20 work
with an oficisl like Collector Loeb. who
'urns neither 70 right hand nor 70 the
isf,, and VINO doesn't hesitate. deviate or
weaken. but pursues an uninterrupted
strong and straight course.
The chief obstacle which had 10 be
net in this work. said Secretary Mac
Vesgh, was the important influence or
the example OF those rich or well-to-oo
travellers who. for the sake OF what
fhey could make out OF IL, were willing
20 eva0e lawful duties, and sometimes
oter brides into the bargain.
This influence he said, lis and long
he's been deadly. snd a very serious con-
sioerstion in this connection is the Lack
~ sufficiently public opinion 10 aid In
correcting these practices"
Private persons and the press were too
prompt and severe in their criticism OF
customs oficials when q passenger suf-
Tered any Inconvenience. Secretary Mac
Nesgh thought. ana. on the other hand,
was very unusual for either 10 dwell
upon evssions OF duties or the willing
ness 70 buy an easy way across the piers.
cynical or humorous views OF the impo-
sltlon OF tariff duties constituted one Of