New-York tribune., 1902-05-13
In FEAR OF THEIR LIVES
COLLECTORS LAY MURDER TO
SHARKS METHODS.
An ORGANIZATION FORMED. But THE
DEALERS BEAT THEM-WHOLE-
SALE ARRESTS PLANNED.

Further investigation Of the instalment bust
ess leads TO still more startling discoveries. 1t
yas hinted in The Tribune last week that the
geissberger murder was caused by the install
lent situation. An instalment collector who
allied at the Legal Aid Society yesterday de-
Jared that il was the general belief of the col
sctors, of whom Wessberger was one, that the
murdered man was the victim of the indignant
nd infuriated Italians. who singled out the col
sctor. supposing that he and not the dealer was
ne offender
II have myself" declared the collector. been
hased by these people. They are quick with
leir knives. and they do not stop to reason out
1at the agent is not responsible. but turn on
i'm and revenge themselves. The death of
Teissberger made a great sensation among
pllectors For long time We had been appre-
ensive of our safety. Going alone. as we did. to
oTne Of the worst parts of the Italian district
ealing with people who were naturally hot
ooded. and who had suffered from numberless
rongs and had every reason in the world for
Aekng. revenge, our lives were constantly in
anger
.'What happened 10 Weissberger, in my opin-
N. was simply this: He went to collect on
Ame contract, which had been changed in some
ay-any one Of hundred different instament
odges might have been played the Italian
no made the purchase. When Weissberger ap-
cared he had no knowledge Of the real situa-
on. He was told to go there and collect, and
: went. The Italian may have been waiting
T him; he might have had his friends there
so. When Weissberger came they attacked
m. In the struggle a knife came into play,
ID the agent was murdered. After that the
st is familiar. The body was mutilated
raped in a carpet, thrown in a trunk and
laIly discovered.
1.-THE agent in this case paid the penalty due
pt to him. but to his employer. The long suf-
ring. much abused Italians, who had been
bbed. terrorized assaulted by the representa-
yes of the instalment dealers got their chance
last and struck back
frOur lives had been hard enough without the
anger of being murdered. 1t was a hard
ruggle TO live a decent existence and do the
ork we had to- How deeply felt il you
n best tell by the effort made 70 protect
trselves. Convinced mat we could only exist
uniting, We formed an organization of the col
rtors. We lost the fight the dealers were too
rong for us, and i personally left the busi-
SIS altogether. But before we were beaten we
4 perfect organization"
The Legal Aid Society has obtained copy Of
circular issued by the organization Of col
Ftors referred to. This circular reads as fol-
US:
An Those Buying Goods on Instalments.
the poor working people VINO OWING 10 i tnelr
sents have lately become the victims of unscru-
'lous instalment dealers, who have made il their
tty 10 charge extremely eXorbitant prices and
I've their patrons an inhgman treatment; Sonse-
entity we, the employed agents and collectors
the instament line, being WOrkingmen. and sac
fzcng ourselves for a mere livelihood, have or
inized into union, for the purpose Of both to
aeliorate own deporable condition, as well
iI guard the interests Of customers against eX-
rting instalment companies.
We therefore appeal 10 you to morally aid US in
/; noble cause. You can help us by seeing that
-Br agent through whom you buy your goods Is
E ssesse9 with membership card, and this VIII
. a guarantee for fair treatment.
Z Demznd that your agreements be written In INK
f "
. All grievances OF customers against dealers Will
considered by the union. Respectfully,
SENTS AND COLLECTORS PROTECTIVE
UNION.
r C RingWalt of the Legal Aid Society, told
Tribune reporter yesterday that he had learned
Bm of the large instalment dealers that
eeting OF the instalment sharks had been held
q week, and at that meeting IL was proposed
at the dealers arrest all the people against
lom they had body executions. This would
san that several hundred prisoners would sud
My be deposited in Ludlow Street Jail. Then,
dealers believe the forces arrayed against
I'm would be terrified into inactivity.