The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-25
PICTURES OF MONEY.
Story of n Seizure by the Late CHIEF
Brooks From an Art Dealer.
From, the Nrau, vorl- Post

]
Brooks From an Art Dealer.
From the New York Post.
Washington. June 1s,-The seizure by
the secret service in Boston of another
money picture"-a painting representing
government notes Overlooking from a bar
rel-has brought up afresh the subject or
the scope Of our laws against counter
feiting. which are probably the most
sweeping of any in the world. The late
Chief Brooks of the treasury secret serv-
ice was the man who set the pace for
the service in the matter Of seizing pic
lures. His Interpretation of the law was
the most comprehensive possible. He was
an officer of very quiet methods, however,
and never permitted any theatrical ele-
ment to enter into his arrests or seiz-
ures If he could help it.. One incident is
recalled by former agent of the secret
service. which shows the difference OF
handling some of these affairs by other
means than bluff or buster:
MIR. Brooks" he said, had learned
that in a picture-shop on the upper floors
of a downtown business building in New
York, was an oil painting representing a
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES greenback, which came
within the statutory prohibition as he I'M
derstood it. He accordingly visited the
shop. Strolhng in with the air of Gu
riostty-seeker and possible customer. and
asked permission to look over the collec-
tton of pictures. The proprietor assented
very willingly, and went about with the
chief himself, so as to point out the feat
ures of special interest. Mr.. Brooks
seemed very much attracted by the green
back picture. At first he was really a lit
tie startled, for the artist had done his
work so thoroughly that it was hard to
believe that genuine note had not been
pasted upon the canvas. Examination
through magnifying-glass revealed the
brush marks and other evidences of artifi-
cially, however, and the dealer, believing
that he had found a purchaser, informed
his visitor thar the picture was for sale
at really very moderate price-only $50.
REALITY exclaimed Mr.. Brooks, I
think l shall have to take it, He reached
out his hand for the picture. So did the
dealer, who had no notion of parting with
the work till he knew where the money
was coming from. Shall I send it home
C. o. D.? he asked as he drew it toward
him as if to wrap it up.
No; l will not trouble you to send II
at ALL answered the chief, pulling It back
and putting it under his arm. I will carry
it myself I seize it under the laws of the
United States.
1.-THE chief was a man of some size and
brawnily built; the dealer was a little
man. but he was 1.-THE. Quick as flash
he had snatched the picture from Brooks
grasp and put it behind him, The chief
was so surprised at this turn of affairs
that he stoor still while the dealer backed
rapidly to a desk, lifted the lid, slipped
the picture in, closed and locked the lid,
and put the key in his pocket.
Hold on, there said the chief. My
name is Brooks. l am chief of the secret
service of the treasury department. Here
drawing back his coat, is my badge.
Give me that picture
a. That's nothing to me- answered the
dealer tartly; anybody can buy badge.
How am 1 to know that you are telling
the TRUTH?
That is a fact answered Brooks But
can easily prove my identity. There is
a man in the hat store on the ground
floor who knows me. Come down and
see
''They went down together, and as they
entered the hat store the proprietor, who
was near the door, stepped forward and
held out his hand, saying: How are you,
Brooks? What's brought you on from
Washington"
Brooks turned to the art dealer. is
that enough2 he asked.
az guess So said the dealer.
Well, then said Brooks, let's go back
and get the picture
Not yet answered the dealer. 1
think will keep it for my private gallery
at home.
Then Will search your premises and
seize it,.
mo, you won't-not without a war
rant
Brooks. who was a good-natured man,
was amused at the others pertinacity, and
remarked that they would let the matter
go over till tomorrow. The dealer was
as good as his word Overnight he car
ried the picture home and hung it on his
parlor wall. When Brooks called the next
day and learned what had been done, he
said: You are an honest fellow, l take
it You don't want to break the law. Let
read you the form of warrant that should
have to swear out If you forced me to it,
He drew from his pocket a printed blank
and read it aloud, with all Its references
to this section and that chapter of the
Revised Statutes. The dealer didn't seem
at all impressed
That's all very WELL said he. Now
produce your statutes and show me what
they actually say.
''Of course, Brooks could not do this.
The most he could do was 10 invite the
dealer to go with him to the district at
torney's Office and look at the statutes
for himself After that the dealer con-
scented that Brooks should go to his house
and take the picture, giving receipt for
it, with the promise that 1t should be
returned If the Attorney General at Wash
ington should decide that it did not fall
within the prohibited class of reproduc-
tons. OF course the picture never went
back. Brooks knew that it would not
when he took it,"
HMH a