Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
.LOEB'S new POLICE,
Customs Collectors Force to
Seize SmuggIers at New York.
SEVERAL HAVE Been CAUGHT

and Day to Prevent Smuggling In Of
contraband Goods-Colonsl w. lutx.
Commander, Has Two Hundred and
Seventy FIVE Men on Duty.
Every pier of New York city at
which is tied vessel containing duti-
able goods is being watched night and
day by a new federal police force to
apprehend smugglers. This force was
organized few days ago as the out
come of Collector William Loeb's de-
termination to stop leaks in the collec-
ton of customs revenue. Within six
days an average Of two smugglers q
night We're detected and the goods
they sought to sneak through free of
duty cOntiscated.
There are 275 men In the new force.
Colonel w. Lutz, former chief Of the
insular police force of Porto Rico, has
been named as commandant. His
assistant is 4. NJ. Beardsley.
There are three lieutenants, twelve
roundsmen and 2GO patrolmen or
watchmen. as they are officially desig-
mated. The men are divided into three
shifts Of eight hours each. The greater
number OF men are on duty from 8
q. IN. to p. m., a lesser number from
4 p. m. to midnight, and a still smaller
number from midnight until 8 a. m.
There is at least one man to every
pier in the city where vessel is tied
containing dutiable goods.
New Force Gets Busy.
The new department was formally
organized July q. Colonel Lutz got
his patrolmen busy at once. In eight
instances they caught members of the
crews Of different steamers trying to
take ashore packages containing goods
on which no duty had been paid. A
valuable lace spread, a number Of
finely wrought fancy boxes, a valuable
jewel case and boxes Of cigars and
bottles Of bay rum were among the
finds. In every case they We're being
brought ashore when it was supposed
the customs officials had gone for the
day.
Never before in the history of the
customs service has watch been kept
at night. The steamship companies
have always had watchmen at piers.
At least they were supposed to watch.
but according to general report they
were either asleep or Obvious to what
any Of the crew might bring ashore.
There will be strict discipline main
tanned of the new force in order to
demonstrate that it's organization and
operation may prove it's usefulness
The roundsmen will be held account
able for the detection Of delinquent
patrolmen at piers where one man is
assigned on the midnight shifts. The
lieutenants will make unexpected trips
to see that their immediate subordi-
mates are really making the proper
rounds.
Forty eight Piers Watched.
The force until recently had under
surveillance forty-eight piers. 1t is
stated that the force will be increased
to 500 patrolmen just as soon as it
can be done.
The members Of the newly organ
lied force are all clothed with the
'S.-S.-S." authority, as Colonel Lutz
terms it. This means that they have
the police and governmental right to
stop, search, seize." The watchmen
are instructed to take no chances. Int
seize on suspicion If there is the slight
est thing to warrant such suspicion.
1t is expected that hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars will be added to the
treasury by this increased vigilance
before it will become generally under
stood that there is no use trying to
leave a dock or pier with dutiable
goods. When that particular time ar
rives Colonel Lutz says he will reduce
the force somewhat, but never to the
point where pier Is not covered by
at least one man constantly.
Colonel Lutz had several hundred
police under him in Porto Rico for ten
years. The body was organized after
the fashion Of the new federal force
he commands. All below the rank of
major in the insular police force were
natives. During the labor strike on
the island three years ago Colonel
Lutz gained reputation for his ener-
getic preservation Of order.-New
York World.