The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-03
Governments Wise Move to End
Countsrfeiting in the West.
REoRoANlzEs WESTERN WORK.
sends George ". Hasen, one 81 the
Dest secret Services Men In the
Cesntry, t. seattle - Open Head
quarters for the New Dfvisien,
which Iseiaaes Washinstsa. Ore
gen, lAahe, Msntana ana Alaska.

A direct result Of the prominence into
which Seattle has come a. the Mecca OF
all prospective Alaska goId-seekers. and
the city's consequent increase in nonn,a-
tion ana Importance, is the creation by
secretary Of the Treasury Gage of new
District OF the United States secret sery-
Ice. comprising the states OF Washington.
Oyexon. Idaho and Montana. which has
been placed In charge OF George W. Haxen.
one OF the most efficient employees of the
service. with headquarters in this city.
Mr. Haxen arrived a few days ago and
now arranging for suitable Offices. His
plans have not get been definitely formu-
iafed. but ne thinks he win have prob
ably NE or six men constantly employed
In investigating and suppressing counter
letting in the new district under his dsrec-
ton. In establishing headquarters for the
new division Secretary Gage seriously con-
sadsred but two cities. Seattle and Port
land. and his selection of this city is a.
signal recognition OF Its growing CONNER
ciai Importance.
The new division will he termed the Se-
attic district. and has been formed by sub
division OF the Denver and San Francisco
districts, the former OF which Included
Montana and Idaho. and the latter Oregon
and Washington Heretofore all counter
telling investigations necessary i'm this
state have been made by detectives or
special secret service men sent out from
San Francisco. and all complaints regard
ing the circulation of eounterfeits were Of
necessity referred to the Headquarters in
taat city. Tie largely increased volume
o. money in circulation on Puget sound,
and especially in Seattle, since the Alaska
rush began rendered 1t almost impossible.
however, for the San Francisco headcuar-
tiers 10 attend speedily to all of the cases
reported from this section as requiring In
yestfgation. and for this reason Secretary
Gage made the subdivision indicated and
located the new district manager at Sc
attic
Mr. Hazen, the Seattle manager. has
been In the secret service for about six
years. and for about FIVE years held th,.
responsible position of chief OF the dis
irici OF New York. by far the most i'm
portant In the United States. He is
Democrat In politics, ard his retention BY
the government under the Mckinley adj
m;nistration is In Itself looked upon as a
sufficient proof of his ability. AS chief of
the New York district he was succeeded
by his brother. Capt. William F.. Hazcn.
l.
vision OF the treasury department under ex-
President Cleveland. and who was dis
placed by the present chief. John A.
Wiikie.
Mr.. Hazen Is fiEe-ieoking man. appar-
entity somewhere In his tiiirties and with
the quiet. reserved manner character
is;ic OF the governments confidential
agents and employees. He Is unmarried.
Yesterday he stated 10 a Post-Intelligencer
reporter that he had never been west OF
the Rocky mountains until sent out on
his present mission. He expressed HIM
self as greatly surprised at finding Seattle
a city % the size and Importance 1t is.
l'aiil he obtains other offices. Mr.. Hazen
Will make his headquarters at the ONCE
OF United States District Attorney Gay,
and will begin at once 10 receive and at
TEND 10 complaints OF eounterfeiting. His
stan. he says. will probably consist of five
or six men Mr.. Hazen further stated that
from his Office detectives would he sent
TO Alaska TO investigate reported counter
feitlng II occasion demanded. Alaska be-
ing virtually a part of the Seattle dis
trict
The Denver division Of the secret seryic~
IL now in charge OF James Walker. and
the San Francisco OF Fred A. Sprague,
who lately succeeded n. A. Harris