The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-27
NEW JET RICH
 QUICK SCHEME An Innocent Looking Premium
 Contract WORST KIND OF TRAP How a Clever Crater Worked an Innocent Laundryman in Mis- sourI Who Wanted To
 Be Shown How.
rom the St. Louis Post-Dlspatoh.

QUICK at the expense or others was re- gently worked on a prominent laundry proprietor in a certain Missouri town, and although the scheme was framed up' so it would be within the pale of tho law, nevertheless 1t is graft pure and simple, and one that shows great inge- nuity on the part of it's inventor
 This laundryman, whose name I will not mention, was approached by young man of genteel appearance and suave manner. After introducing himself he made the following proposition:
 He said he was the agent for a large firm in Chicago which makes a business Of manufacturing advertising novelties and furnishing "premiums' to retail mer- chants and business men, which enable them to gain many new customers and double their receipts through the legiti- mate channels of trade.
 This naturally sounded good to the laundryman. He became deeply interest ed and asked for further details
 The grafter then drew from his pocket some blank contracts and a photo en- graving of a handsome clock, made by large firm in Illinois. Then he proceed ed to unfold the particulars of his scheme as followsi
 He said he would have his trained and experienced canvassers make house-to- house calls and tell the people that they would receive this beautiful clock as A premium, absolutely free, if they would sign contract to furnish the said laun- dryman with SIP worth of work at reg ular laundry prices
 To compensate the promoter of the plan Tor his work, the laundryman must sign nd 4a1. f- bond agreeing to pay the promoter 30 cents for each contract taken, payable on the day 1t was handed to him, and to pay g each for the clocks.
 This would make s250 to be paid for each twelve-dollar contract, which would be reasonable enough when considering that possibly nine out of every ten new customers would continue indefinitely to patronize the laundry
 Believing that he was entering into A business agreement by which all concern ed would be benefited, the laundryman was glad to avail himself of a rare op- portunity, and signed a contract, secured by rood bond, agreeing to pay 50 cents spot cash for every twelve-dollar con tract delivered to him, and also binding himself to- order from the premium com pany promptly on the day following the delivery of the contract, one clock for every contract taken. for which he must
 
 The promoter immediately wired for his ten experienced oanvassers and bv the time they arrived he had the city laid out in sections and each mans territory mapped out ready for him to begin at once.
 These canvassers were able to take from 40 to 60 contracts a day each. The man who could not average 40 a day would not be kept. It was a sure thing that the gang would average 50 apiece every day.
 The proposition as made by them was of such an unusual character that nearly every housewife was glad to accept it. After having the plan described to them by the canvassers they generally signed contract at once
 The woman would figure that she had to have the work done by some laundry anyway, and as the prices were all the same why not make a change and secure the handsome premium?
 The day upon which the canvassers be- gan the grafter called upon the laundry and announced that his men had started. and that he would be at the laundry of flee at 8 o'clock that evening with their contracts.
 Imagine the surprise of the laundryman when the grafter called as agreed and laid down on his desk over 300 contractsl What! Five hundred contracts today?'' he asked. as he thought of the s25O cash to be paid out on them.
 Why, certainly" replied the grafter: "and 1t has been a poor day at thatl'
 Am l expected to pay you $250 cash tonight for these?"
 "Of course; that's the contract" the grafter curtly answered. Besides" he went on, you are to order 300 clocks to- morrow for premiums and inclose your check for them"
 Great heavensl That will be 5000 more." shouted the laundryman, almost frantic with rage and modification.
 "Yes, that's right replied. the grafter Altogether s1250 on today's business"
 "How mnay contracts do you expect to get tomorrow" asked the laundryman. his face pale with agitation.
 Well" replied the grafter, "anywhere from 500 to 600. and possible more than that.''
 "Do you expect me to back up this scheme with $1200 to $500 a day?" shrek- ed the laundryman.
 'sWhy, of course' sad the grafter can make a pile of money out of It.
 'IIow long will 1t take to finish up this city?' came the next anxious inquiry
 ~Oh! possible three months; maybe longer" answered the grafter calmly.
 What! Three or four months, and an average of 500 contracts a day? Man alive! How can l take care of all that business? Great Scott you've got me swamped the first day"
 well of course that's your look out" came the grafters response. Your con- tract reads that am to make a complete canvass of the town, and you are to pay me 50 cents cash for each contract and pay s2 for each contractors premium am here with my men and shall expect you to do as you agreed
 But" figured the laundryman, 'just see what am up against. It means that I have to pay you and the premium com pany s7500 the first week, and you will flood me with 5000 washings in the same length of time! You can see that within three months will have to pay you in cash $S7,500, and will have 5000 more washings to do every week than I now have, provided they all stickl"
 ''Well," the grafter asked dryly, ''how about Your cash receipts every day and every week? These contractors all have to pay their bills. and you will certainly get in an ocean of money from them"
 That isn't it. The question Is. how am l going to take care of all this busi- ness with my present facilities?" insisted the laundryman. M
 Enlarge your plant" was the grafter's suggestion
 T won't have time to enlarge. Be- sides I'll be in the insane asylum before months, if this keeps up,' replied the poor victim.
 T suppose you have lots of competi- tionr' suggested the grafter.
 ''Yes," was the reply; i've have plenty nf that