New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-26

Brooklyn at the absolute failure Of the Brooklyn
Police and Detective departments TO protect the
interests Of the unwary. There is a growing
suspicion that there is more than mere incompe-
tency at the bottom OF IT all. There is growing
suspicion that certain well known police officials
were perfectly well aware of Miler's transac-
tons in Floyd-st., and that he used old fashioned
Tammany Hall methods in keeping on the sunny
side of the Police Department For eight months
the Franklin Syndicate has been doing business
in Foyd-st. close TO the Vernon ave. police sta
ton, Of which Captain Lees is the commanding
officer. For months the dupes Of the syndicate
have been going in droves 10 No. IA Floyd-st.,
and the police have calmly watched the growth
OF one Of the most transparent schemes for get
ting the money OF the ignorant devised during
the last decade. The methods OF the syndicate
were common talk among the grocers, butchers,
small tradesmen and laboring men and women
OF the Eastern District Of Brooklyn for months
before the syndicate attracted general attention
There is a suspicion that Miller was INFORMED
Of his danger Of arrest on Friday afternoon by
some one holding confidential relations with the
Police Department. Miller left the syndicate
headquarters half hour after an indictment
was found against him in the Grand Jury room
in the County Court House. He lost no time In
getting TO Manhattan. The question now Is,
Why did ne start just at that time? II Is believed
he tipped OFF, by some one close 10 the
police, otherwise he would not have escaped.
LETTERS SHOW VOLUME OF OPERATIONS.
Some idea of the enormous volume Of business
done within the walls OF the little wooden build
ing in Floyd-st. may be obtained from the re-
ceipt Of letters addressed to the Franklin Syndi-
cate yesterday at Station A. in Graham-ave
where they are being held on the order Of Post
master Wilson.
up to nightfall to-day there had been re-
ceived at Station A alone two thousand letters
for the Franklin Syndicate. the greater number
Of IL oOrfa I'm
master Wilson 10 a Tribune reporter last night
They keep pouring in on us from all parts or
the country. and some are from Germany. To-
day | received between nifty and one hundred
kilograms directing that such and such letters
containing money and addressed to the Franklin
Syndicate be held or sent back to the senders
zone day this week" continued Mr.. Wilson, "a
request came from Mers concern to send them
800 worth OF stamped envelopes. clerk was
sent with the envelopes and he was paid by
some one in the basement Of the concern The
messenger then was directed 10 take the enve
lopes upstairs and he complied. When he got
upstairs one of the men said
"'TIow much are they?
-Four hundred dollars worth said the mes
senger.
Well here's the money said the syndicate
man. showing his hands into a basketful Of bills
and picking out enough to make up the sum.
u was paid downstairs said the messenger.
We'll you're q blankety fool not 10 take
S4O0 when it's showed at you. No one would
ever know the difference. We've got money to
ION another occasion" said Mr.. Wilson. "a
man I heard about put in 5000 drew out $40
in dividends at the rate Of $50 week. and then
drew out the original $500, knowing that there
would be a collapse before long. For three
weeks after he had withdrawn the original in
vestment he drew regularly SO a week. There
is no telling how much Miller got out or town
with. The receipts at his Office must have been
something enormous We shall hold all mail
matter addressed TO the syndicate on the order
Of the Department at Washington ana IL VIII
not be turned over 10 the police or any one else
until the Department takes action.
The secret Of the phenomenal growth OF the
business transacted by Mtller's concern was the
fact that each subscriber who brought new
customer into the syndicate's counting room re-
ceived a liberal commission. The newcomer was
always welcomed with open arms and informed
fully Of the method Of doing business and the
wonderful opportunities Of the syndicate for
making money.
one of the women in front Of the syndicate
building Yesterday had a pale face ana
troubled look She said she and her mother ana
sister had 81 900 invested in the company ana
that it was all the money they had. We've
boen saving and scrapng the dollars together
for wears and every one said this was so safe,
said she.
The cashier OF Wells. Fargo & Co.'S bank yes
terday declined 10 say whether or not Miller
had deposited 500 600 with the bank, or whether
he was a depositor at all.