New-York tribune., 1910-06-04
GREEN FOR COBB BILL ONLY SURFACE SCRATCHED
More Likely to Come of lnvestl-
cation Into Customs Service.
MACVEAGH TELLS OF PLANS
Hopes for Action That viii Pro-
vide for Pensions for Vet
eran Employees.

franklin MacVeagh, Secretary of the
Treasury, who is in this city, said yester-
day that not much more than the surface
Of things in the Custom House business
had been stirred by the Investigations
which have for their object the Teadjust-
nent Of affairs ar this port on practical
basis.
The administrati ton he. said. hopes to
put this port and all others on a real bust-
ness basis. The great problem confront
ing us is the rehabilitation of this service
That requires much consideration and.
perhaps, compromise
He was seen in the afternoon by the
Treasury agent having in charge the in
vestigstion of the Importation of Panama
hats. The Secretary has sent to Washing
ton for two men 10 help the agent now on
the case, and il is expected that all the
evidence will be turned in to Henry A
Wise, the United States Attorney, for ac-
ton, in short time Mr.. Wise. it was
said. had been informed about the inquiry
on his last visit TO Washington, and on
his return took up the case 10 aid the
Treasury agent. a few witnesses have al
ready been examined AZ the Federal Build
ing
The revelations made through the in
vestigations already finished or under
way" Mr.. MacYeigh said, will help us 10
prevent a recurrence of such frauds in the
future
The Secretary of the Treasury said that
the inquiry at the Appraisers stores by
the commission appointed by him was a
revival of Treasury rule that was dis
continued several years ago for no sppar-
ent reason. The purpose was especially TO
revise the business management and to
increase the efficiency Of the men in the
service. There would also be an elimina-
tion of all favoritism. he declared
We are especially interested in the Ap-
praiser's office" Mr. MacVeagh declared,
because this is the port which has shown
that d thorough overhauling Of the service
is necessary. Whatever we profit by the
investigation here will be extended to other
ports.
OF the new automatic scale now under
test on the Havemeyer & Elder docks,
where the sugar frauds were committed.
the Secretary said that he hoped the
weighing machine would meet all require
ments He may visit the docks to-day to
see the scale in operation. The question
Of pensions. which came up here when
Collector Loeb was compelled to denote
Quired about
THE President is interested in the mat
ter said Mr.. MacNeagh, and there is
really a chance of getting action Nat
urally We are tied up by Congress. but /
believe that Congress has a wrong impress
sion of the situation 1 believe that the
pensions could be paid without an addi-
tional outlay. We are already paving pen
sions. We cannot slaughter the men whose
age has lowered their. efficiency. I have
already decided upon efficiency tests in my
Office. but held them UP in the hope that
the retiring bill would soon be passed"
MI. MacVeagh will stay in the city unit
tomorrow. it was said last evening. HIS
will devote all his time to the customs
business while here He received reports
yesterda y-cfrom the commission examining
conditions at the Appraisers Stores and
from Collector Loeb regarding the recent
changes he made in his department.