The morning times., 1897-02-04
The Arrest in New York

New York, Feb. 3.-After years of hard
work it is now said that the Postoffice
authorities have succeeded in running to
earth band of thieves which has been
robbing the government of stamps at the
rate Of about $4,000 year for many
years back. The first arrest was made
today in this city, and it will be followed
up, it is further said, by the arrest OF the
others in the gang.
The man who was arrested in this city
is Hamilton F. Colman, a clerk in the chief
clerks department. in the general land
office, in Washington. He was arrested on
telegram from Washington. Over 5000
worth OF stamps were found on his person
These stamps are known as periodical
stamps They ranged in value from / cent
to $50. A number OF these sets of stamps
are semitic each postmaster every year.
When publishing house presents 900
pounds of publishing matter, for instance,
the postmaster gives it a receipt for the
postage paid and cancels stamps amount
ing in full value to that amount. These
stamps are returned Cancelled to head
quarters in Washington.
A new issue of these stamps were or
had not been made since about 1875.
The collectors Of postage stamps are eager
for the stamps and always have been, and
so the stamps have been stolen and sold
to them. The face value Of the notes
is S204.57. The market price, it is said,
has been almost twice that much, so
that the thieves who have been stealing
them have been making small fortunes.
Ii is against one Of the statutes of the
United States to have these stamps in
ones possession, the supposition being nat
uraily that, as they are never for circula-
tion and not intended to leave the hands
of the authorities, the persons who have
them must necessarily have stolen them
Colman was taken before Commissioner
Shields.
The Day of Examination.
Postoffice Inspector Morris made an
affidavit that Colman had received these
stamps from one Randolph j. Albrecht
and that he had them in his possession in
violation of the United States laws. The
commissioner set his examination for next
wednesday and fixed his bail at $4,000.
He sent several messengers out looking for
bondsrnen.
stamps were his property and that he
could prove his innocence. The detec-
tives in this city said today that they knew
but little about the true nature Of the
story behind the arrest. They refused to
tell who Albrecht was.
Among other things found in Colman's
pockets were number envelopes bear
ing the imprint OF Burger & Co. dealers in
stamps, at No So Nassau street. Mr..
Burger said today this he did not know
Colman.
Colman has friends in this city From
what they say it appears that the stamps
found upon Colman were sold to Rudolph
F. AIbrecht, dealer in stamps, of 80
Nassau street, about three weeks ago,
by A. c. Townsend, philatelst, having
an office in the Loan and Trust building.
Washington, D. G. When Mr.. Albrecht
sought to dispose of the stamps inquiry as
to how he came by them was instituted
by the philatelic papers.
where did these stamps come from?
these papers asked It is against the law
for Albrecht to have them.'
Then MI. Albrecht took counsel with
himself and friends, and wrote to Town
send about the matter. The result was
that Colman came to this city to take
up the stamps sent, which he did, and
was arrested few moments after he
had received them from Mr.. Albrecht.
1.-THE stamps have absolutely no face
value, commercially said Mr.. Albrecht
today, 'for they are not intended to leave
the custody Of the postoffice people But
they are valuable to philatelists, and, ac-
cordIng to the series, bring large prices
Two or three hundred dollars for a set is
no unusual price,