Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-04
Chief WILKES Comments.

- ~ N44-N4itS anu were pau DN IntIn-
Chief Wilkes Comments.
Commenting upon the years work Chief
Wilkie says:
OI the hfteen new counterfeit notes which
made their appearance during the year
there were but two which could be consid-
cred dangerous. and of these less than half
dozen have been circulated the makers
having been discouraged by the prompt dis
cOVery and wide publication of the imper-
fectlons Of the notes OF the remaining
thirteen, five Photographic cOunterfeits Were
the work OF one man. whose speedy arrest
and conviction put end to their circula-
ton Two of the remaining eight were
photographic notes, produced by an italian
and circulated by gang of his country
men. chiefly in the east. The maker and
more than score of dealers and pasSerS
were arrested and convicted. The other
six were of such inferior workmanship as
TO insure immediate detection and there
fore had limited circulation.
The use of the advertising ''sticker'' on
coins, referred to in last years report has
been practically suppressed and the active
campaign against advertising matter in the
form of limitations of United States obliga-
tons has resulted in the practical aban-
donment of this feature of so-called nov
city Advertising" This is indicated in the
comparative table plates captured. OF the
ia plates cOnfiscated during the previous
fiscal year, 49, were for these advertising
notes. This year. out Of a total of 2T1 cap
tured plates. there were but 123 for adver-
Using purposes. The remainder of this
years plates, 14S. included some of the
finest steel and copper work ever turned out
by the counterfeiting fraternity.
Plates and Paper Captured
1t Is a source of much qualification to be
able to report that the makers and han
dlers Of the counterfeit one hundred dol
lar Monroe head silver certificate which
made It's appearance during the previous
fiscal year, have been arrested, have ex-
pressed a determination to plead guilty
and will be sentenced before the close of
the calendar year. In the course of this
investigation the division discovered a
counterfeit internal revenue stamp which
had been extensively used for two years
without detection The plates for these
stamps, for the Monroe head" one hun
bred dollar silI CT certificate. for a Lincoln
head one hundred dollar legal tender note
Tor nifty dollar 'EV erett head silver GER
uhcate- for twenty dollar Manning
bead silver certificate and for ten dollar
Sheridan head treasury note, We're cap
tured. together with some nine tons Of
paper hearing the distinctive water mark
OF the lnterna! revenue bureau, and large
number Of the spurious stamps silk fiber
and machinery for the manufacture of
imitation United States distinctive paDer
w lille this investigation was nearing its
close deliberate attempt was made to
bride Operative W. j. McManus of the
Fhiiadei phia district Of this service, but
THANKS I" the honesty and loyalty Of this
officer the object sought to be ACCOMPLISH
ed failed Two arrests were made in con-
nectlon With this phase of the case in
documents were returned. and the accused,
under heavy bonds. now await trial
The case as a whole was one of the most
important that has fallen to the secret ser
vice division To investigate. and that il was
Drought 10 a successful conclusion without
the escape Of single member of the gang
anu with the capture Of all the plates and
outfit, reflects the highest credit upon the
members of the division concerned In the
investigation. To Operative W. j. Burns
WHO was most active in the unearthing of
me Stheme, special credit is given. and to
operatives John f. Murphy and NJ F.
1rliln and Assistant Thomas r. McManus
hearty commentator is extended for their
snare in the years arduous work
Among the more important achievements
OF the year was the arrest and conviction
OF me Johnson brothers at Detroit. and the
recovery OF the plates for the dangerous
Hancock and Window heads two dollar
silver certificates. which had been a source
OF annoyance to the government and public
Tor many years.
Dangerous silver Dollar Counterfett..
Two dangerous counterfeits Of the stand
ara silver dollar, made of genuine silver
are IN circulation In some parts of the conn
Try A number OF these coins forfeited IN
the United States under the law, have been
disposed Of according to your Instructions
and the proceeds will be covered into the
treasury.
On December =. 1888. in accordance with
inventories or contrabdnd property which
had accumulated in this office and destroy
ca the property by maceration, burning or
melting. according 20 the character of the
material This included IS, 52T - in notes
s-''>'',.Si IN coin. a great quantity of
hash notes and several tons of molds
dies. plates. tools, etc.
Ihe increased appropriation made by
congress Tor the fiscal year Just closed
eI-a14eu TINS DIVISION to meet the expenses
incident TO the investigation of the PhiIa
oeiphla case without hampering It in 9th
er directions Several new districts
were established, and the force in
creased at points where it seemed neces
sary to do so. An agent of the service
spent some time in Cuba and Porto Rico
after their occupation by the United States
troops, but found little counterfeitin.
there Complaints have reached her ~
more or less extensive counterfeiting in
Hawaii and the Philippines and II will
PROBABLY become necessary to establish
districts IN both places as soon as condi-
tons permit.
.