El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-10-01
R SCANDAL IN
MEXICAN
STAMPS
Believed That the Treasury
May Have Been Robbed
by Manipulators.
BELEM PRISON is
NOW OVERCROWDED

Mexico City, Mex, Sept. 8O.-Tax Of
ficia1s Of Mexico are inclined to think
that the national treasury has been de-
frauded OF a considerable amount Of
money, but just now there appears no
means whatever Of knowing, for scores
of little fires have consumed the evil
dence. Acting upon Geographic in
structiOns, government dispensers Of
revenue stamps in all parts Of the re-
public destroyed to the last little lth-
ograph all their old stock, only to dis
cover that the order was forgery.
Recall OF Stamps.
It is the custom Of the tax depart
ment to call in every Two years what
remains OF an old issue, sending new
stamps in return for those turned in.
In the present instance the reports OF
the officials of their compliance with
the order was the first intimation re-
ceived at the capital of what had been
done. An inVest cation was hastily
Geographic circular bearing what ap-
peared TO be the proper official seal,
had been submitted TO the telegraph
company for transmission. Now the
governments secret service agents are
evolving theories and seeking clues as
to the identity Of the criminal or joker.
How it Was Worked.
The popular theory is that one or
possibly number Of stamp distribu-
tors created and carried out the de-
ception, in order to cover shortage,
the police pointing out that a man
might easily report that he had burned
upon iustruction-S10O0 worth OF
stamps and received credit for that
amount, when in reality he had con
signed not more than 500 worth to
American Race Plant.
Under American management, the
capitals big racing plant, inaugurated
last year and scene Of the first MeXi-
can Derby, VIII be operated this win
ter along American lines The plant
has been leased from the Jockey club,
MeXico's most fashionable and eXclu-
sive organization, by Matt J. VIM, an
American, and his associates The To-
cal track, widely known as the Con-
desa track, was the realization Of
dream OF many years on the part OF
the Jockey club, although members OF
that organization are for the most part
not racing men, despite the name of
their club. To that fact is attributed
their failure to make racing a success
Under the new arrang ement the club
VIII yet have an advisory interest in
the track. but the active management
VIII lie with the Americans 1t is pro-
posed to open the track during the
Ia-tte=- part Of October, racing on three
DAYS a week, U hul s51ay's saturdays anu
Mexican COnsuIs.
Mexico soon viii be represented IN
the consular service by none but Next
can citizens. Some two months ego the
state department issued a circular
stating that the custom Of permitting
minor consular posts to be filled by
forefgners would be discontinued, but
adding that vacation would be
granted all such incumbents If they
cared to come TO the capital and take
out papers of naturalization A mum
Der availed themselves Of the offer,
many being here now, waiting for the
necessary time TO elapse when they
can return to their posts as Mexican
citizens
To determine some Of the resources
the government has in Lower CalifOr-
MIA the Geologic institute has named,
with the consent Of the department OF
fomentO. a commission to visit the
peninsula and make minute survey.
Only in rather vague way IS the gov
eminent familiar with this portion OF
the national territory. One Of the cher
ished plans Of the new regime is 20
secure the colonization Of Lower CALI
fOruia and the goVernme nt wishes the
information the commission is eI-
pected to procure, in order TO place II
at the disposal Of prospective settlers
Belem is Crowded.
Governor RiverO, Of the federal dis
trict has sent message to the depart
ment Of justice, requesting that all
haste. possible be used in the proceed
iugs relating to prisoners in Belem, the
big local Jail, who are now under SEN
tence of death. He explains that the
Jail is too crowded and that the cells
these men occupy are needed for 9TH
ers Plans have been made and &C
cepted for new jail, but realizing
that IL wiz be long time before the
historic and notorious prison Belem can
be abandoned, the governor has urged
that it be enlarged and remodeled in
order to make better sanitation pos
sible and to afford more room The
average number Of prisoners confined
&c a