The Washington times., 1903-02-18
SHREND GAME PLAYED
ON PROMINENT MEN
Cartoons IS a Means tOI
EXtort Money.
WERE ADVERTISED FOR SALE
Offers Then Made to Interested Parties
to Buy Them Privately at
ExOTbitant Prices.

In every large city throughout the
United States. there is a certain class
OF sharp, shrewd business men. possess
Ing keen intellect and surprising bold
ness who amass fabulous sums Of money
every year in questionable manner. al
though Haunting their schemes in the
face Of the police
But fine distinction is drawn between
the methods OF these operations and
those OF actual swindlcrs. so that they
are not liable to arrest. And they CON
duct their operations with daring. while
the detectives fume and fret
Washington is not exempt from a pro-
portiOnate quota of such men. who can
be characterized only as the opponents
Of clever business dealings. Indeed the
city has had more than an average share
this year. as the records Of the Police
Department for the past twelve months
viii show.
On more than one occasion. the detec-
tives have worked with great vigor on a
case. only to find that they have finally
unearthed plan TO accumulate wealth
on short notice.
One of the Games.
One OF these schemes has just been
disclosed by the bureau. But. as usual.
no charge can be made against the sus-
poets. for while there is ground for
charge in effect there is none for a
charge in fact.
The detectives are forced to look on
in silence, while a w1oIesale fraud is
perhaps. being conducted before their
very eyes. Justice is the victim OF cir
cumstance.
The recent disclosures, while they
cannot be described in detail. may be
outlined so that the general scheme OF
the sharpers will be seen. 1t is no
doubt generally known that the original
drawings Of superior newspaper car
toons possess a value according to the
merit OF the creation. The originals OF
humorous political cartoons are fire.
quently purchased by the subjects op-
pOnents for diverse reasons.
After buying up a large batch Of these
pictures. an art firm" established tenn
pOrary quarters in this city some time
ago Their collection was made up en-
tirely OF humorous caricatures OF Sena-
tors, Congressman. and Government Of
hciaIs.
shortly after the Arms advent il
was announced that the cartoons would
be offered at a public sale They were
described TO be the finest products OF
keen wit and artistic workmanship.
Suggesting a Private Deal.
But before the sale was held the pic
tire agents visited these officials and
volunteered TO make private deal for
the cartoons. A confidential tip was
given that the drawings would be eager
~ snapped IN. besides creating much
ridicule and merriment.
1T would certainly be 20 your advan-
tase to make this purchase" was the
polite suggestion. However. we sim
ply desired 10 give you the first chance.
feeling that you would be only too glad
20 accept the proposition
Presenting the case in this manner.
the parties obtained large sums Of mon
ey for the sketches. It is not believed.
however. that many were taken in by
the scheme. for the Arm" suddenly de-
camped upon learning that the police
were on their trail.
There Is very little difference between
this and blackuail. Just enough TO keep
within the bounds Of the legitimate and
prevent interference from the police