Greenwood daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1919-1926, 1920-02-25
ORGANIZATION AT
WORK STEALING
Merchandise From Steamships Is Be
lief Expressed In Report U. S.
Chamber of Commerce.
Associated Press

Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 25-Belief
that a widespread international or
ganization is at work stealing mer-
chandise from steamships is express
ed in q report of the United States
Chamber of Commerce in Argentina.
The chamber investigated the loss of
valuable merchandise by pilfering
from ships plying to this port and
found that the same characteristics
are visible in thefts Of merchandise
from Italy, Spain and England as
from the United States"
The investigation was made at the
request of the Allied Chambers of
Commerce which asked all the men,
bers to make similar Investigations.
"The increase in pilferage during
the past few months had been alarm
ing, "says the report. "An effort was
made to deduce from the evidence re-
ceived the value Of the goods stolen,
but this was impossible although in
general terms it would seem to run
into hundreds of thousands of dollars
gold.
"One curious feature developed
which was that pilferage occurs with
frequency in articles sent by parcels
post, for which there is no recourse
if no value has been declared.
"The thefts have all the character
istics of systematized robbery by peo-
pie who know the merchandise and
also know the peculiarities of the
the shippers. 1t would seem, more
over, that q widespread international
organization was at work for the same
characteristics are visible in thefts
of merchandise from Italy, France,
Spain and England as from the Un-
tied States.
Zone house imported lot of 3O
automobiles. 1t is the custom OF this
factory to pack the set of tools in one
special corner of the case. A hole was
cut into this particular corner OF ~
cases and the tool sets were removed
Apparently the thieves knew exactly
where to look for the articles they
desired.
Another house which imports dry
goods found that zinc-lined cases had
been opened, the silk contents remov-
ed and an equal weight of coal put in
to the cases which were nailed up
Another house which also imports dry
goods had several cases Of silk velvet
completely rifled and in the cases
were found cotton goods of an infer,
ior quality. Each Of these cases IN
yolved losses amounting to neafl!
$4,000 gold. One exporter OF silk
from Europe, with the idea Of deceiv
ing the thieves changed his form O.
packing and also his shipping mark
but the thieves went direct to tn
packages and rifled them as thougl
they knew before hand what they con
contained. Two separate shipment
each containing 10000 sewing mach
inc needles were stolen, the empt,
boxes arriving in Buenos Aires, al
though in this case the shippers hav
complete security that the merchan
diae was loaded on the steamer i
proper condition in New York.
merchant makes his Custom Hous
declaration in harmony with tn
shipping documents received tro1
abroad and must pay duty on good
that were stolen.
NThe British steamship companie
at first and more recently the Ame'
lean steamship companies have II
cluded in their bills of lading claus
to the effect that the steamer will NJ
be responsible for pilferage in
cases in which loss can be covered b
insurance.
"Insurance companies are increa
ing their rates and threaten to NAL
still more increases. The attitude
the steamship companies and the ca
tains il = direct invitation to unr
stricted theft on board ship. AS the
increases, insurance rates will i
crease and the eventual prejudice
legitimate commerce threatens to
very grave.
~The opinion of responsible mari
ime insurance agents and adjuste
who are in close touch with the 81
uation il that the only remedy is +
the steamship companies to reassur
responsibility for pilferage and in ca
they are unwilling to do so COVER
mental pressure should be brought
hear to compel them to eliminate Il
clause"
Design British
Victory Med