New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-14
MAKE COINS In PRISON.
PLANT IN PENITENTT4RY.
CoaUicts in Pennsylvania Institution
COunterfeiters.

rshnadelphia. Sept I3.-Following closely on
the exposure OF gross Irregularities in the cigar
department Of the Eastern Penitentiary came
the announcement tonight that the coinage OF
subsidiary silver pieces had been carried on by
convicis in the institution. No details OF the
countcrfeiting scheme can be learned from any
OF the officials connected with the prison or
from the government officials who have beeh
assigned to the case. The fact that such OAR
.ng scheme had been carried in the peniten-
tiarv was made public by George NauX. jr, one
u the prison inspectors. who summoned news
9aper men 20 his home and voluntarily maze
he disclosure He gave out the following
tatement
DIR. w ID Robinson and George Naux, jr-.
who at present the visiting inspectors 81 81
duty at the Eastern State Penltentafy' Hiaoe
.he statement that there has come 20 their
cHlcial knowledge that within n snort time an
attempt has been made by certain conVlcts
now confined in the pententiary 10 manufacture
counterfeit silver coins. But few pieces We're
made and number 81 these have come INTO
the possession Of the inspectors, toge,ner WI
metals and dies used. tho attempt mus peiis
nipped IN the bud The evidence IN the case Is
not vet complete but all that has been secured
has been submitted TO the United States author-
sties.
Mr.. vaux refused TO give any more details.
Prom other sources IL was learned that dimes.
quarters and half dollars the coins manu-
.acturee The discovery was made several days
nFo and United States Secret Service officials
were immediately called in. Their investigation
Il fs learned Is still I'm progress. their principal
object beii.g 10 learn whether there was collu-
sion between the convicts and employees OF the
institution
n Is believed that the discovery Of counterfiters
a. the prison was the result Of the investigation
now being carried there result OF the irreg-
alarfties IN the cigar department These irregu-
larities became known last week and pending an
Investigation. Warden Daniel Bussinger and the
verseer Of the cigar department were relieved from
duty. and the penitentary placed IN charge OF the
Rev Joseph WEIGH. the chaplain.
II is alleged that thousands OF cigars made by
conyicts are unaccounted for. that thousands OF
them did not have the internal revenue stamps ana
shat IN many instances the law requiring that
prison made cigars be stamped convict made was
snr on 3 vet 10 be learned The pententiary Is in
charge 81 board Of fv inspectors appointed ny
bSard is now making an inspection OF each bIanch
OF the institution and has employed an enIt &C
internal revenue officers are carrying on separate
Or. William r. Robinson one Of the inspectors
sn speaking 81 the affair, said that the inspectors
had not found anything initiating against the per,
Fonal Integrity and ability Of the warden, but had
found abundant evidence that the methods 50 long
On vogue were faulty and antlquated Maroeh
Eussinger has been permitted 20 engage an &C
countsnt 20 protect his interests in the matter OF
Later further details OF the CONTRIBUTING scheme
|I became kno~n lhese were 70 the ~ 49, az 1be
men were engaged IN The ~ork me heau OF ne
counterfeiters being Phiadelphlan nov serving
professional criminals. who secured. through the
plumbing department Of the prison. the necessary
metal made Of solder. tin and ground glass. The
mouds 81 is believed were made OF plaster Of
paris scraped from the walls Of cells.
Some ~ the coins got into circulation, but IN
what manner has not Yet been fully determines
fsVors Tor the prisoners such as mailing letters.
81 violation Of the rul 81 the INSTITUTION received
The hosus money as UPS, and that they innocently
passed n into circulation.