New-York tribune., 1921-02-01
u. S. Attorney
Given Case Of
Miss de Coppet
Collector of Port Newton
Turns Over the Facts in
Discovery of Diamond
Necklace 10 Prosecutor
Brooklyn Man Arrested
Customs Men Find $4,000
i'm Cut Stones Sewed in
Underclothes of Prisoner

All tho facts in connection with the
$1,000 diamond necklace which was
found in the baggage Of Miss Juliette
de Coppetx daughter of the late Edward
J. de Coppet, broker, when she landed
from the Aquitania Sunday we're turned
over TO the Federal District Attorney
yesterday by Byron X. Newton, Coll
lector of the Ports It is alleged that
the necklace did not appear on the
sworn declaration of Miss de Coppet.
1t vas discovered in her baggage after
a customs officer had come upon its
case in the suite which had been oc-
supied by Miss de Coppet with Nine.
Ssmbrich, the opera star.
Miss de Coppet did not appear before
the Collector yesterday, being repre-
sented by her counsel. Harold A. Con.
tent. After a conference the case was
turned over to the Federal District
Attorney, who probably will take action
to-day.
Woman's Tip Reveals Diamonds
An alleged case of diamond SNUG
Cling on the Aquitania was frustrated
as a result of telephone tip from an
unidentified woman Saturday night.
This tip resulted in the close examine
tion of Harry Binder, of 367 Pearl
Street, Brooklyn, who was second
class passenger on the ship. Accord
Ing to the customs officials seven dia-
1nonds were discovered neatly sewer in
Binders underciothes.
Coincident with these seizures ON the
Aauitania, Collector Newton yesterday
said there is more smuggling being done
atsthe present time than in any former
period of his administration. The
smuggling activities, he said, were tag
ing the efforts of the customs staff to
the limit to keep them in check. The
total value of goods seized in this port
during the last year amounts approxi-
naasely to million dollars, the major
ity of which was taken by the ordinary
customs inspectors in the course Of
their routine duty.
Regarding the necklace of Miss de
Goppet, Collector Newton said that the
facts were SO clear-cut that there was
no other course of action but to
turn the matter over TO the District
Attorney. No action has yet been
taken in the case of Binder, who was
permitted to go TO his home because
Of the illness of his father. The lat
ter died shortly after Binder reached
home.
Gems Sewed in UndercIothes
In his case the seizure came as a
direct result of the telephone tip re-
ceived by Joseph Cea, night telephone
operator at the Custom House. This
Zip was turned in by a woman who
refused to give her name, and merely
said over the telephone that Binder
Was attempting to bring jewelry in.
Fhe tip was turned over to the Sur
yeyor, who assigned his deputies,
Wadsworth and Walsh, to the case.
The latter found Binder, and after
ascertaining that he had not declared
any jewelry Inspectors Kelly and Bab-
cock were assigned to search him.
They say they found the jeweiry, con-
listing Of seven stones varying in
weight from one TO four carats and
valued at $4,000, sewed in his under
clothes. Binder had been to Poland
TO bring back several members Of his
family
He was paroled in custody Of Her
bert Peake, of "A Court Street, Brook
lyn, and ordered to appear week from
to-day. The delay was granted to per-
nit him to arrange for the funeral Of
his father