The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1921-02-15
CUSTOM INSPECTOR
IS INDICTED ON
CHARGES OF GRAFT
ISadore Cohen Accused of Un.
lawfully Taking Fees From
Ship Passengers.

The Federal Grand Jury to-day in
dicted Isadore Cohen, for twenty
three years an inspector in the Gus
tom House, charging him with taking
unlawful fees. He was arraigned be-
fore United states Judge Thompson
and held in $1,000 bail. The date for
his trial Is not fixed. The indictment
is drawn under the tarinf act and the
penalty. II he is convicted, may be
two years in prison, $1,000 fine, or
both. He pleaded not guilty and was
given a week in which to change the
plea
The indictment describes his man
ner as "gruff and overbearing" and
goes in TO detail in four cases dat
ing from last summer to this winter.
The first count says that on Dec.
II a prominent man (aH the names Of
victims are withheld) arrived with
his niece on the Aquitania and made
a declaration on which the duty was
$1,000. He said he wanted 20 get
away quickly because his valet and
his nicce's maid were both III. Cohen,
it Is alleged, told him he probably
would BIZ held until late at night. The
man Is alleged TO have offered 500 to
Cohen, who demanded $500 saying
no had to divide with the appraiser"
It is charged that Cohen received
the 5000.
The second count says a wealthy
wUuan arrived on the Aqutania on
Sept, II and was questioned byI
Cohen. The indictment says he told
her he believed her declaration was
too high and that he would fix II so
she would have less duty to pay II
she would look after me-" The
declaration was trimmed, it is al
legged, and the woman offered 500.
Cohen is alleged to have said he
could not take it there, but would call
at her house, which he did, and col
iected, according to tho indictment.
Two sisters arrived on the Baltic
on Aug. 27, and Cohen is alleged to
have met them and told them they
needn't bother to open their luggage,
saying it was not necessary. The
women said everything was on the
declaration, anyway.
"All right" Cohen is alleged TO
have replied, ITS warm day and
you want to got home. Fix me up
for my services, aud make II enough
SO / can divide with the appraiser"
The sisters paid duty of s39i5O the
indictment says, and one OF them Of |
fcred Cohen $50 lie Is alleged to |
have frowncd 80 menac.ngly that |
she Immediately gave him $50 more |
on the Aquitania on Dec. ii "A Unit |
ed States soldier came home with his |
mother declaring $1,000 worth OF duti !
nble goods and mentioning some war
souvenirs which he said were Of no |
value. United states Attorney Barnes !
said no duty should have been collect |
ed in this case. since the souvenirs
we're actually OF no value, and on the |
other things the soldier WAS entitled |
to a 800 exemption.
Cohen is alleged to have told him
the souvenirs were valuable and that
he would have TO pay duty. The sol
der refused to pay and Cohen Is
alleged to have told him everything
could be fixed for $40, whereupon the
soldier paid, according to the charges.
Byron II. Newton, Collector Of the
Port, said that in spite Of efforts to
throw a smoke screen over the inves-
igation he In conducting the inquiry
will go ahead. The purpose" ne said,
lis to eradicate certain well known
evils and eliminate certain corrupt
men from the outside force. | don't
know how many will be indicted. II
may be one or twenty. But no limo
cent man need fear punishment"