New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-31
WHAT M'VEAGH WILL find
Secretary to Pass on Com'n'S-
sion's Request While Here.
REPORT NOT NEARLY READY
Investigations Scope Has Been
Extended and Covers Metnoos
in All Departments.

Secretary Macvcngh of the treasury
who will be here tomorrow 10 iooh i.''
customs affairs, will find the cohl'iilssioi
that has been investigating the Appraise
office and stores far from READY 10 Iepoi
Moro than ,,sual interest has attached TO
the work of this body, which IN the De
ginning was composed of j. c. Cummings
head of the special agents of the treasury
Department here: A. G. Armstrong OIL
Boston, and Leslie Cullom, speciai asehN
who had been stationed at Baltimore
Mr. Cummings has had much experiences
in this kind of investigation but not III
cent years, as the practice or yearly ~
aufries was abolished by the preoecessoi
of James Curtis, the assistant 10 MI a'o
.veapb who has charge of the customs
branch of the department MI ArIiis 'foie
is q new man in the service. He was on
the police force at Boston, an on1cer with
a fine record, when chosen by Mr. curtis
as snecia1 agent. Mr.. Cullom has had
years Of practice as a special agent ana
is regarded as one or the ihost u "'' ~
men il, the service
little progress was making, and the Treas
urv Department was asked for more help.
Burton Parker once a judge at Detrolt
and a former supervising special agent,
was doing special agent work at FL Paso'
Tex when the call for help was received
Mr.. Parker was sent for, as his experF
ence has been most thorough. lie mas
taken practical charge of the investigation
It was learned yesterday that the COM
mission had extended its work under IN
structions far beyond the AUDITING OIL d0-
counts. It has delved into the business
methods of the place and into every least
branch of the service, with view OF I'M
nrovins the manner of administration. 1t
was also said that there had been an IN
orirv into certain features of the depart
ment far back of the last decade.
The commission began its work on April
a. IT had not been at work long peIore
the members consulted officials famllar
with conditions several years ago, OUT they
could not get the information wanted
There was an effort to get the power 10
engage experts to aid in parts or the WORK
with which the members of the commission
could not get in touch. 1t was SAID last
evening that Secretary MacVeagh would
hear the request and determine whether
the wish should be granted
George W. Wanmaker, the Appraiser.
has done all in his power to facilitate the
Investigation, which is more concerned
with the period antedating Mr.. lawmakers
inquiry is gathering materials for re-
port that will take in the present term
From an authoritative source it was
learned Yesterday that there would be
something of a shake-up at the Appraisers
Stores as result of the comrnissionS
work: that new system of taking care of
the great business transacted there would
be recommended. and that the methods or
appraisal as applied to sugar and other
stapIe imports would be drastically over
hauled.
The investigation and Mr.. MacVeagh's visit
are in line with President Tafts expressed
determination that thorough houseclean-
ing shall occur at this port Mr. Mac
VeaCh will see Collector Loeb, who has
been dropping men from the service on re-
ports received from Henry l.. Stimson, the
special prosecutor in the sugar fraud cases,
and in charge of the legal end of the'clean-
ing There will be conferences with Mr..
Loeb. Mr. Stimson and Mr.. Wanmaker.
The visit will result. it was said. in re-
newed activity in all branches of the SER
vice to weed out undesirable men and to
gather evidence for the prosecution of such
as have been guilty of violations of the law.
Mr. MacVeagh is expected to be present
at the Custom House when General Henry
is sworn in as Surveyor of the Port at noon
tomorrow
One of the matters to be considered at the
conferences will be a demand for settlement
made OH a sugar company due to shortages
in weights upon which duties were paid.
The company has held off, and at the last
conference it's officers said that they would
go to the courts rather than pay the claim
of the government, which is for a little
more than 100000