Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-03-22
How Government Money and Bonds are Off,
clally Destroyed.

10 the nuge maCeraCOr might Do IN
their hands to ''place them where they
would do the most good" Through
the courtesy of u member of the De.
struction Committee, to whom our par
ty were indebted for the explanations,
it was shown that they were cOmpara'
lively valueless, from the fact that the
signatures were cut off at either cor
ner.
The cylinders have capacity to hold
$500 pounds, but are seldom filed
with more than 1000 pounds. They
are filed with Government securities
and other paper values, viz: United
States fractional currency bonds, in
ternal revenue certificates stamps,
checks and unfinished and imperfect
money. These distinctions are so ar
ranged as to take place on alternate
days. opening one day and filling the
next, so that the daily average of
money destroyed amounts to between
ST. 5000. .00U and 100000.
The old process of destroying was
by burning, but in that way the Gov
ernment obtained no returns, while by
the present mode of macerating the
Government is enabled to sell the pulp
for $3.50 per ton, it being fit for con.
version into new paper.
A short time ago an interesting
maceration took place of a collection
of counterfeit money from the Secret
Service Bureau, the accumulation of
about five years. Some of these coun.
terfeit notes were very good imita-
tions, many being retained by the De.
partment as specimens. OF these
counterfeit notes, there were enough
to represent 81 100000
In a reservation of ground situated
south Of and near the United States
Treasury is an open space Of ground
known as the ''White Lot" on which
is erected u brick structure wherein is
contained two large cylinders, about
twelve feet long by four feet in diam.
eter, having an ot.long aperture in the
centre of about ten inches, with a bed
to which screw is attached, and an
iron bar running across secured by
three locks, each lock having a differ.
ent key. The three keys are entrusted
to and held by the Committee who
represent the three officers of the
Treasury-the Secretary, the Treasur-
er and the Register; all these gentle
men must be present before the mac.
orator can be opened. The cylinder
contains a number of short knives,
jutting out from the interior walls,
for the p0rpose Of lacerating paper
money contained therein; water and
some chemicals are introduced to soft.
en- and aid in effectually destroying the
paper and absorbing the ink. The ma
chine. which is worked by steam
power, is then set in motion, and re-
wolves rapidly for f0rty.eight hours.
Next day the committee Of three are
on hand at the appointed hour, each
with his key, and opening the apera'
ture, the contents fall into reservoir
of water through sieve, and to all ap.
pearance are like the ashes of Baron
Won Palm shown after cremation.
The National Bank note sent to the
Treasury for redemption and destruc'
ton or for new issues, are destroyed in
the Treasury building, where there il
erected a maceratOr on smaller scale
similar in construction, but different
in its shape, to that in the ''white
L0t.'' The notes, after assortment BY
the Redemption Agent are delivered
to the Comptroller of the Currency
and are first numbered in numerical
order upon register, upon which thu
counters are required to receipt fol
each package delivered to them fol
count. No one but the counter who
receipts for it is ever permitted tc
break the seals of a package. The
counters are required to return and
obtain receipt for the contents OF
each strap before opening the next
The notes are assorted by denomina
tion by the counters, and made up, a:
far as practicable, into full package:
of 100 notes Of the same denomination
The notes fit for circulation are re
tained, and, in case of doubt, the de
cision is always in favor of the fines!
of the note for circulation. The note'
unfit for circulation are Cancelled ii
the presence of the counter before be
ing returned.
The counting and asserting is ont
by number Of expert ladies.and W; j.
q rapidity that would put tn the blusi
some OF the smartest bank tellerS
Certificates are issued to the severa
banks for all money forwarded b,
them for redemption or destruction
which has been witnessed by the Com
mlttee and Bank Agent.