The age-herald., 1899-05-25
MOVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
The Transfer of Tons of Silver to Philadel- phia's New Mint Tremendous Task
From the New York Herald.

From the New York Herald
 Philadelphia, Pa.-SiXty-eight millions of shining silver dollars are being transferred from vaults in the postoffice building and at the mint to a recently completed vault on the new mint site, at Sixteenth and Spring Garden streets. The work began on Tuesday, and as each of the three ex- press wagons used for the service carries $6O,Oo0 on a trip, ten trips being made daily, it will be at least three months before the task is completed. The treasure, which, 1t may be said, secures the issues of silver certificates, is sealed in a bag and then boxed, $1,000 in a box. Each box weighs sixty pounds, and it will thus be seen that the S6OOOO load placed upon a wagon is no small burden. The weight of the metal alone Is safeguard against robbery, but as much care is being taken to prevent a possible substitution of bogus boxes as though gold currency was at stake.
 Of the sixty-eight million dollars about twenty million dollars has been secreted in a vault at the postoffice building, and the tranfer of this portion was first under taken. When 1t shall be completed the work of removing the other forty-eight million dollars from the mint proper will be started. The wagons employed are of the "cage" variety and, in addition to two eXpressmen, a representative of the gov ernment rides with every load It is need less to say that this trio are armed, and 1t Is also unnecessary to state that they do not carry revolvers for the mere purpose of appearing bod-the pistols will be used in decisive manner if any person shall be so unwise as to attempt to get away with one of the sixty pound boxes.
 'The weapons have been given the men for use," says General Agent Rust, of the express company, 'and not for pocket charms" Representatives of the mint bureau are at the respective vaults, and every box-$1,O0O worth-is accounted for before it is finally stored away. The sys- tenn employed is perfect, and is similar to that always used when immense sums of money are in transit. Every person who is entrusted with the care of the precious burden gives receipt to the one from whom he receives tho money, but in this case but two receipts are necessary. Former Coiner William s. Steel, of the mint, and John Harris, who are the gov ernment attaches at the point of removal, supervise the loading of every wagon, and they are given a receipt by the employees of the express company. Upon arrival at the new vault, and when the dollars are in their final resting place, A. w. Bomberger, who represents Superintendent of the Mint Henry K. Boyer, in turn gives an &C., Acknowledgement to the previous custodian.
 The plan is simple but effective, and the elements of danger surrounding the trans fer small as to make them unworthy of consideration. The mint bureau, how ever, will not even run partial risk, and, in order to absolutely safeguard the money, a corps of detectives, secret ser vice men probably, patrol the thorough fares through which the silver laden wa gons pass. The vehicle is in sight of these guardians from the time it leaves one vault until the destination is reached. Should an axle break or some other acci- dent befall the wagon, the detectives would surround it in less time than it takes to narrate the possible incident Mir Bomber ger is aided in receiving the silver at the new vault by William E. Morgan, an old mint bureau official.
 The steel receptacle which is receiving the coin is perhaps, the most complete vault in the country. It is so massive that when one enters the interior he imagines he is in a jail. There are twenty-six com- partments, and each has a separate lock on the stout iron doors. Four millions of the silver Is being placed in each compart- ment and seventeen of them will there- fore be utilized for this purpose The nine remaining "cells'' will probably be used for the storage of gold and silver bullion and gold currency.