The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-07-16
The shys,sr ana Tn. Law.

There are various methods by which
the inscriptions fakirs who infest the
produce trade succeed in swindling
country shippers and still keep them
selves out of the clutches OF the law,
says the New York Produce Review.
The old way was to get up attractive
ana often expensive and high-toned
stationery, posing as commission mer-
chants, quoting prices for produce
higher than could be obtained, and
guaranteeing phenomenal results based
upon claims Of exceptional facilities.
Prompt returns would be made for the
nrst few shipments, then there would
come great praise of the goods, and
calls for larger quantities; then slower
returns until enough goods were in the
hands OF the frauds TO make a good
sized haul; then general selling out,
pocketing the proceeds and a fly by
night to other fields where the same
operation would be gone through I'M
der another name.
But this was risky business because
the laws referring to commission sales
are likely to be effective and failure to
make proper return may result in ar
rest, criminal prosecution and perhaps
imprisonment. The new way is safer.
Inc snide does not pose as a commits
sion merchant but simply offers to buy
produce either on track at shipping
station or delivered in the city where
ne locates. He quotes high prices, cash
payment, mo commission" and, as a
DAFT to get goods, generally says why
pay commission for selling your goods
when you can sell them to US for the
highest market prices without any de-
duction except for freight"
This is attractive bait and there are
usually many to bite the hook. A trial
shipment is made, and back come the
returns as prompt and as satisfactory
as possible. Other shipments may be
paid for promptly also and as soon as
the shippers misplaced confidence is
won he is entreated to make larger
shipments. Then payment begins to
fall behind, but excuses are made until
the Indebtedness is as large as pos
sible; perhaps notes are given to coax
along further shipments, but before
the notes become due the house fails
Now as this scheme is worked on q
large number of shippers at once-as
many as can be caught with the bait
used-the total stealings may amount
to good many thousand dollars and
the creditors have no redress unless
they can get positive proof Of fraud
which is a most difficult matter. AND
as they can't squeeze water out of {
dry sponge and few of them would pur
sue the criminals merely for vengeanci
sake, with no hope of getting bacl
their property or it's value, the rogue
escape, probably only to start up again
under some different name and do tn
trick over again.
The basis of success in these nefari
Gus operations is the lack of confidenc
with which many shippers regard tn
commission trade. There are man,
offer as merely the sign of honesty an
integrity; they seem to think the com
mission man gets too much out of thei
goods and when a man comes alon
who says he will pay top prices n
commission" the country shippe
seems to say to himself here at las
is an honest man" Then he bites th
bait and gets left
1t is best to realize that service i
selling goods-as in other perform
ances-cannot be had for nothing
There are many honorable merchant
ready to receive consignments OF proc
uce and obtain their full value, I
whom shipments may be entruste
with the utmost confidence. Whe
strangers come with offers to do bettt
it is safe to suspect fraud until til
most careful investigation proves ii
contrary.