Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-04
Fraudulent ..osfice BROKERS',

HOW THEY MAKE MONEY BY PRETENDING TO PRO-
CURE POSITIONS FOR PEOPLE ANXIOUS TO SERVE
"UNCLE SAM
'Procuring government positions for pay, or to
speak more accurately, should say the pretense
OF procuring them," said a gentleman OF long Of
fetal experience to STAR reporter, ais conf
dence operation that will continue to be practiced
as long there are fools to be feeced out OF their
money"
"Are these brokers ever really able to command
positions?" inquired the reporter
NO." was the reply. "There may be- and per-
maps are, cases in which government positions
have been obtained from those having the power
to make appointments through corrupt bargains,
possibly for the payment Of a fixed sum of money
but such transactions have been between the cor
Tupt official and some trusted crony. the latter
being the blind. But these men who advertise to
procure situations under government, and who
profess 10 do it for pay are sharpers-regular
hdence men,"
GLOW do they work their schemes."
"Wel, In different ways. They are usually
shreWd scamps, who watch every opportunity and
take advantage OF every trick. One plan is to in
form the applicant that cash outlay Will be ne
cessary and require an advance from the victim
ofsay, twenty-five dollars. He is put off from time
TO time and necced as long as he VIII stand H.
being told that the place has been secured. but
that another SOS or $50 IS necessary pay for it.
Finally the VICTIM out OF patience, refuses to pay
any more, and then he is told that he Will not
comply with the necessary conditions 1t Is his own
fault that he falls. Ir he threatens TO expose the
sharper the latter cooly advises him that he, in
Offering to buy place, IS as deep in the mud as
he (the sharpe is in the mire, and that's the end
OF 1t. | knew OF one case In which young man
from western state was here seeking govern
ment employment. One Of the Senators from his
state was working industrlouslv for him, and had
been promised a position. The young man, how
ever; got out or patience. and advertised that he
would pay for place. One of the smart brokers
answered the advertisement, and the western
young man called on him. After a short CONVEX
sation, the terms were agreed upon and the
broker assured the gentleman that he would get
him place. Then he asked his visitor If he had
any references; anybody who knew him and
would vouch for his character, ETC. ooh, yes re-
piled the young man, very thOughtlesSly, senator
ton for me- naming the department chief who had
made the promise. Next day the broker waited
upon the Senator and expressed great interest in
the young man. He was anxious to see him
placed, and was satisfied he could be of
service in obtaining him position If
tho Senator would but permit him (the
broker to aid In the undertaking. The Senator,
who, by the way, was one OF the most honest and
credulous, easy-going men l ever saw. gladly ac-
cepted the proffered aid, and in a short time the
broker Was in possession OF all the facts concern
Ing the case. He obtained note from the Sena-
Tor, addressed TO the department chief, in
relation to the matter, and thus worked
him himself right into it. He was informed
the case, and that he might say to the Sena-
tor that vacancy would occur In a few days The
broker then carried to the young man the mes
sage which called him to the department to re-
ceive his appointment, and claimed to have pro-
cured the position for him. For eight months that
confifing youth paid the broker s25 per month,
only TO learn afterwards that the man had had no
more Influence in getting him work than had the
man in the moon. The young man is still here in
government employ, and Is a most worthy gentle
man-hence, do not care to give his name, but
I've no doubt his is a type OF many cases. You
may set down any man who offers to procure gov
eminent places for pay as fraud, and If he de-
MES It refer him to me. and I'll guarantee to