The New York herald., 1921-02-04
SO SUSPENDED AS
PR0BE EXTENDS IN
CUSTOMS SERVICE
New Cases of Bribery and
Collusion in Smuggling
Brought to Light.
INDICTMENTS COMING
Inquiry Reveals Activities
of Baggage Hounds OH
New York Piers.
INDICTMENTS COMING
WIDE GRAFT TRAIL Barred
Not a Man Hunt, but a Clean
up, Says CollectOr-More
Dismissals Near.

The graft investigation which Gus
toms Collector Byron r. Newton is
conducting against customs employees
lusion with smuggling tourists, as was
indicated In the exclusive Washing
ton Bureau despatch to THE New YORK
HERALD yesterday, promises to de-
velop into the most sensational scam
dal New York port officials have con-
fronted in many years.
New cases of bribery were coming
to light yesterday almost hourly. Be-
fore the close of Government business
about fifty inspectors and examiners
had been placed under suspension with
serious charges pending against them.
Several Of these men already have
been dismissed from the service Some
OF those charged with the more flag
rant offences. 1t was stated authori-
tatively. are likely to have to face
Federal indictments.
A general investigation of the So
called outside forces Of the customs
service, which mas uncovered the irreg-
uiarities, was begun by Collector New
ton several weeks ago through special
agents of the Treasury Department
working out clues that had come to
the attention Of the Collector. None
of the developments had become public
however, until the facts We're learned
In Washington on Wednesday. Collec-
tor Newton. who had gone to WASH
fnrtpn Monday to acquafnt Secretary
Houston with the situation. returned TO
his post In the New York Custom House
Wednesday night
List OF suspensions Grows.
Following the publicity given to the
scandal by THE NEW YORK HERALD yes
terday, ocean steamship passengers who
had been solicited for gratuities by Gus
toms employees began coming TO the
front voluntarily. with the result that
the list of suspensions under charges
grew during the day and Is likely to
expand further as the inquiry pro-
crosses.
Most of the suspended men are
charged with soliciting or receiving
gratuities from passengers at the time
OF the examination OF baggage taken
from incoming steamships. The amount
of these gratuities ranged from one
dollar to several hundred dollars In
each case. Those inspectors and ex-
aminers who thus far have been dis
missed and whose cases are likely TO
he presented to the Federal Distrfct
Attorney have borne tainted reputa-
ton on the piers. They belong to the
class known among customs men as
baggage hounds" They work more
boldly and on a larger scale than the
others
Additional 6ism.ssals from the force
xvs,i follow as soon as the Collector
recommendations can be STUDIED III
washington, where each case is re-
viewed before final action is taken oy
the Collector.
II has been a common practice Oh tne
baggage hounds" II Is said. 10 cali a.
the office or the residence OF favored
nassenger the day following the arriv-
ing travellers baggage examination on
the pier. Thus, In a seemingly safe Sc
ciusion. they often received larger tips
than customarily are given TO the less
aggressive inspectors working on the
steamship piers. Some OF the givers
have admitted recently to Collector New
ton tnat they had given as much as $zoo
10 have their belongings passed through
the inspection ordeal with neatness and
despatch
Cases for CromfnaI Action.
Cases or this CHARACTER, IL 10 pAVi
win be dealt with vigorously. because IL
IS a violation of the customs regulations
for an Inspector or examiner TO cali
upon any passenger or importer at the
latter's office or residence unless he be
sent there upon legitimate and official
duty.
Receiving money OF anything OF IN
trinsic value by a customs official In
connection with the examination OF bag
ra1e Is an indictable offence under the
Federal statutes and Is punishable by
fine or Imprisonment or both. All In
spectors who take the oath OF office
know this, and there is little disposition
on the part of their superior officers to
condone the offence.
This is not n man hunt" said Col
lector Newton I'VE are not seeking
any particular person nigheer up nor
are we aiming 10 get any individual
scalps My hope and purpose primarily
is TO break up this pernicious practice.
This Is the hardest task I have ever
had to perform, because II involves
many men who are fundamentally hon.
est, but who have been drawn In, or have
drifted into this situation because OF
conditions and environment.
"Frirst. these men undoubtedly are af-
fccted by the moral rc,rogrcssion evil
aent everywhere In the world. Secondly.
r. ~orpo tfr,o thorn has bcofl iopqO