Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-29
SWINDlERS OF The ORIENT
SOME WINES AND LIQUORS Elk
TENsIvELY CoUNTERFEITED.
Poor Stuff Put in Once-Used Bottles
With Genuine Labels and Corks.
American Arms Initiated.

Consul General " illiam II. Michael sends
from Calcutta report to the bureau of
manufacturers. explaining the skillful meth
DDS of some of the native dealers in sub
shutting. by means of spurious brands and
packages counterfeits for imported articles.
He writes:
THE cunning Indian has demonstrated
that putting up liquors in labeled and
capsuled bottles, with special stamps the
corks. is no protection at all to the high
grade goods thus treated. In fact these
precautions simply make the way of the
swindler easy and profitable. Hotels and
individuals who import their own goods
derive more or less comfortable assurance
Of the purity of the goods from the elab-
crate capsues and makers. but those who
buy the goods from the baZaars can have
such assurance. These bazaar dealers make.
a great show of carrying only superior I'M
ported goods, and exhibit the capsuled and
gaudily- labeled bottles as proof of their
claim. They always offer their goods, the
same brands, at a lower price than can be
had at reputabl2 European establi shments
and explain that their expenses of doing
business are much lower than their COM
petitors, and hence they can sell at lower
prices. But the fact is they are selling
spurious and really vile goods In bottles
that are genuine.
Methods of Procedure.
1.-THE method of procedure by representa-
lives of concerns dealing in counterfeit
articles is TO form the acquaintance of head
walters of hotels and the 'khansamas' of
private establishments where frst-class
wines and liquors used and by a salts
factory bride secure capsules unchanged or
Slightly damaged. A good price is paid for
bottles with labels intact and for corks with
the brand on the side or bottom that can
be used. But the corks are not essential.
The faker can use new Corks ant mark them
with his own metal die. With a supply of
capsules. bottles and labels and corks the
counterfeiter with supply of German
spirits, brandy, and whisky essence, etc,
is ready for business Skilful blending fol-
lows. the filling of the bottles already
labeled and corked. a fine brand from some
other country Is ready for the seeker after
high grade wine or liquor which he believes
is the same article that he would have to
pay a quarter or third more for at a
liable dealers. If the buying of wines and
liquors is left to the khansama, he will in
variably buy of these native dealers because
he can get a larger 'rake-off.' He will
show his master the bill and expatiate on
how much he had saved for his master by
buying at the bazaar, or from native firm
of great wealth who can undersell the Euro
pean merchants.
The Remedy.
"Thare is a remedy to be used against
swindiers of this sort, but the trouble is to
CdtCH IIISt llt OIlly pIOCeSS IL
the trademarks and merchandise acts. The
action Is brought in the. police court and in
wolves considerable expense and immense
amount of trouble. and the chances are all
against conviction.
Probably the only remedy is for the
manufacturers or exporters in America and
Europe to have in each city or town an eX-
elusive agent for the sale of their goods,
and then that the agency is absolutely
the only place where their goods can be
had
American Pistol Initiated.
"One of the leading dealers in firearms in
Calcutta is handling revolver that is a
perfect imitation of well-known American
revolver and is sold for that weapon. The
only difference in the appearance of the
pistols is that the initials saw contained
in the ring on the handle and the name on
the side of the counterfeit made SO dim
that they cannot be made out. Thus the
disguise Is complete. and the rights of an
American manufacturing company are being
infringed and an inferior article is imposed
on the public. The Calcutta Arm sells this
counterfeit which Is made in Spain, at 80
rupees, whereas the genuine American ar
ncle is sold for 90 rupees, or $40 and $50
respectively.
II am not advised as to whether American
inventions can be patented in Spain or not.
II the American manufacturers have taken
out patents In Spain and are laboring under
the impression that their rights are being
protected in that country, they are appar-
emily laboring under delusion."