Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-07-27

inc SO. not to mention a stiff fine
that her husband Ca former New
York supreme court justice) had to
foot the bill for. Incidentally the gov
eminent confiscated the smuggled
assets.
1t seems that Mrs. Lauer had a
maid, who took umbrage at a criti-
cism or two by her mistress, who had
reason to suspect the smuggling
transaction, who was astute enough
to know that smuggling is illegal, and
who tipped off Uncle Sans revenue
agents. just to get even with Mrs.
Lauer.
Well she got good and even. She
got more than that, though. Possibly
that maid wasn't aware that the in
former in such instances gets from
the government a substantial chunk.
as a reward, out of Uncle Sans con-
fiscatory activities. She found it out
later. however, when she received a
nice check from the Treasury De-
partment, her share of the collection
Plenty of Publicity.
What's more, deal of publicity
was given to the fact that the maid
did make a good financial thing out
of her crouch.
ThereupOn other prominent peo-
pies servants began turning in hints
TO the Treasury concerning their en-
ployers' supposed smuggling. l don't
suppose that this second batch of in
formers were actuated by any par
tlcular desire to cancel old grudges
against their various masters and
mlstresseS. All they appear to have
wanted was to make some money.
like the LauerS' maid.
Several of them succeeded. Quite
little coterie of film stars and radio
celebrities were caught on the spot
and had to dig up tidy sums, out of
which the informants get nice pieces
of 'divvy'' from the federal govern
ment
Just why film and radio person
alities should be especially suscep-
tlble to the smuggling urge isn't clear
TO me, or to the Treasury, either. It
must be because they everlasting
ly are travelling to Europe and com
ing back again, thus having a better
chance than less frequent tourists
providing they get away with it.
Anyway, the proportion of 'em who
Go get snagged is exceptionally high
and they've been brought to book.
up TO date, exclusively by their SER
wants.
Moreover, the servants have dis
covered now that there is a good
thlng to be made out of anti-smug-
gllng espionage. A maid, a valet or
putler who sees an opportunity to
scoop IN couple or three thousand
on the customs game naturally is
tempted Doubtless they lose their
Jobs. but an immediate Treasury
check, maybe running into four fig
ufes, IS a pretty fair offset against
d position worth $50 or $40 monthly.
surmise that one of these "can-
hed lnformants, trying to find a new
perth, would have a heck of a time
securing a favorable recommendation
l[om his or her last boss, but prob
ably that hasn't occurred to 'em vet.
Inc games young; its contrasting ad-
Vantages and disadvantages haven't
It'll Be Overworked.
anyhow, the customs service sim
ply is sWamped with offers from
1nalds, buffers, Wallets and footmen to
reveal smugglings by Americas clas-
slest families.
Customs officials are not fooled.
dhey fully understand that most Of
Ihese tips are f"phoney"- that the
Would-be informers merely are TAX
ing chance On scoring a fat govern
nent check here and there, by pure
accident, as in a lottery.
Inc Lauers' maid knew what she
Was talking about.
Her Immediate imitators, catching
me inspiration, knew what they were
talking about also.
The present crew are gambling
solely.
Yet if you're "socialite," movie
star or an outstanding broadcaster,
be wary.