davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

Weigher Smith on a given cargo. Tne
weights shown by the scales Smith
divided by two and you passed them.
That night messenger was sent 10
Costello with statement OF the snort
weight YOU had passed. Costello paid
half the duty on this hort weight: You
and the weigher split on the basis OF
forty, sixty.
eve know Of a score of offenses
equally glazing on your part. Inc
government needs you as witness.
Under the circumstances do you not
think it would be advisable for you to
20 without me to the district attorney
and make a complete statement OF all
Won know about customs frauds?'
The man that the government
wanted usually came through with all
he knew. So we're the cases made
absolute and so were all the methods
of graft revealed. Eleven Welghers
and checkers we're convicted and sent
to the penitentiary. Many hundreds
of thousands of dollars in duties tnat
had been avoided were assessed
against and paid by importers. Inc
government was lenient with most OF
these because of it's chagrin over the
part played by it's representatives ana
because the initiative in the offending
had usually been taken by govern
ment agents.
Altogether the cleaning up OF the
customs scandals in the port OF new
York was a. most complicated task.
The work of Special Agent Gard is but
a. fragment of it, but was vastly i'm
portant and decidedly typical OF the
problem in hand and it's solution.
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

The effrontery of this special agent,
you would quite naturally conclude,
was ridiculous. You approve of the
sort of courage that makes q man
willing to tackle almost any big task,
but you also recognize the limitations
of the individual. David with his
slingshot had an obvious chance of
success. If he could make a scratch
shot and land on the coco of Mr.. Co.
Hath he would win. But Special Agent
Billy Gard sailed forth nOnchalantly
against the whole army of Philistines,
apparently without even a slingshot.
The Philistines in this case were
typiied by the customs crowd of the
port Of New York. That crowd was :.
ring within the administration Of the
affairs Of that greatest of gateways
chat had built up system for divert
Ing million dollars year from the
pocket of Uncle Sam and appropriate
ing the money to itself. For twenty
five years the men of this inner circle
had steadily strengthened their posi-
lions, their hold upon those in author
ity, their power to shake down i'm
porters. Thexe is a great influence to
be welded by million dollars a year
tn the hands of willing spenders.
The development of this condition
Of affairs was based primarily upon
the fact that positions in the customs
service are dependent upon politics.
The men who built up the system of
customs graft had secured their ap-
pointments because they had political
influence. They afterward used that
influence and put their easy money
back Of it. Their power grew. 1t
made it possible for them to dictate
appointments more. important than
their own, even to the collectorship
ITSELF 1t made it possible for them to
bring about the removal Of any small
er official who seemed to stand in their
way. Men not in the ring learned to
wink at many things that they saw
When an emissary Of the crooked GUS
toms crowd went to an importer, even
where he was honest, it came to be
known that it was wise to listen to
any proposal made. Thus did the ma
chine gather force.
Just one example of the workings
of the system. An Italian named Cos
tello was an importer of cheese. He
was a successful, enterprising and
honest merchant. One day he received
a large shipment from Italy, upon
which he expected to pay a duty of
$4,000. The cargo was unloaded and
weighed by the customs representa-
tives. That night an emissary of the
ring called upon the Italian merchant.
He showed the record Of weights for
the cheese cargo. According to this
record Costello would have had to pay
a duty Of but $4,000. 1t showed but
half the weight in cheese that had &C.
tually arrived.
1--WE save you $5,0O0,' said the
spokesman. eve expect you to d.
vide the profit"
But I believe in dealing honestly
with the government" said Costello.
II have always done so and l have
prospered."
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

Agent Gard had selected the right
man. O'Toole, at first timid in his
fear of the ring, became an enthusiast
over the task of wedding out the
graft. The dominance of local politi-
clans had no terrors for him with
Washington at his back. The value
of all he had learned in eleven years
at the scales was made to supplement
the lack of customs experience on the
part Of the special agent. His &C.
quaintance with the customs force in
the port made his information invalu-
able. So enthusiastic did he become
that he missed three ball games in
succession and went past four Saturday
nights without his customary tussle
with the spirits that bring forgetful-
ness.
O'Toole confirmed much of the list
of short-weight employees that had
been made up. OF the derelictions of
many of these he had personal knowl-
edge. With their methods he was
entirely familiar and was able to point
the way toward the establishing OF
guilt so it would be admissible as evil
dence and would secure convictions.
That an individual weigher may re-
port short weights it is necessary that
his associate at the scales, checker,
should share in his receptions, for the
checker is witness of the record of
the scales. In the celebrated short
weight cases of the sugar scandals,
the checker had steel spring like a
corset stay that he thrust into the
mechanism of the scale and retarded
it, thus resulting in showing of
short weight. But in the case Of the
Mediterranean cargoes the fraud was
less disguised. The scales were al
lowed to record the proper weight,
but the weigher and the checker, in
collision, divided the figure by two in
setting it down. The system was both
simple and effective. It worked for
twenty-five years.
Gard consulted with O'Toole upon
the advisability of using workmen
about the docks as informers. The
weigher thought this could be done
and knew a number of men who might
be so used. A laborer, for instance,
working about the scales, was able to
see the amount that the beam regis
ter. d at given times. He could easily
remember the big numbers, those that
represented the thousands of pounds,
until he had a chance to set them
down. He could thus get rough rec
ord of the weighing of given half
day. This could afterward be COM
pared with the figures of the weigher.
A pretty close check could thus be
put on the given suspects.
By such methods fairly clear cases
we're obtained against given weighers
and checkers. After much information
was gathered certain guilty men would
be selected who would be given
chances to tell all about their knowl-
edge of the frauds. These men would
BE- given immunity. Thus would few
of the guilty escape punishment; but
thus, also. would the government learn
all the details of the frauds that it
might be able to provide efectually
against them.
Special agents were set to watch
every suspect, to learn his manner OF
life, how he spent his money, whether
he could be trapped on the outside.
When the government needed the con-
fession of a given man he would be
called upon and talked to in some sven
manner as this:
"You, as checker, worked with
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28
"THs is A TIME GOVERNMENT NEEDS THE AID OF
MEN,"

there is nothing to live for. You per-
form your small duties with great
void in the back Of your mind. There
is no stage setting that makes the
petty play seem worth while. The only
relief is an occasional Saturday night
when you forget"
The special agent began to realize
that the weigher was starting on his
tri-weekly fling It also began to be
evident that he was of the order Of in
ebriates who indulge in a debauch OF
self-pity as an accompaniment to their
liquor.
ut always seemed to me-" said the
special agent, that a man could be-
come so absorbed in his work that 1t
would fill his whole life. Particularly
should this be true when he has
task so important as yours"
Mother Of Mary!" exclaimed the
Irishman. Become absorbed in
watching a bunch of thieves always
at work? Would you like to spend
your declining years in sitting idly by
and watching your employer and bene-
factor robbed?"
"Why do this?" said Gard. "Why
not lay the whole thing before the
right authority and do a worthwhile
piece of work in cleaning up the serv-
ice?"
eyes, and be broken and thrown in
to the discard to starve," was the re-
ply. 81 have seen too many Of them
20 up against the gang. None OF it
for O'Toole."
Gust one tip I will give you," said
the weigher after hearing the special
agents argument in favor of lending
his aid to showing up the frauds. III
you will examine the records of Med
iterranean cargoes you will find that,
during the past ten years, such car
goes have regularly been about twice
as heavy when handled by certain
weighers as when handled by others.
The men whose records show these
cargoes always light are the CROOKS
Those who show them heavy are hon.
est. The solution is merely matter
of mathematics"
With this semiconfdence the agent
contented himself. He continued to
go to the baseball games, but met
O'Toole only casually. In the mean
time the records of weighers were be-
ing examined. In week the hgures
were complete. They showed these
men divided into two groups that were
far apart with relation to the weights
of cargoes. The group that weighed
light was the larger.
A few days later Gard saw O'Toole
after ball game. He told the weigh
er that District Attorney Stimson
wanted to see him that night at the
federal building, that the district at
torney was under great obligations TO
him for the tip to examine weigners
records and wanted to thank him.
"O'Toole," said the district attorney
that night, this is time when the
government needs the aid of honest
men. We know that men who Woulo
clean up customs graft have, in the
past, come to grief. But this IS not
now true. I have taken up your case
with the secretary of the treasury
himself. That official asks me, to IN
form you that, in case you aid us IN
cleaning up this situation, your place
will not only be made secure but that
YOU should figure that the service Will
be remembered in the light OF your
future interests. We know that your
record is clean. We want your nelp.
Are you with u.s." .
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Holland Prepares for
Economic World Struggle

Correspondence Of The Associated Press)
The Hague, Netherlands, July III
Holland is anticipating and preparing
for great economic world struggle
after the war. 1t is publicly urged
that it must be on her guard against
an overwhelming foreign invasion,
particularly from Germany, which,
even before the war, welded an al
most predominant influence in several
spheres of Dutch life At the same
time, the commercial and industrial
princes of the Netherlands cherish
the hope that in some respects peace
may bring them specially favorable
opportunities i'll new and valuable
markets.
From either point of view it is de-
manded that Holland shall economic
ally arm herself while there is yet
time, particularly emphasizing the I'M
portance Of an improved foreign in
telligence service. The result is that
a special commercial envoy has al
ready been charged with nvestlga-
lions in Russia, and bill has now
been introduced by DR.. John Loudon,
the minister of foreign affairs, to vote
money for an extension OF the Dutch
economic intelligence service abroad.
DR.. Loudon proposes to make the
service more mobile by enabling the
professional consuls to travel far more
extensively in their consular districts
and establish personal relations with
the honorary consuls and vice con-
suls with whom they have to cooper
ate. Special measures are also to be
taken to enable them to become better
acquainted with the Dutch colonies.
A number of consular officials in gen
eral service are also to be held at the
disposal of the foreign office for spe.
cial service missions and charges of
temporary nature, with the object Of
keeping Dutch agriculture, industry
and commerce we'll informed. And
finally, experts will be employed to
report and advise on technical matters
some of them joining the permanent
staff. A sum of $4,000 is asked for to
cover the estimated expenditure in
the remaining months of the current
year
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Bee Want-Ads Are Sure Getting Results


thousands of girls under her care, to
administer to their ailments and care
for their compilations. 1t is from the
high explosives and lydite sections
that the girls mostly come from for
advice as to rest from the dangerous
work which turns their faces a vel
low tint if proper care and precau-
tons are not taken in time. Starting
with about 400 girls, the Welfare de-
partment now has charge of thou
sands. The girls are advised to avoid
jewelry, bangles and such vanites,
and they dress in neat blue, gray or
khaki overalls and eat at a smart
little Young Women's Christian as
ISOLATION canteen which is decorated
with pink walls and PRETTY decked
tables.
A hotel is already in being, built to
accommodate $50 girls just outside
the walls of the arsenal; several bun
galows have been erected to accom-
modate four or five girls in the cosiest
riverside fashion and plans are conf
plete for the accommodation of 6,00C
more who will have tennis, clubs and
other spare time facilities.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
CHINESE FACTIONS
ARE COMPLICATED
Many Problems to Be Worked
Out Before Nation Can
Be Made a Unit.
MILITARISM IS STRONG

Correspondence of The Associated Press)
Picking, July 2l.-Recent political
strife in China has shown that the
arbitrary division of Chinese politics
into the northern and southern par
ties is decidedly misleading. There
are various factions in China which
defy definite classification. But in a
general way, Chinese leaders may
be classed as members of a military
ana members of military
party.
Yuan Shi-kai was the chief expon-
emf Of the views adhered to by the
military clan. He believed in rule
by might, and created military Or
ganization which became top-heavy.
Many southern men shared Yuan
Shi-kai's views. Lang Shi-yi and
several of the other leaders whose
power waned with the death Of Yuan
Shi-kai were Cantonese.
Militarism has not been confined to
the north, and geographical lines
are in no way indicative of political
views. Tuan Chi-jui, the premier
under Yuan Shi-kai who has been
re-appointed by L Yuan-hung, is a
militarist, but did not share the i'm
perial aspirations of Yuan Sh-kai
He is a republican, but not as radio. |
republican as Ii Yuan-hung, the
president.
While Ii Yuan-hung is primarily
soldier, and has spent practically
all of his life in naval and military
effort, he is not all ultra militarist
He believes in popular rule, and has
never advocated an immense army.
Military Party Strong.
Yuan Shi-kai's methods were much
the same as those OF the old Manchu
emperors, and during his administra-
ton North China was kept at peace
by great military forces, which DOM
mated the political situation and made
it impossible for independent figures
from the south to come to Picking.
This military strength has been trans
ferred to Tuan Chi-jui. The methods
OF the military have been so repre-
hensible that even now southern
leaders are unwilling to risk their
lives in Picking, and refuse to come
here for conference. Shangai is the
center from which most OF the nego-
tiations for a settlement of the pres
ent controversies are conducted.
The military party, of which Tuan
Chi-jui is one OF the chief members,
is quite willing to disband the north
ern armies and replace the troops
now in Picking with southern soldiers.
The revolutionary leaders insist that
this must be done before harmony
can be established between the
warning factions, and Picking rendered
safe capital for legislatures of all
political faiths.
Broadly speaking, the two great
factions in Chinese politics might
be characterized as the Yuan Shi-kai
men and the anti-Iuan Shi-ka
| men. The former believe tremend-
b Gus military organization is necessary
and have little faith in popuar con.
/ troll of the government. The latter
believe a great army has defeated
/ the development of the Chinese re,
: public under Yuan Shi-kai, and favor
decided reduction of the present
= military strength as the only posi-.
bic means of lettering Chinese con-
; ditions.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Cultivation Of Herbs Is
Revived in Old EnuIanc

London, July 2l.-Among the in
dustrles being revived in England is
the cultivation Of medicinal herbs.
The old physic garden was part and
parcel of old English country Lie,
but herb growing died out in the nine.
teenth century, before the impact ot
foreign competition, and today most
medicinal herbs are scarce and some
are unprocurable.
Women who have gardens are be.
ing urged to grow badly needed herbs
to help make up for the shortage Of
drug-producing plants and keep down
the prices.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Maintain Beauty ParIor in
Great London Arsenal

Correspondence OF The Associated Press)
London. July 2l.-Woolwich ar
senal is about the last place one might
look for beauty specialist, yet it is
right in the center of that hive Of
death dealing machinery manufacture
that one can be found. Right in the
heart of this great arsenal 'Women's
Welfare Department" is presided over
BY a woman superintendent who has
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
American Minister Is
Called to Japan Church

Toxic, July 3l-The reorganized
and extended Toxic Union church has
called as permanent pastor DR.. Dore ;
mus Scudder of Honolulu, who was A
leading member of the American
community at Honolulu for II wear,
and since 1907 has been pastor al The
Honolulu Central Union church
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
G.. w. FRANCIS AUTO
COMPANY
2216-18 Farnam Street. Douglas 1853
Douglas 1853.
USED METZ CARS

END OF SEASON SALE.
THE VALUES LISTED BELOW ARE
THE BEST WE HAVE EVER
OFFERED
Three Qsl6) Metz "25" Touring
cars Observation-Disclosures. S5G5. 90
Slightly used as demonstrators, but In
perfect condition and as good new
One Gsl5) Metz Touring Car ...... $4,000
Taken In trade for new model This ear
has been thoroughly ovcrhaulcd and IL IN
first class condition. Equipped with
Bosch magnetic and Grey & Davis t@-uniN
starter and lighting system.
One (19ll Metz 22-ROadster ...... 500 90
Just taken in trade for touring ear.
In splendid condition. Just the machine
for salesman or would make good light
delivery.
Two Q9l3) Metz % Roadsters. each $3.50. 90
Also taken in trade. Splendid little cars
for runabout work Both machines have
been thoroughly ovcrhauled.
One Metz % Special Speedster s275. 90
One of the fastest cars in Omaha. Has
won over $500 in prizes during last L.
months.
One Q914 Saxon Roadster ..........s 175.O 90
Taken In trade. Has been used every
day on mail route and is in good run
ming condition.
One (l9l3) Excelsior Motorcycle 81, $50 90
This is really splendid running ma
chine and at the price the best motor
cycle bargain in Omaha.
TERMS
Suit yourself. Pay cash or part down,
balance monthly. Small discount for cash.
Store open sunday until noon, Phone
Douglas 6l57.
METZ COMPANY,
(FACTORY BRANCH)
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Wisconsin Lands.

WiStONSlN'S finest graIlnE and dairNinE
lands: any size tract from 40 acres to
1000 clay soil well located near rail-
roads at prices ranging from $i.60 10
$50 an acre state your requirements. We
can make any terms 10 suit Your needs
Dairy Belt Land Co, owen, Wis
GET literature and maps On the cheapest
good land In United States,
BAKER n TllLOTSuN.
18th and Douglas SIS omaha Doug llSs
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
FARM AND RANCH LANDS
Missouri Lands.
20-ACRE FARM FOR
ONLY $500

-. ,r,.p,,s or
,,ooo,, ,u,, ,<,t e. % uoNr,try
tt,'r,,,,,'-r ,>Tt!yt'GY 81 .rErS
, i.',,, ,,,.,...s ,,,,, ,,,y
non u.s." -, , ,r, e., s,,th...t
t.,'rt n InN a.,',. ~, ,,,,. L,.. ia
i u r., str,,,lrrrI..s
l,.r,'., ,,,,t ,,.,,rnrrt,, ,ud l.u
T., ,,,,r,.,rIa. ,r.l,,. .,d rr.,.4c, Tho
h, ,,,l ~, ,I,,trd f., ,rs,s ,ud
tr,,i, ,rs,, nov, .,rIrg NM. n,., ne, nA,g
ncr" mummy AIR. tIoo ,,r rr h,rrir,
49,, ,ra,,. tqou ,,,,,,,,rs yInh tia nor
r"u at the canning turlor}I. ct. ArrIes
just COMING ,N' h'"'hs
r,.,,,.,,,'. ~, ana ,|rr ,rrbard s,'I f,r,r
,n,n ,~,rc INN ,,,l .,nr he, uble tn
,t ''rtn, ,,,l,I,-,,i,.u n,,s.f ma uilI sell
"a f., "a ,,r, tr5,. ia A. Iynp ON term. Of
gro oo cash and g. 0r monthly. without
tn,ercst or ,,>cs
FARMS FREE To LIMITED NtMbtR
For IA limited number ~ parsons hay"
uu arrnuE"m"nl WHEREBY they can obtain
,nf'M , ',mI, ''' T.. f., .o,,n.,., Missouri.
midway between the pzarks and III" tow
lands. elevation above sea level about $50
f""t
Vrtor" nn"rlng any or my hhd t"F SAFE
| went to the authorities Of the seven
nearby states having the s"-rhlied blue
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

John y. kTHmOusCn ana "llc W
Joseph NJ Chalupsky. West L. South
Omaha, l46 west of Fortieth, north
side. 47xl4h ...................' "
". H. Griffith and wife to Fred
Christensen. Main, Benson, 800 feet
west OF Sloman avenue, north side,
bOXl2S .................' $500
Goldie Berger and husband to j. d.
West, southwest corner Twenty
sixth and Burdette, l20xl?6 ....,.
Grove & Layman Realty company
to Della P. Patton. Fifty-fifth, lSl
feet south OF Sprague, west side,
SUGl52 ...........'.' go.
Albert c. Foster and wife to c e
Randeli, southeast corner ThirtN-
fifth and Harvey. 9SxlO0 ...,.,,.
c. c. Randall and wife TO W. F. Cal
lahan southeast corner Thirty-fifth
and Harvey. 9sxl00 ..........,.
Nicholas F.. BALI ct al to Kenneth
IL Jones, Barker avenue, forty-tive
feet east of Forty-fuurth, north
Oscar Manager and wife to Dora Horn.
southeast corner Twenty-first and
Burt, 7Sx132 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Albert O. Jensen and wife. to J.
Louis Franz ct al, Martha, 100 feet
west OF Twenty first. south side,
bSHsO ..............,...
NJ. A. Pease to F. NJ. HOLSTER, north
east corner Sixteenth and Burdette,
. . :
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Auto Livery and Garages.

DON'T throw away old tires We make one
new tire from . old ones and save you SO
per cent 2 in Nulcanizing Co. 1916 Dsv-
export ST.. Omaha, Neb. Douglas 29l4.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Texas Lands.

FARM--For sale. well improved $40 acres
In Knox county. Texas. cheap; on terms
Information, write j. $. johnson. rrusrotL
'raS
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
South Dakota Lands.

FOR SALE - CORN AM ALFALFA
LANDS, LYMAN COUNTY SOUTH DA-
KOTA. $40 TO SIS AN ACRE COR
NELlus McGREEvY. PREsHo. SOUTH
DAKOTA.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Montana Lands

0 900 acres eastern Montana, Sc per cent
tiIlahle near new railroad. right price
easy terms fine retail proposition. Ad-
dress,
H. s. WEIR,
TAT Knight Rldg., Minneapolis. MINI.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06
Miscellaneous.

ARE YOU GOING TO BUY LANp7
II so. get copy Of our Journal first,
1t has lands city property and stocks
Of goods advertised nom nearly every
state, So that you can find JUS; what
you wish in Its columns, Established
- yesr1. reaching 5000 readers send
2hc for one years subscription, or u for
five years.
FARM AND REAL ESTATE JOURNAL,
TRAER. IOWA
An increase Of 25.7B paid Want Ads Tor
the first SIX months OF lslS-about 1000
ads more each WEEKS something worth
Dragging about. THE BEE did u.
SEND your name today. Receive offers
from land owners, agents, everywhere,
UNITED REALTY ASSOCIATES,
Joliet, Ill
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-06

AUCTION SALE--i4 farms. Tuesday, August
%. 1850 acres finest prairie land, near
Sedalia. Mo. divided into so to 2tO acres.
railroad fare refunded purchasers. Writ"
for free Information and plats l.aFon
Bros. Ionta. Mo
CHEAP FARMS-Any size easy terms. In
the beautiful Ozarks OF Dent county Mo
W $ Frank. 20l Neville Block. Omaha