Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-10-14
Customs Frauds
Over 100000
OFFICERS FOUND A vANLoAD OF
SUSPICIOUS eooDs.v -
5TH AVENUE ESTABLISHMENT
Of the Four Duveer Brothers, Dealers
in Antiques and Rare Art Objects,
Seized by Federal Officers.

New York, Oct 13-The entire Fifth
avenue establishment of the four Du-
Veen Brothers, known the world over
as dealers in rare art objects and an
tiques, was seized by federal officers
late today, and Benjamin j. Duveen,
the city, was placed under arrest,
charged with conspiracy to defraud the
government out of customs dues.
Bail Fixed at $4,000 and Given.
Henry A. Wise United States dis
trlct attorney, in asking for extraordi-
narily heavy bail when the prisoner
was arraigned. said that the frauds
would reach more than $1,000,000 and
that all four brothers and an uncle
who make up the firm were implicated
Bail was fixed at $4,000, which was
promptly given, and Duveen was re-
leased.
Entire Establishment Seized.
Special agents of the DEPARTMENT of
justice, armed with warrants. conduct
ed the raid on the establishment After
placing Benjamin ]. Duveen under ar
rest a search for undervalued articles
was begun and more than van load
of Suspicious goods was found. 1t
was then decided to place the entire
establishment under seizure and leave
the customs inspectors in charge to-
night
Duveen surrendered the keys of the
safe and desk and was taken to the
federal building. He explained that he
was the only member of the importing
firm at present in New York and
asked permission to send a wireless
message to his brother. Henry j. Du-
veen. aboard the Cunarder Lusitania,
which is due to dock late tonight The
request was granted.
Most Important Customs Case Thus
Far.
When the prisoner was taken be-
fore United States Commissioner
Shields. District Attorney Wise. In
asking for heavy ball. explained that
the case was the most important one
the government has thus far had to
deal with in importation frauds. In
his opinion 100000 would be the
proper amount of bail. He assured the
commissioner that he was in posses
sion of evidence concerning huge reva-
nue. frauds which We're Systematically
carried on by the four brothers and am
other man mentioned in the complaint.
The commissioner decided however, to
set the bail at $4,000 and a; temporary
bond with real estate as surety wass
given by counsel for the firm.
The Complaint.
The complaint recites that the de-
PENDANTS conspired to defraud tha
United States. out of. customs duties
upon mereiia ndse imported and to be
imported by means of false~and fraud
ulent invoices, af11davits, entries and
other practices.
Specifically the complaint refers to
three vases which the six defendants
are alleged on Feb. 10, 1905 to have
fraudulently entered at this port.
Defrauded the Government for Years.
Mr.. Wise said tonight that infornla-
ton was recently placed in his hands
tending to show that the Duveens had
for years been defrauding the govern
ment out of customs duties on works
of art and antique furniture imported
from abroad by means of false consular
invoices. The records at the custom
house were hurriedly overhauled and
the records seemed to sIIbstantiate the
charges.
Collector Loeb was communicated
with and he detailed Edwin w
woodward, acting deputy surveyor of
the port. and two customs inspectors
to assist in the investigation, which
was conducted with the greatest Sc
crecy.
MIR. Wise declined to give the name
of his Informant tonight. He added
that the consular invoice gave the
value of the three vases as s1,f07
while their real value was s2S.000
Establishments in New York, London,
Paris.
The firm of Duveen Brothers is
composed of Henry J.. Joel j., Louis j..
Benjamin ]. and Joseph J. Duveen.
They have establishments not only in
New York but in London and Paris
Last night the Duveess- wera re-
ported to have paid half a million dol
lars for q Franz Halls and at the re-
cent sale Of the Yerkes art collection
the same firm paid $4,000 for Tur-
ners Rockets and Blue Lights"
While waiting for the bail bond to
be made out Benjamin Duveen said
that he knew nothing about the i'm
portation of the vases alleged to have
been undervalued.
Arrested at Quarantine.
Henry J. Duveen the uncle.
was arrested on the Cunard liner Lusi-
tania when the vessel reached Quaran-
tine late tonight He was taken off
on a revenue cutter and hurried to
the federal building for arraignment
Bail was fixed at $4,000 and given by
a security company.
KNIGHTS OF KING ARTHUR.