The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-12-21
A LOANlNC COMPANY
Which Government Officials De.
clare Is a Swindling Game.
INSPECTOR SHOWS STATEMENT

DeclnIes That Ropers se"e"e "'
Roping In Was Far and Away Bet-
ter Than Millcr's Franklin syndi-
cate-Even Lawyers Tak en- In.
Newark, N. j.. Dec. 12.-osmer w.
Roper, of this city, was arrested yes
terday by United States Marshal Gar
side, Postoffice Inspector w. b. Snow
and several deputies and committed
to Jail in default Of $4,000 bonds.
The charge was based upon an al
legation that he was using the mails
for swindling purposes. The authors
ties claim that his scheme was far
and away better than Miller's Franklin
syndicate, in that he took in plenty OF
money and seldom or never paid out
any except for running expenses. They
have so complaints drawn up against
him. and say so more are filed. ana
that they can get thousands OF them
II needs be. The swindle, as they say
It was, has been in operation for three
years. Roper's business required a
large force of clerks, stenographers
and typewriters. and he did an enor-
nous mail business.
i
Corporation company Of New Jersey.
the Realty Loan and Trust Fund com
pany, the Realty Loan and Title com
pany and the Four Per Cent Mort
gage company. The authorities say
the companies existed only on paper,
, although regularly Incorporated, and
that in each Roper was the only per-
son concerned.
Inspector Snow says that Roper's
scheme was alluring, and that his VIC
tins are in every state in the nation
and embrace all classes. He says that
, even churches and lawyers have been
: taken in by Roper.
According to the inspector who has
had personal charge of investigating
i Ropers affairs, the four concerns were
I worked in pairs. The inspector say'
the Realty Corporation company sen
out alluring circulars all over th'
country. The stationery was most elab
crate, and so gotten up as to deceive
even business men. The body of eacl
: circular stated that the company wa
Il In a position to obtain for any perso'
n with property loan of any amount o
s money at per cent, or even less
), When persons applied for loans the
n were required to send fee OF $40 t
:, cover appraisement costs. Then
was necessary to furnish a certiacat
!! of search from the Realty Land an
le Title Fund, which would cost $40 I
II $50 more, and then the loan would b
r. approved.
s. Then the victim would be informe
ls that this money was put up at auctio
4, and loaned to the highest bidder. an
n more cash was demanded with hebidl
=, After the passing of the date whe
~ the sale OF the money was suppose
'' to take place the victim received
10 note. The company was sorry. bu
Is he had been outbid by others. an
OF every dollar sold had been dispose
OF Of at q better rate than he had onere'
- The name or names OF those who wer
h. supposed to have bought the none
;, were given. The company would hol
. the percentage paid in and bid tn
same rate again unless the customt
!" wished to increase the amount b
r. would bid, in which event enoug
ne money to make up the additional
Is DER cent OF the whole must be To-
10 warded. Usually this brought in son
h. more money.
&c. This went on month after mont
hs until the victim made a demand II
:. the return OF his money. He the
III received blanks. which he had to fl
en- out. He would not get the fees bac
nj but a percentage OF the per cent d
posit would be returned, usually 10,
It. or 20 per cent. at the expiration OF
M months, from the receipt Of the blanl
nd and 30 on.
~ The inspectors say the application
-. ~ for loans ran into the thousands. al
ie that the profits to the prisoner ha'
&C. been very great.