The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-01
HUMBUGGING OUR INVENTORS.
A Bogus Partisan Academy Selling Them
Gilt Medals at Ten Dollars Apiece.

swlnding scheme which a clever
Partisan has applied successfully to many
American inventors has just been exposed
by the authorities OF the Franklin Insu-
tute. From the office of an alleged "Pari-
sian Inventors Academy" in Paris,
France. its president" Il. Boettcher, sent
circulars broadcast among the inventors
Of the United States. informing them that
they had been elected members Of honor
Of the academy and that with this dis
tinction went "frst-class diploma" and
great gold medal" "This valuable
title" naively announces the circular,
will be no expense to you, but II you are
DESTROYS TO receive the medal and diploma
you would have to send us post money
order of $40 to cover the admission taxes,
freight, &c, and we shall send both well
packed and free of charge to your adj
dress"
Among the Philadelphians who have
been induced TO send so for this bogus
medal are Cyrus Chambers, president of
the Bala and Merton Electric Company,
and S. Lloyd Wiegand, the well-known
inventor. There are many others I'm this
city who have secured medals from Boett-
cher, several members of the Franklin
Institute among the number During the
almost one hundred Inquiries recorded
at the institute concerning the Academy
from inventors who had received the
medal.
The circular which lured the creduous
inventors 10 invest their so each is got
ten up with all the usual academic recon-
mendations. The president OF honor is
+. De A. Des Masures, alleged 10 have
been mayor and Knight OF the Legion
Of Honor. Boettcher is the president
director, and there is n long list Of direc-
tors with imposing titles.
How these men. many Of whom are OF
good standing, came TO allow their names
10 be used as directors is inexplicable.
The attention of the institute was first
drawn TO this widespread swindllng
scheme by inquiries as 20 the standing OF
the Partisan Inventors Academy" and
so numerous did these become that DR..
VAIL determined TO make q crucial exam
ination Of the matter. He did so, and as
n result he felt justified in issuing this
open letter TO American inventors:
american inventors are hereby IN
formed that M. Boettcher and his acad-
envy are fTaods. There is the best official
authority for the statement that NJ. Boett-
cher is engaged in the preparation Of
a swindle; that his academy has no exist
and medals have absolutely no value. and
that his only visible means Of support
are the fees derived from credulous Amer
lean inventors"
The information which led TO the issue
of this letter was obtained from Consul
Voisson. who wrote the Department Of
Agriculture and Public Works Of Paris
in behalf Of the institute, and procured
Boettcher's record. His academy" was
shown to be pure myth.
Boettcher's method in sending out his
circulars is supposed to have been TO
consult the recently recorded inventions in
the Patent Office Official Gazette" and
spread his circulars broadcast among the
inventors. Many had their vanity tickled
and became easy victims. The medal was
always sent when the $40 was forwarded
and is neat and pretty in design and
skillfully gilded.-Philadelphi Record.