New-York tribune., 1910-08-26
NEW CUSTOMS RULE
IS PUT INTO EFFECT
INSPECTORS Ransack Staterooms
After Passengers Leave the
Mauritania.
NO EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE
Object Is TO Prevent Leaving
Things for Bedroom Stew
ards to Deliver at
House Later.

customs innovation was put into
effect late last night when the big Gun
arier Mauretania docked. causing much
dissatisfaction to the Cunard Line off
TO leave any remnant Of baggage in
their stateroons.
Every first cabin room on the Maure-
tania was searched last night by a
corps Of six customs inspectors after the
rooms were vacated by the passengers.
The inspectors went up one corridor
and down another making minute ex-
aminations of bedding, dressing table
drawers and the crannies of the wash
stands. The bedroom stewards, anxious
to collect soiIed linen and prepare the
rooms for an airing, We're annoyed by
the presence of the inspectors.
1t made no difference to the inspectors
who had occupied the rooms. Collector
Loeb's policy of fair play was put into
effect in the superlative degree. and the
suite Of Lord and Lady Northcliffe, Seth
Low, Miss Maude Adams. the actress:
Paul Morton, Mrs. Potter Palmer. Mel
vile A. Stern and other prominent per-
sons were open to search just as much
as the humble inside room Of Mrs. Jones
or Mr.. Smith,
A customs official. when asked why the
squad of young inspectors was assigned
to ransack empty rooms. said the prac-
tice was not new and that 1t was done
to make sure that passengers did not
leave anything behind after going
ashore. There were some passengers
who chose to sleep aboard the Maure-
tania over night and their rooms were
not molested
Want All Baggage on Pier.
It was said that the customs officials
we're anxious TO have all the baggage
of passengers on the pier when an in
spector was assigned to examine it. As
a rule all baggage is brought ashore
from the rooms If not, the passenger
soon discovers it, and either sends his
steward back for it or goes aboard 10
get it himself.
It was said by an official of the line.
however that the customs officials need
not go TO the extra trouble of acting as
reminders" for absent minded pas
sengers.
The customs officials look upon another |
side of the question. It has been con-
tended that some passengers. with /
malice aforethought. deliberately leave |
small luggage and articles of value In |
their staterooms and give orders to the |
steward that If anything should be left |
behind would he kindly see that II is |
sent to their address
A representative of the line said last |
night that a steward has no right to |
take anything from the steamer to the |
house of any passenger All articles |
over to the pier superintendent, who /
makes a record of them and informs each |
that the article or articles !
have been found in his or her room.
This is the first time that the general |
searching of staterooms has been put
steamships docking at the new Cunard |
pier
Accumulations of Years
II is contended that a whole barrel OF |
nairpins, rats" for the hair. soiled |
landerkerchiefs and articles OF insignifi-
,ant value had been accumulated in a
period of about seven or eight years.
A bout a year ago the barrel was dumped |
out for segregation and the only thing .
1f any value at all in il was a small /
Continued fourth page