The Washington herald., 1913-01-12
COUNTERFEITERS; THEIR WAYS TOLD BY
NEW CHIEF OF u. S. SECRET SERVICE
William ]. Flynn Relates His Experiences
with Spurious Coin Makers Story of John
DaviS-HOw Black Handlers Work.

counterfeit is occasionally taken in at
some bank, which shows that a few of
the notes are still in circulation.
How the Black Hand Works.
Your predecessor, Mr.. Wilkie," / re-
marked. "says you have done more to
break up the Black Hand organization in
New York than has any other detective? ?"
THAT was kind of Mr.. WlllSie, but the
Black Hand is still murderous and busy.
The Luppo-Morella gang were also black
mailers, robbers, and eassassins. They
committed 1 am sure, at least twenty
five murders. The Black Hand is caus-
ing the police of all large cities a great
deal of trouble. Luppo killed a man IN
Italy and then fed The country. He was
tried, though absent, convicted. and sem
fenced to prison for seventeen years.
That is done right along in Italy. An
accused person. even IL he is not in
custody, can be put on trial, and II
found guilty, can be condemned 10 the
penitentiary.
''Morella was a forger. He also es-
capped from Italy. Both men found their
way to the United States. They were
criminals, you see, in the old country,
and continued as criminals after reach
ing America. Practically all 1. Black
Handlers are of the same type. They
leave Italy after their release from
prison or to escape prison and coming TO
this country rob and blackmail those
Italians who are making an honest liv-
ing. Often they turn murderers simply
to terrorize their intended victims or TO
close the mouths of persons who know
damaging things about them. Their cap
ture. because of the fear they inspire, is
very difficult.
Several small tradesmen, neighbors,
perhaps, to show common practice
among Black Handlers. will receive let
tiers on the same morning. They are
ordered to pay a certain person or So
ciety 800 or have their stores or shops
blown up with dynamite. Usually they
live back or just over their places OF
business. The bomb that destroys their
property. therefore, will also. in all prob
ability, injure or kill their families. They
are badly frightened. The logical thing
under such circumstances would be TO
call in the police. But the panic of the
shopkeepers is so great that thew begin
to get their money ready. Tney may be
assassinated, they understand. If they
attempt any measures against the black
mailers.
A Black Hand Leader Appears.
Then in a day or two a stranger ap-
pears among them. He talks in their
o"h uiSCuSEtS
and presently he mentions the extortions.
and murders of the Black Hand
Orga niZation. The merchants realize at
once that he is a Black Hand leader
They know exactly what Is expected.
So they give him the letters and begin
negotiations. They plead poverty. One
hundred dollars apiece is more money
than they possess. The stranger takes
the letters. saying that as a favor to
them he will bargain with the man who
has authority to reduce the payment
On his return, they are assured that $50
each will close the transaCtio He
pockets the money and walks out The
victims never say a word. They are
glad to escape with their lives. II they
should refuse to he blackmailed, a bomb
the explosion. that they have mighty
poor judgment in certain matters OF
diplomacy and business"
Tell me the story OF John Davis, the
English counterfeiter." I said
From my point of view Mr. Flynn
answered" John Davis is a remarkable
character. There are men who excel
him as photographers, or as etchers. or
as engravers. but he is the abIest ALL
around counterfeiter in the world. More
over, aside from his skill as a mechanic,
he is very shrewd and resourceful in
lividual. l am glad 10 say that a SEN
tence OF thirteen years necessitated an
involuntary retirement from his Gus
tomary employment. He is now safe
within the walls of the Atlanta peni-
Tertiary. Some day he will reg1h his
liberty and l feel sure he will come
straight to Washington and call on me.
We met each other twice under peculiar
His case, let me add, is
one of the biggest and most interesting
hat has occurred within my experience.
Copied Old Brockway's Plan.
About fourteen years ago a counter
'eit so note was put in CIRCULATION at
1 race track near the city of New York.
The scheme was similar to the one origi- |
mated many years ago by William Brock
way, who studied chemistry at Yale
University, and later ranked first among
he counterfeiters OF his time. Brock
way planned to make bets of SIS through
'onfederates on special day at all the
ace tracks in the United States, and get
good money in change for the bills of a
arge denomination, which he had lust
Brockway's plan failed.
he was caught before he could put IL
nto execution. The one tried later by
Davis, the copy, you understand, was