The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-11-15
CAPITAL GOSSIP
Clerks Discharged From Bureau o,
Pensions for Charging Usurfous
Rate of Interest.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-The dis.
missal"of several clerks employed in
the Bureau Of Pensions for loaning
moneypat usurious rates of interest
to ti,eir fellow CLERKS. or being the
INTERMEDIARY or go-between of out
side loan sharks, is the first step in
bfeaking up pernicious practice that
has been in vogue from time almost
immehiorial. There are in this city
fortunes by loaning money to govern
ment. Clerks at rates of from to 10
per cent. month, and there are
clerks drawing government salaries
wh8 Rave loaned and are still loaning
money ITO their fellow clerks at the
same usurlous rates. The modus
operahai is :, as follows: These out
side loan associations have their
agents in each department. These
agents ARE familiar with each clerk,
know his habits. his associates, know
that he is honest and one who keeps
his Yprd. The clerk desires, we will
say, a loan Of $50. He finls out the
agent-in the Office where he is en-
plqyedsa He goes to see him, explains
hiss Necessity, is given a blank note
to fill out for five months, another
blanirto fill out in which he obligates
himself to pay $40 monthly for five
months He must have two indorsers
on his note who are required to give
their position in the Service, where
employed and the amount of salary
receivda. This formula having been
made out the agent CLERK in the de-
partmenD takes 1t to the loan Office;
20. KS" 1t and the next day is hand
ed SSf5S This is at the rate of &c 2-3
per seept. per annum, or 2la per cent.
m5nth or "a per cent. discount If
th& hbte is not paid 1t is protested at
a cost of about $2 This seldom hap.
pens. Very few OF the notes go to
protest. The impecunious clerk pays
Up, renews the note, and so 1t goes
on for years.
The question naturally arises: What
Is the necessity for clerks in the gov
eminent service permitting themselves
to be %ffeeced in this manner? There
are many answers to this question.
Sickness or death of wife or children.
habits Of some cut quite figure,
living beyond their legitimate in
comes, 9the increased cost of living
with lnog increase in salaries, AMI a
thousand and one other excuses that
the, Improvement one makes for be-
coming, the victim Of these nsurers
and sharks. The borrowers of mon
ey at these heartbreaking rates are
not confined to any special class of
governments servants. The military,
naval and civil branches of the gov
eminent furnish their victims to the
Unsuitable nav of the money chang.
ers in the capital of the nation, and
have ana doubtless will for years to
COME. Hitherto no such drastic
measGTe has been taken to break mp
the ubiquitous scheme as that In
augurated by the Commissioner of
Pensions. AS before stated, spas
modise efforts have been made and
warnings given, but without effect.
While some think that the Commits
sioner,yas severe in his action, there
are larger number of the employees
OF the. government. prudent and care
fun 11nsFR and women in all OF the de-
partments, who while isympathizing
with. the unfortunate victims. do not
hesitate to express the opinion that
If TIE heads of other great depart.
mepts, &c the government win follow
the EXAMPLE Of Mr.. Warner. the Shy.
I1ocks of washington viii be put out
Of business.
TheQf ~ Laundry Is The only place
that makes a specially Of cleaning ca