Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-24

matter carrying the imprint of the loan
concern on the envelope in plain sisht -
sent or left by messenger at the nome
or Office of the borrower. and he or she
is haraSSad and menaced IN every Gull
ceivable way. =,
That these methods may be punishable
as blackmail and may yet be tested In olle
courts en- that criminal charge is proDa-
BILE. Opponents of the operations or the
loan sharks are anxious to bring cases
before the courts in this form.
Associated Charities Active.
The Associated Charities has experience
with the operations of loan sharks in the
homes of the poor, where chattel mort
cages are given on furniture. That 1t has
been instrumental in compromising claims
where excessive extortion has been at
tempted by the creditors of the poor. Is
a source of qualification to the admins
traitors of the Associated Charities VINO
see in that fact an evidence OF tneir
power for good and the respect ana rear
accorded their activities.
One instance is cited of borrower
agreeing to make eleven payments OF $iV
each to cover a loan of $50. In the agree
ment covering this TRANSACTION was an
item which obligated the borrower to pay
attorneys fees in event that coiiection
had to be made through the courts. This
curious clause is a feature of some loan
contracts, as discovered through the
activities of the Associated Charities.
The hardship on colored people who
find themselves in straits where they
need to borrow money to help them OUT
is especially distressing to the Assoc1ated
Charities. A case has been uncovered
where for So borrowed money the Dor
rover. colored man, obligated himself
to pay the principal and $50 added.
Sixty thousand dollars was raised by
the loan concerns to defeat legislation be-
s<, To 1nd
Treasurer j. T. Exnicios of the Society
for Savings, on Information and belief
He declares that he overheard the state
ment made by interested parties. and
that this is matter of common report
Who Got the Money!
Senator Thurston was the attorney be-
fore the committees Of Congress for the
opponents of the loan shark bill. While
he may have exacted a big sum for his
services. it is not believed that he got all
of the 10000. Where the rest Of the
money was applied is a matter subject to
many conjectures, although no one cares
to declare a positive opinion.
This lobby fund is commented upon by
Rev. John A. Van Schaick. president of
the Monday Evening Club. the prime FAC
tor in urging Congress to leSislate against
the loan shark evil.
been practically driven out of the &C.
partments by the activities OF the So
ciety for Savings of Washington, the
purposes of which are stated to be to
aid persons temporarily in need OF
small sums of money by Offering loans
to them at low rate of interest"
Occasional transactions of this sort,
where the would-be borrowers ask as
sociates for loans with the promise OF
paying well for the accommodation, OF
which no record is made and no notes
pass. are not suppressible, are quasi
friendly compacts and Will continue al
ways. in the opinion Of Treasurer
Exnicios.
Director Ralph of the bureau of en-
craving and printing also speaks OF
deals Of this nature. This, he says, he
is powerless to stop.
Sporadic cases of this sort, says MIR.
Exnicios. seldom involve much money
and do not come to official notice. For
can make better terms with the re-
medal loan association.
To Push Loan Shark Bill.
The loan shark" bill. which failed
in the last Congress, is to be pushed
in the next. Behind it, are the Mon
day Evening Club, the women's well
fare department Of the Civic Fedora
ton, the National Federation Of Re-
medal Loan Associations. the Associ-
ated Charities. various citizens asso-
Citations. the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia and citizens bodies.
The Senate acted favorably upon Sen
ate bill No. 433, passing 1t April II,
last year. The bill went to the House
of Representatives. from whence after
| long consideration in the committee OF
|
ably reported without further amend
ment.
1t never came to a vote on the floor of
the House. During the closing days of
| last session, when District of Columbia
| day was lost out of the calendar OF pro-
ceedings. the loan shark bill shared the
! fate common to all pending legisla ton
affecting the District Of Columbia. II
| was never reached.
| The sponsors for the bill expect that 1t
will have the approval of this Congress,
either at the special session which begins
April or at the regular session. Ii
the House of Representatives. in the
| course of reorganization for the special
session. fails to designate the personnel
| of the District of Columbia committee
| it may not be possible to get the loan
shark bill before the House, unless the
fact that 1t has been unanimously APP
proved by the expiring committee may
| gain 1t special privilege. Failing actio.,
| at the special session the advocates OF
| the loan shark bill will press action al
| the regular session.
Employees to Answer Charges.
Six suspended employees of the bureau
of engraving and printing today will
Lanswer charges preferred by Director
Ralph before Secretary MacVeagh Of the
Treasury Department Of making usurious
loans to fellow-employes In defiance OF
la regulation prohibiting such practice
The names of the men involved are still
withheld by Director Ralph.
His recommendation in the cases will
decide whether they retain their posi-
tions CT not and whatever punishment
NTH no mated ont m them ne Oh flse