Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-26
Police Officials Investigating Several
Concerns Which Throw Out
GlitIering Bats.
A HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THIRTY.
Progressive Membership Which Will ABB
sorb the Worlds Population
in a Year.
EVERY MAN TO FIX HIS OWN INCOME.
Chief R.cvr to Penetrate the Mystery Of Number
Of Schemes

"Wheu any man or body of men offers to
pay 500 for $50 it is pretty safe TO conclude
that there is fraud concealed somewhere
in the scheme said Police Inspector Nc
Aleese yesterday, referring to yellow cir
cular which pointed out the road to wealth
in specious language, artistically printed in
big type.
For some days past the Police Bureau has
been investigating the methods OF a number
of alleged cooperative benefit societies
whose circulars are flooding the city. Sub
ordinate lodges are springing up rapidly all
over the county, the Southside and
Lawrenceville districts being apparently
specially favorable to the growth of these
concerns.
Assistant Superintendent of Police
O'Mara sized up the scheme by saying:
THE only salvation l see for such an order
is the early arrival of the end of the world. !"
The scheme as unfolded by circular
from one CT these concerns, with the main
Office located in Camden, n. j., is very en-
ticing. According to its plan man with
capital of S100 can, within few years, live
in a golden mansion with diamond windows
and hire men to breathe tor him, the air con-
sumed being supplied by the Washington
Marine Band. No business ability is re-
quired to acquire this wealth. All that is
needed is the capital and confidence. The
latter is not essential, but will be found
handy by the investor.
A Glittering Bait for Suckers.
The yellow circular disclosed the plan of
operation as follows:
One hundred dollars to be paid to each per-
sistent member after four months from date of
certificate; the cues not TO exceed the amount
of 81 per week within the prescribed time, pay
able every Monday during the term of men,
bership, regularly.
a sick OF accident benefit to be paid to men,
bers after 60 pays from date of certificate, not
exceeding 81 per week Ito cover dues) during
the remainder OF membership. said benefits to
be deducted from the amount of certificate
when mature.
A small amount for initiation, certificate and
expense taxes required TO cover the necessary
expenses.
a pledge required from each applicant for
membership to bring into the order, within
two weeks from date of admission two good
and reliable members
No medical examination. no bebarring from
membership on any account whatsoever, pro-
Vl0eQ the applicant is OF GOOQ moral character
and has reached the age of Is.
The circular then shows the cost of max
ing 500 is as follows: Initiation fee, So; e1-
pense dues, 81; contributions to relief fund,
81; weekly dues for II weeks, at 81 per week.
S17; total, $50; after which come the follow
ing provisions:
Failure to comply with the full pledge of two
members shall cause fine of $50, or of one
member, $50 to be deducted on date OF matur-
ity from the amount of certificate
Any member having filled his pledge in full,
and said pledges being members in good stand
ing for two consecutive months. shall be privi-
legged to take out an additional certificate.
Takes in the Whole World.
The clauses requiring each member to Sc
cure two more members before he receives
his 500 at once show the policy of the or
der and its weakness. 1t is system of pro-
gression which has always proven disastrous
since the DAY historical gentleman pro-
posed to buy horse on the basis of the nails
in the animals shoes, paying 1 cent for the
first and then doubling up on each success
sive nail.
Starting with M embership OF !. 600 on a
given date-and that is low estimate of
the number of persons interested in these
concerns in Allegheny county aloHe-the
figures would pile up in this way: