The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-23

PHILADELPHIA, July 23.-The capture
a. a gang Of counterfeitzrs is the hoped
fer result of the arrest on Saturday night
Of J. C. Holman by Secret Service Ope--
alive Burns. in charge of the Phladell hia
Office, ard Operatives Griffin and Peak
These counterfeiters are believed to have
systematically circulated hundreds and
probaly thousands OF bogus 5G-cent pieces
in this city and nearby places of this
State. New Jersey, and Delaware, COM
plants about which have been pouring
Into the Secret Service Office for several
months past.
The hunt for the source of the counter
feits led to Hoffman, who for a week
past has resided at 11G2 Vine Street, and
be vas Swallowed by the officers for sew
eral days. in the hope that confedeTates
might be found On Saturday night, how
ever. he offered in payment for some ar
ticIes purchased at store close to where
be resided a half-dollar that was que=ti-n-
ed Then the Secret Service men decided
to arrest him.
Operative Burns stated yesterday that
Immediately upon his arrest Hoffman
confessed that he had been making ard
passing the bad money, and took tie
officers 10 his room. where he pointed
out Two cushions. between which mod
and other pSr9pheTnalia were found. In
the room there were also found over a
dozen OF the spurious coins. The p.is-
oner is alleged TO have stated that he was
a steel engraver by trade. When again
questioned yesterday, however, hoffman
denied that ne had made such adm:ss.o Is
and that he had shown where the mold
was found. lie said that the paTapleTra-
liza found in his room must have belonged
to a former occupant. Hoffman also said
he was not an eng:aver Ct any kind.
Mr.. Burns is not worried over the case
he has against Hoffman and explains
his story by stating that the man confessed
On the SpU- Of the moment when caught in
the act. and reconsidered his action over
night. prob2bl. in the hope Of saving those
whom the officers feel sure are implicated
with him.
The gang are believed to have operated
under a gigantic scheme Of circulating
counterfeits and are thought to have for
merly operated somewhere else. having
come to this city about a week ago. They
are believed 10 have come here with
large lot Of coins made and 70 have put
them into circulation as carefully as pos
sible. The counterfeit is one Of the most
dangerous OF the character that ever leme
TO the notice Of the Secret Service men.
II is a composition OF lead, zinc silver and
other compounds unknown. and the die
work is almost perfect The coin is a lit
tie Eghter-in weight than the genuine
piece. but the degree OF difference is 50
small that the bogus coir is very hard for
even experts to distinguish.
At the house where Hoffman rented a
room he IS said 20 have had one or two
men visitors. but his actions did not ex-
cite sEs.iciou.
An important point in the mind Of the
Secret Service officers is that when HoT-
man engaged the room he insisted upon
having small stove placed in L. stating
that he INTENDED to do light cooking. II
has been learned that he Cd CCt cook OF
the stove. and IL is not believed that ne
had melted any metal in il. either. the
officers cCnteudirg that that part Of the
operation had EJL been CCmmCG-el in the
new quarters
Strong Efforts are being made @, find tho
supposed cOufedsratCs Of Hoffman. esge-
cially cIe man whom Hoffman is said 20
have admitted was with him in the Vine
Street room on Thursday last The nan
has mysteTi0usly disappeared. ami Is
thought 10 be out. the same as four or I'VE
Others, circulating the counterfeit pieces.
Not much is known Of Hoffman as vet lie
a first claimed 20 be emp!-yc! at Cramps
shipy5sd. and Yesterday, when he denied h
knew anything about engraving, he said he
had not been employed at Cramps for
three years. At the Vine Street house Il
was stated that Hoffman had declared sew
eral times that he Was d steel elgr2ve-.
The prisoner, who viii be given a hear
ing before the Until States Commission
er in the PostoficeBmlClug tcIly. is an
Intelligent. Wel,-dreszel. CoOi-l-0Sing man
about tweuty-four years old.