The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-03-24

The cleverness and holiness with
which the up-to-date investment swim
dler plies his craft are almost incred
ibe. Wherever you find a fraudulent
investment scheme you will find both
of these elements present in some de.
gree-but the comparative proportion
OF one to lne other is generally deter
mined by the element of time OF opera
ton.
For example, if the projectors of
scheme are old hands at the game and
have established records of the wrong
sort, then the idea of quick results IL
not only attractive but often impera-
tive. There are many "old offenders"
in the profession of investment swirl
ding who have been convicted and
have. done time" in jails and peni-
tentiaries but have not yet learned 70
prefer straight to crooked finance.
Men of this character realize that a
quick getaway" is a cardinal essen
tial of success; they must complete
the transaction and get in the harvest
before there is time for the public to
wake up and do any investigating.
Consequently, holiness is the big ele-
ment in operations of men of this
class. And, although they may be i'm
mensely clever, daring rather than
cunning will be the dominant char
acteristic of their scheme.
The length to which the holder spir-
its in this class will go almost sur
passes credibility. Here is an example
OF the tricks to which they will resort
IN order to create the impression of
having the backing of men or institu-
tons of strength and character:
Through introduction by social
friends the local representative of an
investment scheme was able to open a
checking account with a banking and
trust company in a big city-a com
pany of so high standing that it is
very widely known outside of financial
circles and among people of small
means. Its endorsement was worth
ready money to any enterprise and
the fact was keenly appreciated by the
fiscal agents" of the Brite & Fair
Bonanza company.
After the opening of his personal
checking account, the fiscal agent lost
no time in cultivating the acquaint'
ance of the trust officer of the bank
ing Institution, which did very large
business in the discharge of trusts
one day the depositor came to this Of
hcer and explained that he had very
simple little trust which he wished to
nave executed. Finding it necessary
10 leave the city for a few days he
wished to provide for the delivery OF
sealed package, containing valuable
papers" to a man whose name and
personal description was given. The
person to call for the package would
ieave certified check, in the amount
vi $1,000, which was to be placed to
the credit of the fiscal agent of the
orlte d Fair Bonanza company, whose
BUSINESS connections were unknown
!" the trust officers of the banking
ana trust company.
Weeks later the trust officer was as
ohlshed to receive from an old per-
sohal friend, who was knocking about
N the west, a circular of the Brite q
rair Bonanza company, in which the
oig trust company was designated as
trustee" for the "B. & F." stocks.
AS the friend who forwarded the cir
oular knew something of the wildcat
nature of the Brite & Fair enterprise,
Ills Comments On tho fo1ly of the
oahKs accepting such trust" had
an edge on them. When the matter
was Investigated 1t was found that
'ne Whole plot had been carefully con
oocted and worked up to; that the cir
sulars had been printed and put in di
aec'ed envelopes ready for mailing in
S% .ue of the placing of the so-called
rust and that when the trust Off
0er OF the solid financial institution