Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-08
GEMS NOT DECLARED
Mrs. Shonts Says She Traded
Others for Them in Paris.
NO PURCHASE, SHE CLAIMS
Customs Officials Hold Jewelry, VAL
ued at $4,000, However.
CASE Is NOW UP TO MR.. LOEB
Solicitor Today Will Order Payment
of Duty or Release Of Articles
Seized on Pier.
NO PURCHASE, SHE CLAIMS
CASE Is NOW UP TO MR.. LOEB

NEW YORK, December 9.-Jewels esti-
mated to be worth between $4,000 and
$4,000 were taken by customs officers
from Mrs. Theodore P. 'Shonts. wife tof
the president of the Interborough Rapid
Transit Company. -.
Customs officers last night ascribed the
incident to the fact that they had not
forgotten a somewhat similar occurrence
in January, 1908, when after what ap-
peared to be fairly careful inspection
on the pier of the trunks of Mrs. shonts
and her two daughters on their return
from Europe there was a second inspec-
ton at the family residence few days
later. Then Mr.. Shonts announced that
apparently he was indebted to the gov
eminent in the sum of $500 in unpaid
duty because inspectors at the pier had
failed to recognize gowns that were made
abroad.
Jewelry Merely Held.
So unusual was. the explanation with
regard to, the jewelry made on the pier
to customs officers that it was stated that
the diamonds and other things were not
seized. but merely held untilstoday. Not
withstandng this statement, the five
pieces VI J6WelTy WcnL IfOin the pier III
the hands of a special messenger and
were placed in the safe of the appraiser
of the port. at the public stores, Christie
oher and Washington streets
Mrs. ShOnts arrived In the morning on
board the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse Of
bourg.. accompanied onlyl-by her maid.
after an extended visit to her daughter,
the Duchess de Chaulnes, at the latter's
home in Paris Mrs. Shonts did not en-
81, nkn
ships time for departure from Cherbourg.
Her name appeared on the added list OF
cabin passengers as Mrs. F. p. Shones.'
Her declaration. made on board. indi-
Gated that she had purchased only a few
articles abroad this trip, and in talking
with friend who met her at the pier.
she remarked. according to a statement
of customs inspectors that usually her
purchases were large and she wondered
if the customs officers would believe her
Calls It an Exchange.
In Mrs. shonts' baggage were fewer
than a-dozen trunks, and john Knapp g.
customs inspector. was detailed to make
the examination. The few purchases de-
clared by Mrs. Shonts were readily found
and all went we'll until the inspector ask
ed that a jewel case carried by Mrs.
Uc opcucO LUZ lSpcCIlOu.
1t was then that the jewelry afterward
held was discovered. Mrs. Shonts readily
admitted that it was purchased abroad.
Then the deputy surveyors on the pier
were summoned, and Mrs. Shotts was
asked why she had not declared these
gems.
''It was this way" said Mrs. Shonts,
II took abroad with me jeweiry to the
value Of at least $4,000 which had been
made by American jewelers. l wished
to bring back some new pieces, and SO
deposited the jewelry I took away with
a Paris jeweler and selected the jewelry
you see here. AS had merely made an
exchange Of American jewelry for this l
did not believe it should be declared as a
purchase made abroad"
The customs men, after careful thought,
said that they could regard the jewelry
clared that they could not see what the
deposit of American-made jeweiry had
to do with the case. If no money had
been paid for the gems they could not
see why they did not constitute q pur-
chase just the same.
Anyway, it will have to be decided at
the custom house, said an officer, land
we will hold the jewels subject to a de-
cision.' Mr.. Shonts. who came to the
pier to meet his wife, said that he would
not go to the custom house, as he did
not believe it was necessary
The jewels consist of pearl necklace
a diamond set necklace, a gold chain. a
diamond set cavalier and diamond set
pendant.