The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1907-01-17
PROTECT FARMERS
Secret Service officials Seeking
to Break up Gang Of Thieves
Working in the State
WORKING BIG CRAFT CAME

Postal Inspector Ralph Bird has
uncovered what appears to be con-
certed attempt to defraud farmers
throughout this section of the state
by securing the shipment to Milwau-
kee of butter, eggs, poultry and meats.
AS far as known at present, the men
at the head of the scheme are Milwau-
kee people, although it is admitted
that discoveries made within the past
two or three days tend to establish the
fact that certain Chicago people are
also mixed up in the scheme.
According to Inspector Bird, the at
tempt recently uncovered is much
along the line of similar schemes
heretofore tried in some eastern cities
In pursuance of the plan, as detailed
by Mr.. Bird, the men behind the plan
| first ascertain the name of the leading
shipper in certain locality, after
which they Communicate with their
intended victim by telephone.
The farmer is told that the person
| talking is commission man in Mil
waukee who has recently established
a business there. The shipperi is asked
about the average shipments made by
him and then offered a price for his
produce from 2 to cents above that
paid by any commission firm in the
city. Usually this is sufficient to en-
sure the attention Of the farmer, after
which letter is sent him by the
schemers, in which the offer is re-
peated, together with alleged refer
ences respecting the reliability of,the
person making the offer.
Because Of the higher price offered,
as well as by reason of other repre-
sensations made, the farmer usually
responds with several shipments Of
whatever he has to place on the mar
ket and the produce is then sold by the
recipient for whatever he can get for
! it. It is all clear profit as the farmer
never receives a cent for his ship
ment.
Inspector Bird says that while he is
unable to estimate the amount of pro-
duce obtained by the gang behind the
scheme, he believes it to amount to
thousands of dollars, and when the
officials we're first. told of the plan, the
shipments to the schemers we're grow
ing larger every day.
| 1t was because of the use of the
mails that the postal inspectors we're
enabled to get trace of the gang
Several decoy letters were prepared
and sent out and these resulted in un-
covering enough Of the plan to enable
the officials to prepare the case for
presentation to the grand jury.
Within the past few days Inspector
Bird says he has learned that some of
the produce shipped to the Omen at
Milwaukee was by them reshipped to
Chicago and this tends to lend truth
to the theory that the receivers there
may be included in the deal. This
phase of the question is now being
investigated and it is hoped by the
officials to present the entire scheme
to the grand jury for investigation .
The children of st. Matthew's
church were given very pleasant
party at the Guild hall Thursdsy
evening. At the time the children of
other churches were holding Christ
mas celebrations the children of st.
Matthew's church decided to give
the money which would be spent ia
this way, to the hospital to aid in the
work. On this account the Christ
mas party held Thursday night was
arranged.