New-York tribune., 1902-04-16
THE SHARKS KEEP IT UP,
MORE OUTRAGES BY install
lMENT MEN.
A MAN DRAGGED OUT OF HIS SfCKBED
AND THE LIFE OF AN ILL WOMAN
JEOPARDIZED.
IT OF HIS SfCKRFD

JEORARDlLED.
New evidences of the outrageous practices OF
the instaIment dealers come to light Yester
day an entirely and important set were
brought to the attention of The Tribune by AC.
Kenyon. Yale graduate. who is fighting the
cause Of the Italians in connection with t1ino
Speranza. Of the italian Emigrant Protective
Society. The cases Mr.. Kenyon has discovered
contain some Of the most fragrant and out
rageous circumstances that have yet been IN
earthed. People have been dragged from their
beds at midnight. confined in instalment dealers
Offices intimidated into paying sums they did
not owe for goods they never bought Only
the inspection of the affidavits and the testi-
mony M Kenyon gives Of his own personal ex-
perience would make it credible that such things
could exist in this city.
The first case described by Mr.. Kenyon was
that of Michael Rossi, a workingman who lives
at No 81 Nevins-st., Brooklyn. At a. m on
March city marshal accompanied by a num-
Der of men, broke down the door Of his house
and entered Rossis wife, who in deli
cate condition was so terrified that she was
seized with commissions, and at last accounts her
life was in serious danger.
We've got an execution against your body
said the marshal. land unless you pay US Si2
you've got to go to jail
Terrified by the suferings of his WIFE ard
unable in any way to protect himself. Rossi paid
the money, 500 for judgment and SIT for costs.
and the men went away.
Mr. Kenyon declared to Tribune reporter
Yesterday that the man admitted that he had
bought chain and watch. but that the col
Iector had never called upon him for payment.
and at the time his house was broken into by
the posse the bill showing the contract and the
names of the dealers was taken. and the man
does not know of whom he bought the goods.
Moreover a search of the records fails TO dis
close any record of Judgment against Rossi
Mr. Kenyon concludes. therefore, that this was
simply a case of intimidation, pure and simple
While Mr. Kenyon relating the facts In
the Rossi case there was stir In the front
office, and clerk rushed in to announce that
stiu another fnstaiment case had been brought
in.
ONLY ST LEFT TO PAY.
Opening the envelope which was handed him.
MIR KENYON disclosed dirty and faded con-
tract, which showed that Capparo Antonio had
purchased a chain, valued at 81, and agreed TO
pay for the same in weekly instalments Of 81.
ON the hack OF the contract were recorded the
payments made by Capparo- They amounted to
SIT. in addition to the 81 paid down, leaving a
balance of 81 to be paid
He man., explained tne IEleHO WHo
brourht in the case. "Instalment collector come
to him and ask money He give him ST. then
the dealer no give receipt Capparo he have
wife and four small children. By'm by he take
sick and lie in bed. Then night bout 10
O'Clock come five men and knock on the door.
Capparo he in bed. able to get up. some
one let them in; they go to his bed an say:
You pay US SO or you go to Jail
What for / pay you S10?' he asks.
Then they show him papers and tell him it
is about the chain. Capparo he say that he no
owe nothin. and he no pay Then they drag him
out of bed. and take him off to JAIL and leave
his wife and four small children alone Fore
he go TO Jail they call in a policeman. and he
say:
"'Capparo. you a good man. you better pay
an not go to Jail But he say. NO. don't owe
it, an III go to Jail first
Then he has to pay SIG to get out Of jail. an
there is the contract showing that he not owe
nothin
Another example furnished by Mr.. Kenyon
was the case of Salvatano Liccione. Liceiones
wife purchased some goods of an instalment
dealer wholly without her husbands knowledge.
Some time later marshal came to Lcciones
house and demanded a settlement
II never bought any goods of the dealer,
declared Liccione.
well, if you don't sign this paper I'll take
you to jail" said the marshal. pushing what
was later identified as a contract which was
made out to him and acknowledged the receipt
of the goods to LCCiOne. -,,
If l sign 1T, will you let me OFF," inquired
Liccfone.
Yes you just put your mark there, ana u
will be all right" said the marshal Ihereupon
Liccione made his cross upon the contract WHICH
made him responsible for the goods
We'll. after all. 1 guess you will have 20
come with me-" said the marshal, aIter tAo
paper had been signed. and Liccione was TAKEN
off to Jail
APPEALED FOR HIS WIFE.
j B. EngeI, of EngeI. Engel & Oppenhelmer'
had another story of the methods OF the mar
shaIs TO relate Yesterday. His story was as 1oi-
lows: A Brooklyn man bought some goods 'l
an instalment dealer Some time later paEty
of men came to his house one night ana IoIcsu
an entrance So great was the disturbance tl0
entrance caused that the mans WlIe pecaHe
terrified and fell on the HOor, Sel%eu "''A 49,
vGlsionS IF. 90, .bs
can YOU not take pity on my poor VIE 'A
man said. appealingly. ,,,vd
.Oh go on said the leader of the crown; crow;
I'VE are used to that game; you can loci O'
With that they took the man TO JAN. -.r
Giovanni BranChi. the italian consu seHe-'
was seen by Tribune reporter YESTERDAY.
Its very old grievance OF ours thls Iu9 tsa1
r,ent case said he. We have had a great go
of trouble over il before But what can we u5
Our people are so ignorant of the language d. a.
the law that they sign papers that put 'N01i
into the power of the sharks. - -, .,a
The bill providing for the recodincatlol u ,sI-
Municipal Court procedure iE this city ana "a.
ing more stringent regulations on the clly INC. INC
shaIs which was accepted on April II by Mayor