Evening journal., 1901-10-01
NAIL STOPPED
BY AUTHORITIES
Mutual Fidelity Company Of
Delaware Under Ban
GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION
II Is COntendCd That The Concern
Has Obtained Money by False
PrCtenSCS

From present indications, the Mutual
Fidelity Company Of Delaware has had
a clash with the postal authorities in
Washington, which has resulted in tho
stopping of mai. addressed to it in this
city.
Postmaster Hugh c. Browne today
received a communication from the
postal authorities directing him to
hold all mail matter and refuse pay
ment on money orders addressed to the
Mutual Fidelity Company of Delaware;
to J. B. Hull. cashier; J. B. HUI, audi
tor. or J. B. Hull, secretary of the
company. The reason given for such
action is that the company has used
the mails for the purpose of conducting
scheme for awarding prizes by lot
terry or chance, and of obtaining money
through the mails by false and fraudu-
lent pretenses, representations and
promises in violation of an act of Con
gress relating to lotteries. The Post
master was also instructed to return
all such mail to the office from which
it was sent. and mark each letter,
package or parcel fraudulent.
From what could be learned, repre-
jsentatives Of the Mutual Fidelity Com
pany of Delaware early in January
last rented rooms in the Equitable
Building for the purpose of conducting
business. The parties are alleged to
have said that they represented a
| Maryland concern. which had had
trouble with the Government authOri-
ties in Baltimore. and desired to re-
sumo operations in Wilmington, After
occupying the rooms until March S
they were given up and the parties left
suddenly for Norfolk.
MR.. HULL MAKES STATEMENT
When seen this morning. J. B. Hull
who is now at the Hotel Wilmington,
was not surprised TO learn of the ac-
tion of the postag authorities, although
he contended that the business Of the
concern was legitimats and would
stand close scrutiny. In conversation,
Mr.. Hull said that the concern of
which J. S. Monsell is president, is
purely an investment enterprise, such
as is conducted throughout the cOun-
TRY. When the original idea was con-
ceived a charter was obtained from the
State of Maryland and offices were
opened in Baltimore There some
trouble was experienced with the pos
tai authorities. and the scheme was
dropped. In order to operate on a
lhroader line a charter was obtained in
Dover about two years ago, through the
efforts of Josiah Marvel, and the COM
pany opened temporary offices i'm viii
mington until a permanent locality
could be determined upon. AS most OF
the business of the concern was con-
Quoted in the South. it was finally de-
cided to locate in Norfolk. where tho
general offices are now situated. and
where all information concerning the
workings of the concern can be OBJ
ltained.
Mr.. Hull also said that since his
connection with the company, and hC
lis but an agent and holds no office, he
has never used the mails for transmits
sion Of business. but has sent and re
lceived all matter by the express com
lpany. Mr.. Hull also intimated that his
private mail matter lis being interfereJ
with. as some time ago he Forwarded
a draft to certain parties and it has
never been received. For all infOrma'
ton on the subject Mr.. Hull refers in
quiries TO Mr.. Monsell, in Norfolk.