Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-19

publication on counterfelts. We have
several in the United States that are
up TO the mark, and quick in sounding
the alarm whenever new specimens ap-
pear In the market. But II will not do
to lay these publications away on Il
shelf, as they make their regular ap-
pearance, and let them get moldy in
dust and oblivion. May L ask you if
you ever look into it unless confronted
with counterfeit? The truth is, that
unless you make these publications
somewhat OF study, it will not help
you In keeping counterfeits out of your
drawer, though it will teach YOU the
truth, after they are thrown back upon
you. Most tellers-mind, | do not speak
OF city experts, but of the lesser lights
have an idea that they know all
about it," can tell a bad bill twenty
teet Off; know as much as the pub
fishers and don't need to be posted.
What nonsense! Show me the man too
old to learn! If you want to become
Il first rate teller, take your counter
felt detector and study page by page, by
comparison with the genuine issues on
hand. Take strong magnifying glass,
examine the good bills, and locate the
spots where the defects come in on the
counterfeits. Go from one denomina-
tion TO another, from silver to gold,
until the looks OF the genuine bills
and the weak spots in the counterfeits
are engraved on your memory. Then
you know where to look for the vulner-
able spots, whenever you handle money,
and will have no need to scrutinize the
bill as a whole.
Besides, such Investigations will teach
you the currency and coin of your coun-
try. "Ah!" you will say, what an
4 4
years; know it like II boolln, This is
mere vanity! Try it once! There are
but very few tellers who can correctly
describe even those denominations
most in circulation. Ask them for a
superficial description only, and you
will find that they get portraits, vign-
cites, etc., all mixed up. | think n
man whose business it is TO handle
money from the beginning of the year
to its end, should endeavor to post him
| self thoroughly, not only upon fraudu-
| lent issues. but also upon all the facts
connected with American money; how
| it looks, how it is coined and manufac-
tured; which is necessary to thoroughly
| master the subject.
There is nothing that will familiar
i2e you more with tho United States
currency than such search and investi-
| CATION as herein suggested.
Another good plan is to cut all news
paper items or kilograms speaking of
| spurious money, and Of the manner in
which banks are daily duped by
"shovers OF the queer" Paste them in
IA convenient place and read them over
occasionally, so that your mind may be
alert on the subject, making il difficult
To get ensnarcd
Now it is not to be expected that
every clerk in the bank will follow
these precepts. My advice is for tel
lers aud the cashiers OF smaller institu-
tions who, owing to their positions,
must, or rather, should, have com
| plete knowledge OF everything concern
ing directly the handling of money. In
order to become thoroughly acquainted
with your calling, you must gather in
formation from many quarters. / have
amongst my bank library several works
written by prominent detectives, treat
ing upon nothing but bank sobberies
bank burglaries, the secret work OF
| countcrfeiters aud associates, ETC., etc.
Such works give one an idea OF what
one may expect in this line, and, there
fore must constantly guard against. Sc
far these books have done me no good
but one of these days the knowledge
gained thereby may save many thou
SANDS OF dollars.
| i will give you a case In point of what
use the study OF your profession is In