The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-07-29
CURB BUYS 10000
BOGUS STOCK SHARES
Trap Is Set for Willy Forger,
but He Escapes Detec-
tive in Auto.
OPERATE IN MANY CITIES
Swindlers Fleece So Many Vic.
tins in San Francisco That
Fraud Is Discovered.

Some details Of big forgery of stock
certificates that affected quotations on
the New York curb market were given
last night by J. C. Weir OF Weir Bros. 4
Co. 25 Broad street. at his home. lc3
West Seventy second street.
He told how n plant to catch members
Of the gang failed because one Of the
men got away right under the eyes Of a
detective.
pah North Star Mining Company. which
has its transfer Office In San Francisco.
According to Mr.. Weir the forgery was
Of two kinds. In one case 100 share GER
tiicates were raised TO 1000 shares and
in the other the shares were reproduced
at their face values. 1t is understood
that New York brokers had been caught
for 10000 shares before Mr.. Weir dis
covered the forgery last Friday. when he
got n telegram OF warning from San
Francisco.
When he discovered that forged certifi-
Gates OF the North star stock. which re-.
Gently Jumped from 90 cents a share here
went to Police Headquarters A detective
was put on the case and a trap was ar
ranged. One man who had been selling
the stock had made an arrangement with
Weir Bros. TO call at their Office and
make a deal. The detective hxed up an
envelope supposed to contain check and
had It ready.
At . o'clock yesterday afternoon. when
the man was to be there. messenger boy
appeared instead With a written order for
the check The envelope was given to him
and he left the ONCE followed by the de-
tective.
At Broadway and Spring street the
messenger was met by we'll dressed man
who took the envelope from him. Then
Just as the detective was about to grab
him he jumped into a waiting taxicab
and sped away. The detective chased him
on foot. but lost him in the trafnc.
Last night MIR. Weir said that Pinker-
ton detectives had been employed by the
North Star Company and they were aid.
ing the Central once men In the search
for the fellow who escaped.
II Is supposed that the forgery was
carried through by band who are known
to secret service men In all parts Of the
world. The Federal authorities are ex-
pected to Join In the hunt.
swindle Discovered In Weat.
The forgers did not operate in New
York alone but got lot Of victims In
Chicago and San Francisco. In the lat
ter place they did a big business and that
led to the detection Of the swindle.
So many certificates were sent to the
transfer oflice that the officials grew sus-
picious and hired an expert. who affirmed
the forgery. Then they wired to Weir
Bros. and others who were interested In
the stock. but not in time to prevent its
wholesale Notation here and In Chicago.
Mr.. Weir said that the forgery was as
near perfect as anything he had ever
seen. He examined the certificate.
through a microscope and found that the
names OF the officers and OF brokers' guar
antees on TIE back were an well done as
the face and the seal OF the company.
He said that the North Star Company
had issued 100000 shares OF stock.
which had risen In value recently follow
ing the discovery Of vein Of ore on the
property. He added that the market value
Of the stock had declined several points
In the last few days owing to the flood Of
forged certificates dumped on the curb.
Deputy Commissioner Dougherty and
Inspector Faurot denied last night that
the police had been called into any such
case. They said they had no men out
on II and knew nothing OF II.