The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-03-21
SHEPHERD PLANS NATIONAL
WAR ON THE LOAN SHARKS
Asks Prosecutors Of Every City
To Join In Putting Usurers
Out Of Business


Prosecutor Hugh Shepherd, who
started q campaign against the loan
sharks OF Detroit. some weeks ago,
and IL still after them, has sent out
the following letter to the prosecute
ing attorneys of every city OF the
country. asking them to join In pa-
tionai war TO exterminate the offend
ers, pointing out that many OF the
operators have ofices in many differ.
emit cities, making regular chain OF
loan agencies:
Az prosecuting attorney, and with
the aid OF the press. have uncovered
here at Detroit an evil which Tor Tar
reaching results and terrible conse-
Quences almost surpasses human
credulity. refer TO what Is commonly
known as the loan shark trafhc, or the
sucking or human blood through IN
speakable methods by human vampires.
And TO my establishment / md that
these human monsters have national
organization with Its tentacles reaeh-
ing into every city OF this country.
York, / am creditably Informed owns
loan shark offices in % cities.
With the aid OF the press and our
criminal and usury laws, ] have been
business here, and have brought TO
light many things that have been done
with impunity which are disgrace 70
any civilized community. We nave
convicted ten OF the rascals, and eN-
pect to convict several more In the
very near future. Twenty-one con-
Germs In all were sucking the ire.
blood from perhaps thirty thousana
,2hem twenty days ago Several or
these concerns now have gone out or
Business, and all are glad TO settle
with their victims on the basis or re-
payment OF principal only.
Ii is safe TO say, therefore, that our
work TO date has saved the poor ana
helpless of Detroit $3ee, 0o0r We have
accomplished these results largely by
my letting the victims know that this
ofice would represent them free of
charge when sued by loan shark.
This find 10 be my greatest weapon
Most OF the victims are too poor TO
employ q lawyer, and therefore let
their cases go by default when sued
The sharks afe -fHliy-awaFe- eftAe
fact that when the prosecuting attor-
ney appears for the victim they VIII
than their principal. This usually cuts
down the claim by more than nifty per
cent
sands nu Of dollars 70 the poor Of your
city by letting them know that you
will appear for them as the peoples
attorney and that II will not cost them
anything for legal services. II is safe
10 say that the press OF your city will
support you to the limit
]. therefore. urge you to take up this
line of action at once. am writing
sort OF general crusade against these
human vampires, as l realize that a
most thorough cleaning out in a few
cities would be only drop in the
proportions. II, for example. the
heartlcss brute who has offices in SO
cities, could be attacked from SO angles
Mt once, the results would be effective,
from his palatial home by attacking
him In two or three places. II you
have a criminal law on usury as we
have In Michigan, you. Of course, can
under your ordinary usury law you can
deprive these vampires OF all their
interest. and they will be glad TO get
back only their principal This would
certed action throughout the United
States. of many millions Of dollars to
those who need IL most.
i beg OF you, therefore, in the inter- |
ests OF the poor and unfortunate OF |.
your city, Immediately TO consult the |
press and start such movement as |
have here, by letting the victims know
that you will represent them as their |
aNtOFHtg IN all SUITS
started by loan sharks. / am writing
similar appeal 10 the prosecutor OF
every city In the United States
II you have any suggestions looking
towards national organization for
the purpose OF fighting this national
evil. would Nike TO receive the Same.
and be assured / stand ready TO CO.
operate with my time and my money in
promoting such an organization"
Thomas H. Perry, OF the Mutual
Loan Co., fined 500 by Justice Stein,
Tuesday, for having charged an ex-
brilliant rate of interest on a loan,
got another body blow in Justice Com
mand's court. Wednesday afternoon.
Perry sued George Leigh, surety on
q SIS loan TO Thomas Stark Toe
court learned that Perry had taken
out a writ of punishment against
Leigh's wages, and he advised Perry's
attorney to withdraw the garnishs &c
at once. The advice was
not acted on, so Justice Command
gave judgment for the defendant. Tho
court remarked that a mans position
was placed in jeopardy when he vrs
and said he wouldn't tol- |
brate such action by loan sharks, a. I
though the law gave them a right TO
10 so.