New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-28
NJ AD0O TO SMASH
SMUGGLING SYSTEM
Continued from first page.

use of old labels will be prevented.
Miss Kate Brennan. head of the
dressmaking firm of Mrs. c. Donovan q
Co. appeared yesterday before John a
Shields, United States Commissioner
after having confessed TO participation
IN the great smuggling scheme, and
was held in $4,000 hail for examination
on April 8.
Whlle Miss Brennan's confession did
not involve directly any other large
importers of Paris finery. her story fur
nished the authorities with sufficient
information to make probable a num-
Der Of raids on fashionable dressmakine
establishments in the larger cities OF
the East. Her account of the manner
in which the smuggling was done
showed that Shevlin, formerly deputy
collector and now in minor position,
was the brains ana the strong arm OF
the system.
Shevlin and his wife. Annie w. Shev-
lin. were arrested yesterday in Boston
charged with conspiracy to defraud the
government by aiding in the smuggling
OF merchandise.
An investigation has been begun into
the business of several large firms with
establishments i'm or near Fifth avenue
who for some reason. thus far unknown
10 the customs authorities, have i'm
ported gowns and millinery through
Boston since the great sleeper trunk
conspiracy in New York was exposed i'll
1909. As all charges appear TO he
equal. the customs authorities want to
know what induced those importers To
get their supplies through Boston, as II
would have been more convenient TO
enter them through the port of New
York.
The prosecution of this latest snug
Cling was put into the hands of Carl
Whitney and Addison Pratt. assistant
United States attorneys. They said
Yesterday that the new frauds were d
continuation Of the old sleeper trunk
conspiracy. and appeared to involve
finery worth several millions Of dollars.
Old Business Revived.
The practice was in vogue years ago
Miss Brennan said yesterday, ana was
revived in 1905. when the late Mrs.
Donovan was head Of the firm of Mrs.
&C.. Donovan & Co. After her deatn
Miss Brennan became president OF the
enterprise. and she made trips 10
Europe twice every year, each time
bringing in merchandise free OF duty
by means OF the arrangement which
she had with Shevlin.
on the occasion which led to the dis
coverv of the scheme. Miss Brennan
was returning from Europe on the
steamship Carpathia, and landed IN
Boston on March II. She travelled
under the name Of Thomas. and her
nersonal baggage was declared under
that name she had another trunk
with her however v hich bore the name
Ellison. though there was no passenger
Of that name on board.
When by a mere chance the trunk
was discovered by Deputy Surveyor
Mann and was detained, although
Shevljn had managed in the meantime
to have an inspection label pasted on
the trunk. gowns. waists and lingerie
made by the best known firms in PARIS
were found in the trunk, representing
q purchase price Of more than s9'ooo'
After the ownership Of the trunk was
ascertained the establishment of Miss
fireman in East 55th street, was
roided by +. r. Norwood, deputy sur
yevor. and books, papers and a cohsid-
cradle quantity Of dresses and lingerie
thought TO have been Struggled were
seized.
BOSTON. March difference l.. Shevln'
a clerk in the local customs offices, Tor
rnerlv an acting deputy collector. and his
u,fo Annie w. Shevln. were arrested to-
dav charged with having conspired with
Mics Kate 4. Brennan, of New York. and
others 10 defraud the government OF GUS
TOMS duties. Other arrests are expected
Tho Shevlins were arraigned and held IN
g. coo bonds each for a hearing tomorrow.
Tribune Story Strs Treasury.
From The Tribune Bureau
Uasbinqton. March 27-The Tribune g