New-York tribune., 1903-07-25
SWINDLE HUNDREDS OF WOMEN.
THEY ARE TAKEN IN ALL OYER THE COUNTRY BY
CLEVER DETROIT SCHEMERS
Bogus National Society AdUeses for Local and Dunes
Those Who Reply oitb Worthless Checks

Hundreds Of credulous women I'm this city and
throughout the country have been taken in by
an ingenious swindle launched on a gigantic
scale and just run to cover in Detroit. Each
victim was mulcted to the extent of from SIS to
s25 the aggregating many thousands Of
dollars TO the swindlers. The fraud was perpe-
rated under the name of the National League
Of American Women. Incorporated" and the
victims were reached by means Of the following
advertisement, which appeared in several New
York newspapers on the first Sunday in June:
Lady mnder forty-fve) as local secretary of
woman's Society (nationaD; entire time re-
ouired at fair salary; reference necessary. Ap-
nlv. Enclosing addressed envelope, Mrs. Calvin,
y. " l., Detroit Mich
The women who answered this seductive ad-
vertisement and who appear to have been very
numerous. received replies on paper headed
"omce Of the President Detroit. Mich" and
bearing the following names: National officers
President. Mrs. Phoebe A. Calvin. Detroit; vice
president. Mrs. W. c. Palmer. Chicago; CORE
sponding secretary. Mrs. Alma V. Davis. New
York: financial secretary. Mrs. H. c. Brown.
New Orleans; treasurer, Mrs. Mary T. Orr, De-
trott
The letters read as follows:
Miss Blank
Dear Madam: Mrs. Calvin requests me to re-
ply 70 your letter and TO state that she views it
favorably
The duties Of local secretaries which are OUT
lined in the inclosed circular, include corre-
spending, organizing. visiting and the general
clerical work of the district The salary paId is
5000 year. payable monthly, with travelling
expenses when incurred The first trial engage
rent is for three months.
Your work would be directly in charge of the
president with whom you would be IN constant
touch and to whom weekly reports are made.
Where the district is large and growing rapidly
IN membership. an office is maintained, for
which an allowance is made. The work is pleas
ant and, Of course. in every respect that OF a
lady You would be expected to come to De-
troit II appointed, to receive full instructions
and study in the details of the work. Ihis
would require bout three days, and your eX-
penses are borne by the league
During the Worlds Fair. at st. Louis, in 1904,
YOU would be required to spend sixty days on
duty at the league building the duties there
being nominal
In answering, please state the locality in which
you are best acquainted. and also if you would
be able TO enter into the work at once If ap-
pointed. We are especially anxious to make
our Worlds Fair plans a success and the en-
thusiastic work Of the local secretaries Is doing
much toward this.
It is quite strange that we both should have
the same name. and ! shall be glad to do all
I can TO help my namesake. l know you would
Ike the work and I hope to meet you if you
come 10 Detroit. Wishing you success, yours
very truly. ADA s. BROMFIELD, Secretary.
P SIN answering, address Mrs. Calvin per
sonally. If possible, send your photo; returned,
Of course, if postage is sent
The paragraph OF this interesting document
referring 70 the similarity of names is particu-
larry worthy of note. Though the letters had
been run off by the thousands. the archplotter
was able to put a little personal touch into each
one by the simple eXpedient Of changing his or
her last name TO suit that of each victim.
No booklet was inclosed as stated in the COM
munication, an omission which appears to have
been carefully planned to make sure of a second
letter from the victim. who wrote to ask after
the missing circular as We'll as for other nfor-
nation. In reply 10 these inquiries the follow
ing letter was sent out:
June %. 1903.
Dear Miss: I have your letter, and find that
the circular booklet not sent you, the
supply had given out One Will be mailed you in
= day two The aims Of the league include
in brief woman's suffrage and the intellectual
advance of woman: national temperance; the
ameioration Of the condition Of women and
children in factories. and the support Of honest
candidates for national afflce.
The league is not very strong in your section,
and therefore anxious to secure an ear
nest and enthusiastic worker. The league is rap
idly becoming important power for good
throughout the land and TO extend this work the
board is appointing several new local secretaries.
Your duties would at first consist in circulating
letters and literature in your district answering
these. and when necessary, interviewing those
interested in the cause. 1t is impossible, or
course. to go into details by mail or in a letter,
and. as I think you have the right spirit and