Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 307, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1915 — FAKES CATCH MANY [ARTICLE]

FAKES CATCH MANY

$239,000,000 Taken From Public In Four Years. Post Office Department Issues 56 Fraud Orders in Last Year In Effort to Btop This Wholesale Victimization. Washington, D. C. —Investigations conducted by government officers show that fraudulent schemes have taken from the public more than $239,000,000 in the last four years. In an effort to reduce this wholesale victimization the post office department has issued 56 fraud orders in the last year. The issuance of such an order denies the person named in it the use of the mails. In one case the inspectors reported that during the last year a man received $46,500 from the sale of a metal finger ring, called an electro-chemical ring. It was sold for $2 to some and $4 to others. “The following diseases," reads that faker’s "literature,” “are caused by acid in the blooJl and are cured by this ring, which takes from one day to two weeks after the ring commences to work. The ring and acid create an electro-chemical action, removing the excess of acid, which cures these diseases and will keep them cured: Bright’s disease, St. Vitus dance, adenoids, gout, cancer.” Many other diseases were named. A fraud order was issued against a woman because she claimed to be able to give any person of great avoirdupois a form like Venus without any discomfort. “Weigh Just what you want to weigh," “Eat all you want to eat,” yourself and be as happy as I am,” were some of her arguments. The department found that in; 105 replies from patrons who took the remedy prescribed 75 were dissatisfied, some claiming to be bigger than ever. One man claimed to have a list of 400 widows, all matrimonially Inclined, some of them having such additional attraction as $20,000, who wanted to get in communication with life companions. The advertisements were written in Polish and appeared in Polish newspapers. The man established his acquaintances by inserting this advertisement: WIDOW, 23, WITHOUT CHILDREN, looking for a friend for life; must be energetic and willing worker; have income of $l5O a month. As soon as anyone replied a photograph of a good-looking Polish woman was sent to the inquirer. On the back of it appeared the words: "Am a widow, twenty-three years old. Have butcher shop and employ four men. Have no children. Willing to love a good man and also a good worker.” Another man had wonderful powers of observation when his palm was crossed with gold, according to representations made persons in many parts of the country. To one person who remitted $12.50 on a payment of $37.50 for a “gambling hand," this man wrote: "I take pleasure in sending you my gambling hand and all that goes with It. When you get it sew it up in a piece of soft leather and carry it in your pocket with your money. Let no one handle it and keep it as dry as you can. I will send you nine candles, to'use one at a time —Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. Light It and set it down on a brick. Do not touch It for one hour, then throw ashes on the floor and pass your foot on them.” Not all the persons against whom fraud orders were issued played on the suspicions, ill health or the sentimental side of persons to get their money. Some were very practical. A Kentucky man got various concerns to send him farm implements, for which he never paid. A northwestern "company” used this advertisement: “Girls do you want to earn SI,OO and have your photo* used in advertising a new brand of chewing gum? Send 2-cent stamp for particulars.” After a response was received the correspondent was advised that it was a competition and that an entrance fee would be required. A New Englander sold “lucky stones” at $1 each, which he purchased by the thousand at from 2% to 15 cents apiece. According to the report of the federal authorities, which resulted in a fraud order being issued.

he “induced people to believe that the flaws were not flaws, but were peculiar marks of the so-called lucky stones, which he called magic mirrors. He stated that because of the flaws those favored mortals who are gifted with the illumination of the astral light can, by the aid of this peculiarity, read on the surface of the stone the reflection of the past and the promise of the future.” The post office department flies show that in the last fifteen years the man took in more than $300,000 on his scheme; in recent years the business amounted to $44,000 annually. He had a supply of 10,000 stones on hand, his usual reserve stock. A fraud order was issued against a concern which had sold 45,451 “oxygen” belts.