PORT OF NEW YORK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2752, 5 March 1910, Page 3

PORT OF NEW YORK.

CHEATING THE CUSTOMS

Mr. Boeb. collector cf the port) of New York, lias lately Ijeen carrying on a vigorous crusade against evaders of Customs duties. Large sums have boon recovered from the Sugar Trust, and although the Government has received handsome sums in settlement of unpaid duties other goods, and several men have Deen tried and found guilty, there are more payments and more trials yet t:-i come. A number of indictments have been returned against dressmakers in New York and Chicago, on smuggling charges, and, according to the collector, investigation lias revealed the existence of “a gigantic conspiracy," headed by a. former Customs official residing in Paris, for the importation of costly goods from France, Belgium, and Holland without payment of duties. Since 190-1, it is stated, at least two hundred' trunks containing gowns and other highly dutiable goods have passed the Customs by means of a simple device On receiving orders by cable from his American confederates the Paris agent would buy the articles desired, pack them in trunks, and label the trunks with the names of Americans who had sailed or were sailing home. Thus these trunks would cross the Atlantic in the guise of luggage left behind in the hurry of departure; and on arrival in New York a baggage-master on the pier saw to it that they were slipped over to a dock where there were no inspectors on the watch, and were speedily conveyed to the dressmakers, who are now awaiting trial.