davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10
JEREMIAH ma4onEy ANps HARRY

He was about TO hand out the $3.50 when
the auctioneer suddenly collapsed.
81 thought" ne stammered, that you
wuz one OF them cappers."
The man explained that he was bona
fide purchaser. The auctioneer merely
snarled. He said the goods were worth
81, 900 or $4,000, and they were.
'Itn ruin me-" he finally walled.
But the purchaser stood pat. The auc-
tioneer afraid of unhappier prospects,
surrendered. He was "done"-hoist with
his own petard.
The public auction was well known to
Roman civilization, and one writer points
out that It Is probable the selling OF
statuary, pictures and collections OF curios
had its beginning in that golden heyday
of conquest and vandalism, when the
splendor OF the orient became the plumber
of Rome"
A New York man not long ago entered
an auction store where they were selling
rugs. To him there had always been a
fascination and magic about the fabrics
OF the past. The auctioneer delivered a
harangue that could not fail to move any
one with semblance OF love for the
| truly beautiful. A woman bought the
offered fabric for $575. She did not seem
| excited over her good fortune.
"She was used TO IT," he said, when
telling Of the incident afterward.
Commissioner Mahoney asked a witness
about the conditions that exist in other
auction districts in the city. He replied
that the Japanese have It down to a
science" Most Japanese auctioneers, the
witness testified, do not receive COM
mission. but a salary. Also, they do not
| know who the "cappers' are. The own
ers give the "cappers" instructions. This
| is done TO keep the "cappers" from
| double crossing the proprietor. dia-
mond, for instance. might be worth $500.
There have been times when the auc-
tloneer would sell it to a "capper" for
500. It was necessary for the proprietor
Of a japanese store TO be trimmed In
this way only two or three times at most
until steps were taken by him to outwit
his own employees, II possible.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

in the penal sum of 5000 The President
OF the Board of Aldermen, on complaint
Of any person having been defrauded by
any auctioneer or by the clerk, agent or
assignee Of such auctioneer, doing busi-
ness in said city, is authorized and d.
rected TO take testimony under oath rela-
tive thereto, and If the charge snail, IN
his opinion. be sustained, he shall revoke
the license granted 10 such aucuoneer'
and direct his bonds to be forfeited
Taking part in a mock auction sale IS
also a crime, as shown by Section 93 OF
the Penal Code, which reads as follows:
"a person who buys or sells, or pre-
tends to buy or sell, any goods, wares or
merchandise, or. any species Of property.
except ships, vessels or real or leasehold
estate, exposed for sale by auction, if an
actual sale, purchase and change Of own
ershlp therein does not thereupon take
place, is guilty of a misdemeanor, pun
tshable by imprisonment for thirty days,
or by fine not exceeding $780, or both"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

WV THEN a man from the South is
M imposed upon he usually has
w the courage to see the matter
through. One might suppose that an auo-
tioneer. who is compelled to live largely
by his wits, would have learned this i'm
portant fact long ago. Several of our
best little "Dol-dol- dol dollar, who'll
give me dollarn a quarter artists on
Broadway and adjacent thoroughfares
know it now, at any rate.
1t is not likely that they will soon again
sing their song to another Southern gem
tleman. They have too much respect for
what one visitor from south OF Baltimore
did to them a few days ago
This particular Southerner drifted into
two auction rooms in one evening, made
q few purchases, and regretted them i'm
nediately he inspected the articles in the
incandescent glow of his hotel room.
And then, the fame of our Mayor as a
correspondent having travelled to Geor-
gia, the man wrote Mr.. Gaynor a letter
full of bitterness and asked his help.
In this letter the Southerner described
with numerous distinctive adjectives two
auction rooms in a conspicuous section Of
Broadway, where, he said with italics,
fraudulent sales were conducted. He said
that many persons were defrauded in
these places. He did not hesitate to as
sert that these same places were a dis
grace to the city.
Well. of course. any person living in
New York City knows how jealous Mayor
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

and objects Of art. The inspectors found
that between the hours of II a. m. and
9 D. m, with brief intermissions, auction
sales were held of diamonds, watches,
jewelry, bronzes, oil paintings and other
articles The red flag on the outside an
nounced that a certain real estate auc-
tioneer was conducting the interior pro-
ceedings.
The auctiCneer stands on a species OF
pulpit and performs mysterious man9u-
vres with a hammer. Every piece is the
finest Of it's kind and goes for one-quar-
ter Of its value. The crowd is repeatedly
informed that ii will be sorry. Which Il
getting pretty close TO the truth for an
auctioneer
1t developed in the course OF the inquiry
that the auctioneers engaged in illegal
business have a vocabulary of their own
v hlch is peculiar to the auction system.
Thus the auctioneer terms his confeder-
ates "schillaber' a single confederate, or
capper is called a "schill"; a prospective
buyer is called "rummy'; bidder who
is not in the employ of the auctioneer is
called a sucker" These facts the Com
missioners of Accounts were enabled to de-
termine in the course Of the examination.
One place had eight of these confederates
or "schius," including what Is known as
lookout" man and one woman.
THE method of operation" said Com
missioner Mahoney, was that these con-
federates gathered about the doorway of
the store, and when a passerby entered
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10
THE LAW VIOLATED.

According to the Commissioners OF Ac-
counts, there has also been wanton viola
ton OF the following section OF the Gen.
eral Business law-Section 20 Of the Con-
solidated Laws of the State of New YORK
which reads
Goods sold at auction shall in all
cases be struck off to the highest bidder.
When struck off, if the contract be not
Immediately executed by the payment OF
the pricesor the delivery of the goods
the auc t5uaeer shall enter in sale book
kept by him for that purpose a memo
randum OF the sale, specifying the nat
ure. quantity and price of the goods the
terms of the sale and the names of the
purchaser and of the person on whose
account the sale is made
Although the inquiry has been con-
fined to only three auction rooms s2ld
Commissioner Mahoney, I'VE are con-
WINGED from the evidence obtained thus
far that similar methods prevail In the
ma iority of auctions conducted In TINS
city to-day.
Undoubtedly at the places under IN
vestigation many persons have peeh
swindled by the methods used in VIOLA
ton of law.
The result OF our inquiry so far has
revealed a condition thu We believe
should be acted upon by District Az
torney. We are prepare % furnish him
with complete evidence in all three oil
these cases"
Because therefore. OF the prompt ana
efficient action OF the Southern gentie-
man, our justly celebrated Mayor APP
pears, according to the Bull Moose para
erapher. TO be "the guy who put the
| shun' in auction"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

what did they look llke?" he was
asked.
zone Is a porter. and the other two,
believe. are Italians-I am not positive,
he replied.
Rugs and watches, he said, were the
things that seemed 10 appeal with most
force 10 the individual with honest-to-
goodness money TO spend. They were, he
said. the two articles that brought the
high prices. He explained that "cappers'
I'm his place were all instructed as to the
cost OF the goods and knew when to start
the bidding. FOR instance, they knew
that the fountain pens cost 90 cents apiece
and the watches 81. so that the "cappers'
must not permit them to go under those
figures
There was a certain woman, he said
who WAS very strenuous in her work or
lust standing there 10 attract the fem
mime passerby. She had been there so
long he added. that his firm didn't use
her any more.
Everybody knows her" he said.
He stated that "cappers' start the
goods. The auctIonecr-one can picture
the scene II one has ever attended an
auction-pauscs for breath and surveys
the crowd. lie asserts that the price
rests with the purchaser-that he is there
10 accept any bid whatever.
lie picks up an old piece OF japanese
china-the most perfect thing OF its kind.
He wears an indulgent smile. The first
timid bid causes him to pause for breath
again.
When they're gone you'll be sorry" he
says. AT dollar'n "A half for master
plccc-the most perfect thing Of it's kind
that I have ever seen. a bargain at SIS.
OH thank you; a dollar seventy-hve. A
gift Buy II and lay II away. But am
going 20 sell IL. / cannot waste time.
g., once. g. twice. s.. three times! Are
you all done? Fair warning; Given away
for
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10
GENERAL UTILITY MAN.

The testimony Of a "capper' who had
been following that business for the last
five or six years was TO the effect that
his work consisted in Standing around
and helping swell the crowd" Sometimes
he was told TO bid and he bid.
81 only bid when l am told by the auc-
tloneer when l get the code sign" He
explained that the code sign might be the
raising OF the auctioneer's finger or the
use OF some expression such as Zine two"
When the commissioner asked him for
his definition OF sucker" and "rummy"
the dapper "capper" said, with consider
able cheerfulness:
"a man that buys an article and gets
Il very cheap, you might say he's a
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10
PHILANTHROPiSTS.

II has been remarked as marvellous
that these auctioneers can go on sacri-
ncing the beautiful things year In and
year out and continue 10 pay rent
But sometimes the auctioneer runs up
against an unexpected proposition. In
one instance the proposition was cor
poration lawyer. Everybody knows what
that IS.
This particular lawyer lived out West.
lie came 10 New York for a vacation and
began having an immense time, treating
himself 10 many Injuries, among them
the auction fun along Broadway.
II CHANGED one day that he dropped into
shop where fine harness and vehicles TO
match were being auctioned. He bid I'm
saddle, some fancy harness and two
vehicles at $50.
After the bidding had stopped he
walked up to the auctionecr and gave his
address, with instructions as TO shipping.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10
The THINKER ACTS.

The Mayor did as the visitor requested.
He interested himself in the Southerner' s
complaint. lie asked the Commissioners
of Accounts to discover whether it were
true that there were men flying red flags
in Broadway to decoy the unsuspecting
into game as one-sded as keep-your-
nts-on-the-little-pea.
Jeremiah T. Mahoney and Harry NJ.
Rice. Commissioners Of Accounts, acted
promptly upon receipt Of the request from
Mayor Gaynor to investigate the auction
rooms and report.
The Commissioners of Accounts are
young and ambitious and filled with zeal.
They yearned to bring the takers to
book. They were inclined to accept with
ont question the point of view so ably
set forth by the man from Georgia. SO
five inspectors were Immediately dis
patched TO get evidence.
This kind Of evidence is peculiarly hard
10 obtain. But already the inspectors
have been successful in establishing to the
satisfaction of any unbiased person not
only that fraudulent auction sales are
openly conducted In at least three places
in upper Broadway and Sixth avenue,
but that there are many of these places
in town.
They subpenaed nine auctioneers nine
teen "cappers' and two women to the Of
fee of the Commissioners OF Accounts.
Many of these proprietors and their con-
federates, being first duly examined under
oath, finally admitted that the places con-
Quoted by them were contrary to the pro-
visions Of Section 943 of the Penal Code,
and also Section 20, Chapter q, laws OF
1909. of the consolidated laws Of the State
of New York
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

Il am going to give you bargain. l
am going to see il you will take some
thing as a gift. This marvellous screen,
ladies and gentlemen, made in Yokka-
homma for the st. Louis Exposition, of
carved ivory, inlay, and lacquer work.
Its value ladies and gentlemen is at
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

Gaynor is Of its fair name. A man must
be courageous VINO attacks it in the pres
ence of our Mayor. But there was some
thing so sincere i'm the SOutherner's ap-
peal for aid that Mr.. Gaynor eliminated
him as being of that horde whose heads
are filled with vice and crime.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

There were three auctioneers employed
in one of the Broadway places. KIND
OFF ballyhoo hullabaloo was maintained
around the entrance 10 attract persons
within. the hope in each auctioneer's breast
being strong that at least one Of the au-
dience would be in possession OF what is
technically designated as 'Wad'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

Certain gland extracts cause marvellous
increase of stature, but there's nothins
like prosperity to make man outgro"
his friends.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

member of this angelic trio explained that
each one of MS taxes what We call "A
half-hour pitch. You work half an hour
and call your partner. Between the three
Of us we get 10 per cent of the actual
sales We don't get any percentage OF
the fake sales We keep a record Of only
the actual sales"
Asked II he knew the persons employed
on the floor. he replied:
81 couldn't tell you that"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10
eoWERY GAME ON BROADWAY.

This confession means that the old Bow
cry auction game of selling the box, but
not the sox," Is being worked right in the
heart of New York City. 1t also developed
I'm the course of the inquiry that out-of-
town people suffer most by reason Of this
game Section "a of the charter puts auc-
tioneers under the jurisdiction OF the
President Of the Board OF Aldermen, who
can act only upon the specified complaint
of a person who has been cheated. Con-
corning Section 20 Of the general business
law of 1903 a mysterious Joker has APP
peared in the form of rider In a bill.
Chapter 57l, passed by the Legislature In
1911. This rider repealed law which
made It obligatory upon the auotioneer to
keep a book recording all auction sales
and which made It a misdemeanor for
such record not to be kept At a fake
auction only bona fde sales are recorded.
One of the places investigated on Broad
way, between 25th and S3d streets, Is os-
tensibly store for the sale Of bric-a-brac
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10
NOT cAPPERs, BUT FILLERs.lN.

Fill up space, try to get a crowd in
the door and fill up the store and then
look for what we call the sucker or
'rummy'-a person who wanted to bid.
II was suggested to this auCtioneer that
sometimes, no doubt, a sure enough bid
der might get something worth as much
as he paid for II. His reply was reas-
surfing. He said:
VERY often by U.S."
One of the proprietOrs Of another auc-
ton store in upper Broadway was re-
quested at the inquiry to explain the way
he did business. The man assumed an
air Of innocence when mention was made
of such descriptive terms as "rummy'
and sucker"
II very seldom use that language" he
replied, in an injured tone II can prove
to you that ] never use a bad word on
the stand since / am in the business"
Asked again for his definition Of those
terms, the auctioneer replied:
Il don't use that language. Except you
mean a buyer. A buyer is a sucker
know just exactly If anybody says he Is
good sucker he If a 'rummy But this
is not in my place"
An employe of his went on the stand
afterward and stated that his chief had
three "cappers" that he knew of, and
that 1t was part Of the business; that
they had to have "cappers" to accelerate
the bidding. Asked who the "cappers"
were in his place, he said he did not know
their names, as the personnel of that de-
partment of the enterprise was changed
so often he did not get chance to make
their acquaintance. With a consciousness
of superiority such as a pilot might as
sumo toward a stoker, the auctioneer
added:
1--WE don't mingle with them people"
One Of the auctioneers stated that
"cappers" in his place received 81 TO & 90
Gay. Some places, he said, have cap
pers" who merely ''sit in" to draw a
crowd. One OF the ."cappers," he added,
was a former auctioneer. having gone
into the profession Of "capping" because
II was less strain on his voice and ner-
vous system.
"As a 'capper." the man continued,
che is one Of the best Of them al.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

This Is Story of the Able Assistance Rendered
by the "SchilIaber" in Many So-Caled Auc-
ton Room, Where "Valuable Bric-a-Brac
and Art Objects" Are, So to Speak,
Given Away; and Also Tale of
the Woes of the "Rummy"
and the Sucker"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-10

he was edged into the circle, and then
the auctioneer offered an article for sale.
The bidding was started by a secret code
which the auctlOneer practised with his
confederates. If, for example, he offered
an article for sale. and a confederate bid
81, and he wanted another confederate 10
raise the bid, he simply said Line two,
and another confederate would raise the
bid 81. Articles when not bid high
enough by outsiders were knocked down
to these confederates, who never removed
them from the store, but simply walked
TO the rear and ostensibly gave their
names to the cashier"
One of the auctioneers testified that
confederates were not called "cappers.'
Asked by the Commissioner what they
were called, he replied In a more or less
intelligent fashion:
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-01-05
Life Insurance Companies
They Are Closely Observing Public
Health Conditions.

An examining physician for one of
the prominent Life Insurance Com
panies, in an interview on the sub
ject, made the astonishing statement
that the reason why SO many appli-
cants for insurance are rejected is be-
cause kidney trouble is SO common to
the American people, and the large
majority OF applicants do not even
suspect they have the disease.
He states that judging from his
own experience and reports from
druggists who are constantly in di-
rect touch With the public, there is
one preparation that has probably
been more successful in relieving and
curing these, diseases than any rem
edy known. The mild and healtng
influence OF DR.. Kilmer's Swmap-
Root is soon realized. 1t stands the
highest for its remarkable record or
cures.
We find that Swamp-Root is strict
~ an herbal compound and we would
advise our readers who feel In need
OF such a remedy to give 1t a trial.
1t is on sale at all drug stores in bot
ties OF two sizes-fifty- and one
dollar.
However, II you wish first to lest its
wonderful merits, send to DR.. Kiimer
& Co., BinghamtOn, n. Y, for sam
pie bottle, absolutely free. When
writing be sure and, mention the
ClarIsburg Daily Telegram.
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-01-05
OF the Elections Held. If
Eight Towns in the Coun-
ty Of Harrison.

The only surprises In the results
of the eight municipal elections ended
in the county Thursday evening were
West Milford's action in voting to do
ava with itself as an incorporated
town and the Socialist victory at
Adamston.
At Adamston the entire Socialist
ticket won by good major1ties over
the Citizens Progressive ticket
headed by James C. Garrett, the
present mayor.
The vote was as follows:
Socialist ticket-Walter Boyles
for mayor 1877, c. H.. White for re-
corder 125 and for councilmen II.
T.. Bohlman 1872, Charles Schultz
1872, Samuel Powell 1872, Barney
Herman 1S1 and John w. Flanagan
1872.
Citizens Progressive ticket -
James G. Garrett for mayor 50, Will
lie Wolfe for recorder 81 and for
councilmen James NJ Fittro 81, c.
c. Price SO, BENJAMIN Powell SO,
L. D. Johnson go and George R.
Criss 81.
The vote at Adamston was not as
large as it might have been, some
persons being dissatisfied. because
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-01-05
NENllRIAL
oltitlofl IS to ia Made Par
tie Criminal Court
Records.

TIE next Term Of the criminal
Court II he county. She first order
placed on the records
siia dtaftsd follows:
the first day 81 January, 1919,
aiehael J. Francis, sheriff Of HART
son county departed this lie His
sudden death was grciyous shock
e the entire community The de-
ceased was IA the fifty7firsth year OF
his life He haa served exactly
Tree yeara iof his term as sherS. Il
III hss good man was loved by all
who knew him. His life both pri-
gately and officially, was above re-
proach Of criticism. He was honest,
faithful and kind.
This testimonial is spread upon
the records Of this court as testi-
moniai Of the worth Of Michael J.
Francis as saH officer Of this court
! and as a citizen Of the state. .
Judge Raymond Maxwell Of the
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-01-05
CANDIDATES
Will Be Initiated Tonight in
Reed Hall BY Maccabee
3a Knights.

clarksburg Tent No. 10 Of the
nights aef the Mascabees has rented
the D. K Deed hall on West Pike
street for every Friday night and will
hold It's meetings there. The tent
will meet tonight. install newly elect
ed officers and initiate a class Of can
didates. c. G. showaltef, Of Parkers-
burg, state commander of the order,
is in the city and will oticiate at the
meeting.
"A special effort will be made by
the members Of the tent to increase
its membership at least one hundred
during the current month. Thirty
two applications for membership were
approved during the last two weeks
Of December.
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-01-05
we'll FED PEOPLE
Get Along Best-Keep Your stomach

Get Along Best Keep Your stomach
Right.
Japan feeds her soldiers on good
American beef, and Bread says a
Philadelphia physician.
Well nourished soldiers fight best,
and well nourished people, always do
the oestSwork. Keep your steadcR
in good order with Ftnol, our deli
.etous cod liver and4iF6n remedy with7
out oil, and you VIM be strong.
Mrs. 10! Hgafackins OF New YORK
City says For weeks last spring I
had ne; appetite and poor digestion.
| knew my strength would fail If
did not build myself up so took
vinol, as recommended by friend.
''VinoI restored my appetite and
strengthened, my digestion so that 1
now eat heartily and enjoy my food.
It has done me heaps Of good"
Weak. nervous men and women and
sickly children all need vinol to give
them new strength and better blood.
We guarantee that vinol will do
this, and # IT does not help you
greatly We give back your money.
Stone and Mercer, Druggists. Clarks-
burg, W. Va.