New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-29
ITALIANS VICTIMS
OF new SWINDLE
Bogus Exemptions from
Military Service Sold
on Large Scale.

United States Attorney Marshall's
office in conjunction with the Italian
consulate, is investigating a scheme in
volving the use of the mails
whereby, it is declared, hundreds
parts of the country have been
swindled out of thousands of dollars
through the operations Of New York
gang which sells what purport to DO
warrants exempting the holder from
service in the Italian army in the event
OF his deciding to return home.
The price of these exemptions varied,
though 5000, the amount obtained from
Italians in Waterbury, Conn, where
one arrest was made under the state
laws, is understood to be the minimum.
The Waterbury Italian declared that
he was merely the agent of men in this
city to whom he forwarded all money
he collected minus the 10 per cent.
commission which it had been agreed
he should retain.
Investigation by officers Of the local
consulate brought out the fact that
members of the gang which had been
operating in other parts of the country
from headquarters in Lafayette AID
Mulberry SITS. had been advised of tFe
trouble in Connecticut and for the
present at least were "away on bust
ness"
In this gang are a number who have
been on the secret service lists as
suspected counterfeiters, and on the
books of the old Italian squad, prior
to its dissolution by former Police
Commissioner Waldo, as "Black Hand"
operators. There are records of arrests
against some of them but no conVlc-
tion of any serious crime.
Under the Italian law every male is
subject to military duty in one form or
another until he reaches middle life.
Many of the men who come here have
not served with the colors, and should
they return to Italy would have to do
their share. Because Of this many
who would otherwise return for visits
remain in this country.
To meet the demand raised by this
class the gang invented the certificate
granting the holder immunity. Printed
deliberately on very fine grade OF paper
and adorned with impressive seals,
these documents recited that the bear
er, having complied with certain for
malities, was thereafter exempt from
ali but volunteer service in the army
or navy. They also bore what pur-
ported to be the signature of the King
Of Italy.
Trade in these documents was fairly
good throughout Connecticut until
word came from an Italian who had
rome home that the Italian authori-
ties did not recognize the instruments
and insisted upon kis taking his place
with the colors. The seller explained
that there was some mistake, telling
others who had bought the papers that
those holding them could not be made
70 serve. These men, however, insist
ed that they we're interested in facts
ratber than theories and wanted their
money back. The local agent could not
give il back and the scheme was ex-
According to complaints made to the
I+aiian consulate in Lafayette st: con-
siderable number of ignorant Italians IN
nnstate cities and in the mining re-
IONS of Pennsylvania have been VIC
t;n,;zed by this swindle or similar ones
II has thus far been found almost I'M,
nossible to get evidence that would
p pend the swindlers to jail because OF
sSe fear of the victims to give testl-
mOTy.