The San Francisco call., 1906-11-11
BUSINESS METHODS
OF CRIMINALS
By Forming Organization
European Crooks Are En-
abled to Ply Their Trade

The syndicate of a hundred coiners
arrested In France Just recently is
another sign OF the business-like and
up-to-date methods of the modern
criminal The clumsy, taetless scoun-
drel ofthe Bill Skies type is fast going
to the wall. In his place stands the
criminal genius, trained on scientific
lines, cool and resoureefuL
As certain men rise from their class
and become kings OF commerce. with
armies of men carrying out the projects
of their brains, so IL is in the realms
of crime.
The chief of the Paris syndicate Of
coiners is an admirable illustration Of
the point. This man. Louis Menag ge.
can be reckoned the king of coiners.
The coins he turned out absolutely
bafied detection. save by experts. They
were made of crystal glass. heated to
800 degrees and cast in molds. after
which. by a galvano-plastie process.
they were covered with a thin coating
of real, gold In appearance. weight.
finish and sound they could not be
distinguished from genuine gold pieces.
But Manages skill was even more
apparent In the organization OF his
band of criminals. He had agents in
London, Liverpool. Manchester. Bir-
mingham, Glasgow Edinburgh and
Dresden So cleverly were the details
thought out. and the business so
adroitly transacted that even when the
police arrested -passers of the coun-
terfeit coin. they failed for over twelve
months in obtaining the slightest clew
as to where the ten-franc gold pieces
were manufactured or who was at the
head of the counterfeiting concern.
Under Menage's presidency. a COM
mittee of three decided the details of
the business The thousands OF coins
MeEage turned out were sold BY the
committee at two shilIings a piece
to their commercial travellers. who
journeyed over Europe and employed
persons to exchange the coins for gen
uine ones.
Paris Is renowned for its organiza-
tions of criminals. Some eighteen
months ago thirty burglars calling
themselves the Bandits OF Abbeville."
were captured in the gay city while
holding a sort OF shareholders meet
ing.
The books the police secured re-
vealed the fact that they had been
kept on an elaborate actuarial system.
They had a secret telegraphic code,
and have an account at the bank. just
as the bigger private. business firm
Their directorate consisted OF five
members, who gave instructions to
ulaHd6Cft nitO III LuIn tLilpiOJeu EleTllS
and experts to provide the-'hands''
with the fullest details. sucn rs plans
of the houses to be burgled. number
of servants. extent OF stealab1e goods,
and such like.
A sum of money was set aside as a
reserve fund, out OF which the family
of any arrested member Of the band
were kept until the prisoners release.
Each member OF the gang. moreover,
was provided with false papers. to dis
guise his identity. and expense was
not spared in obtaining the best coun-
sci and legal advice IN the event OF the
police capturing enc Of their number.
The Baroness de Gordoue was an
other criminal genius who ran her
business on a big scale. She lived in
much magnificence, moved in the best
Partisan society and paid rent Of
$1,000 per annum for her home, the
beautiful Cloi Palace
But 1t was the headquarters of a
band numbering quite a score OF rogues
burglars. forgers. pickpockets and
Others. The homes Of the members of
the gang were connected with the pal
ace by telephone. Books were kept.
with lists of houses suitable for break
ing into. sand fullest particulars were
opposite each, while space was left for
filling in the extent OF any hauls that
may have taken place there.
Another book. especially welcome to
the police. gave the names. addresses.
qualifications. and history of more than
200 of Paris worst criminals. most OF
whom. at some time or other. had been
the Baroness employees In the eel
lars we're found precious silks. pic
lures. curios. plate. jewels and valua-
bles-proceeds of innumerable rob-
beries-that were worth q large for
tune
police raided the palace a couple OF
criminals in hospital. attended by
doctor and a nurse, whose services
were exclusively at the baroness !"
command The patients were being
treated for shot wounds they had re-
ceived in attempting a recent burglary.
-Pearson's Weekly.