The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-31

ihlitt Ana INV oN34 iif tie hufteg oil
breaking "a PructIce From " hich
Persons Ont bT .NVorI, suffer
Some Licenses Nay BE Revoked.
Within the past few days the local po-
lice authorities have received numerous
complaints concerning the operations Of
alleged employment agencies. II is charg-
cd that there are ia this city a number Of
persons engaged in pretending TO secure
employment for persons who pay certain
sums of money upon the understanding
that the agencies are TO provide the APP
pIicauts with work, whereas in reality the
agents make no efforts 10 find employment,
but secure money from the unemployed
by fraudulent or deceptive pretenses-
Many compliments have called N person
al Police Headquarters 10 pour their tales
of woe into the ears Of the sympathiZius
officers and others have sent in written
complaints. Among those that were re-
coived yesterday was one from John
Thomas. of 40 Twelfth Street. who says
Pasted on this sheet OF paper are two
advertisements which are two Of the most
outrageous frauds that have been allow
ed iu This city robDiug poor women and
girls every day in the week by taking
their money under the promise 20 get
them places. In no case have they kept
their word. Why DO you allow such scan
dals as this to exist in your city,
Another letter just received at Police
Headquarters is from John H. Indy, Of
i Grant Place. who writes:
-'WHl you kindly inform me whether or
not there is a law 10 protect the poor UNI
employed from being swindle1 out of the
few cents they may have2"
The police appear to have been helpless
in the matter, although their sympathies
are repeatedly appealed 10 by such un-
fortunate victims, who are invariably the
unemployed poor
The plan generally followed by the
agency is a very simple one, but its sue
cess usually depends largely upon discreet
and liberal advertising. Discreet because
it is necessary to make the advertisement
as aIuring as possible without directing
suspicion as to it's genuineness. 1t usu-
ally reads something ike this:
'.Wauted-A bright young man for spe-
cial duty. No experience necessary Sal
airy 20 start $50 a week with opportunity
Of advancement
The young person who is seeking EN-
pIoyment naturally thinks that an op-
portunity for him and applies at the ad-
dress given. where he Is informed that
there is such a position open and that
whether he IS able 10 secure it OF not de-
ponds largely upon himself. He naturally
thinks that he is az capable as anyone
else, and willingly DEPOSITS the g or more.
which is the advanGe, fee required by the
. agent for his services r
The applicant Is required 10 sign sew
eral papers. one Of which also contains
[ The signature of the agent under a re-
ceipt FOR the money. and he naturally
thinks that having receipt for the
/ money everything Is ss5sfa Glory He IS
then given The address u the person who
has the lucrative position 20 dispose Of. -
and starts out with hs heart full of hope
( as 10 the future. He t1svrfIly finds that the
position has been filed Several weeks be-
/ fore. and that since then probably several
| hundred victims besides himself have been
! annoying the supposed Employer. He re-
turns TO the employment Office and Droba-
/ bly, is quiet8d By being given several other
; addresses 70 visit --f- p -'l
In this way the applicant for work IS
( kept occupied for several days. 50 that he
/ win not nave the opportunity 70 think too
seriously about the matter. Al last he
/ realizes that he has been swindled, and.
going 10 the agent, demands his money
J back. as the place has not been secured
3 Tor him. Inc agent ldhenS IN MS Lt't
and informs the unemployed one that he
I has never agreed 20 secure a position Tor
him and that the money was paid for
[ such advertising and postage expenses as
J the agent might be pUt 10 in the interests
Of his client during the period OF Two
months. II was In no way a cOmpeuSa-
I tiGu for the services Of tne agent. and re-
I IeTriug To the agreement that the uuSLS-
peCtiug seeker after employment had
I signed. sUpposing IL 10 be in due form. ne
! is shown that the agent $ recOmpenSe Is TO
I be- a certain proportion Of the salary Of
the unfortunate after position had been
( secured for him
In his despair the unfortunate man,
7 who has probably exhausted every re-
source in his eudaavor To- secure employ
meut applies to The police and pr1du-@s
his receipt Tor the money paid 10 she
agent hut this receipt Is the buIws *
that sta uds between the alleged sWiudlsr
ard justice. II Acknowledges the receipt
Of tie money. but distinctly states tr4t
10 is only "A registration fee % cover such
expenses as the agent may be- put 10 and
is I'm no way payment for the services
OF the agent, who gures 20 exert HIM
self for two mOn-hs 10 secure P.ar. for
the client but Who I'm no way binds im-
self 20 secure "A position for the applicant
The police have frequently Jrlyd t1 make
cases against these aIeg q rmDl bynlslJ
agencies. but the INGENIOUS wording OF
the printed agreements mas invariably Of
tersd la"phole for the escape OF often
ders.
An effort is to be made 20 deprive
agents that are known 20 carry on such
! a business Of their licenses. this being the
only way IN which they can De reached
I under the law