New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-10
u. S. SUES CHINA FIRM
Seeks $4,000 from L. Straus
e. Sons, Importers.

The government brought a second ac-
ton yesterday against the firm Of l..
,raus & Sons. importers Of china. 90
No. i2 Warren street. The latest suit ~
one for the recovery OF Sl39.l6 90. al-
legged by the government TO represent the
value OF Limoges china imported into
this country by l. Straus & Sons ana
entered at the Custom House at less than
the true value Of the merchandise.
The complaint charges that tho alleged
fraudulent importations were made be-
tween January. 1910, and January. 1913.
when the firm brought i'm china decorated
~ Limoges and entered it AZ the white
china rate
The governments first action against
the firm Of l.. Straus a Sons was
brought on March 25 I'm seeking the re-
coycry OF &G9.913 from the firm the gov
eminent charged false and fraudulent
entries OF merchandise. The complaint
alleged that the defendants deducted
from the value Of tine goods a non-duti-
able per cent. which they falsely
claimed as having paid To SiGmund
Mas. their purchasing agent in France.
William VI WINS. counsel for the firm
OF l.. Straus & Sons. said last night:
District Attorney Wise. so far as We
can learn. brought the first action FOR the
purpose OF trying 10 secure "A new inter
probation Of the phrase true home value
and To make Il retroactive. | understand
he has brought the second action not only
for like purpose. but for the additional
purpose Of trying 10 prove that l.. Straus
& Sons are manufacturers as well as i'm
sorters. and for the purpose of getting a
new construction Of the meaning OF the
words manufacturer and manufacture.
"The allegations Of the governments
complaint are absolutely false and I'M
justified. and would never have been made
il Mr.. Wise or anybody else who is re-
sponsible had been required TO swear Ia
their truthfulness. They are not sworn
to. and. therefore. are made with i'm
punity For many years past there have
been controversies between the govern
ment and the china importers with re-
gard 10 matters of payment of duties,
valuations. etc. and with no exception
i'm every ease the government has been
smartng under these defeats. actually
were recently able Ia get the District At
torney 10 abuse his power through the
issue Of subpnnaes improperly in the hope
of securing unlawful access to the pri-
vate books and papers of a number OF inn
porters. I'm every instance where he was
opposed he either voluntarily reconsid-
cred his action or the court vacated his
subppnas.
1T is impossible that my clients should
stand silent under the circumstances of
this malicious pursuit by a protected com
bination II the American Potters Asso-
citation, or Mr.. Burgess. or Mr. Wise or
any one else wishes to test the propriety
of the defendants conduct on terms OF
perfect equality before the law and with
out the strong arm of the government,
they might sue me or my clients Tor liDel
and thus enable us To disclose the iniqui-
ties which had been instigated by the
Potters' Association. Meantime, all OF
the importers have to submit 10 the lndlS-
nifty and outrage of having themselves
branded throughout the entire country as
guilty Of wrongs against the government.
where the government itself comes into
court absolutely without any proofs, ana
with only the unsworn assertion Oh tho
District Attorney.