The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-03-14
GOVERNMENT GIVES WARNING
AGAINST BOND SwINDLERS

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standard size paper appears today
(Tuesday) on bill-boards in every
state in the Union, and should be con-
strued as it is a personal message
j from the Government to every one
who has the good will Of his country
at heart.
Besides this message, the same leg
end in smaller type, but in the same
red ink and on the same white paper,
and covering but single sheet, APP
pears as small poster and adorns
store windows( the interiors of rail-
way stations, post-offices public
buildings, and are posted in conspic-
uous spots everywhere.
The legend reads as follows:
Warning
Liberty Bond Holders
"Any one who persuades you to
part with your Liberty Bonds makes
money at your expense,
~. S. Government Bonds are the
Worlds Best Investment.
"The spreading broadcast Of this
message by the Government has been
rendered necessary bcause of the eff
forts of INSCRIPTIONS dealers to per-
suad Liberty Bond holders to part with
their holdings by making misleading
offers.
Beware of the Sharks
In the downtown districts in all the
large cities have sprung up in the last
the windows of which appear signs
offering to purchase Liberty Bonds
and unpaid coupon books. Some Of
these places have suave and smiling
glad-handed men and women in charge
and their game is to dispose of worth
less or untried stocks in risky ven
lures for the best investment in the
world-United States Government
bonds. Others are willing to buy the
bonds and pay cash--but in many in
stances the discout is so great that the
sale, if made, would be at great sac
rifice.
In some of the places, offers to lend
money on Liberty Bonds are made.
But in many instances the rate OF in
terest, though made to look at casual
glance as reasonable, is sufficient to
eat up the principal in the course of
time, and leave nothing for the patrio-
tic investor in Government securities
and all for the Sharks" who prey on
the necessity Of the patriotic cltl-
zen for ready cash.
Market Protection
The Government recognizes the
need for market for Liberty Bonds.
IL recognizes the fact that in some
| instances misfortune has overtaken
the one who has made an investment
in good faith, spurrcd on by patrio--
tic motives, and that be must convert
| his holdings into cash fer present use.
For these presons the Government
Wishes the bond holders to know that
the Liberty Bonds have well-defined
market value. The New York Stock
lFxchange makes this price. That is
1.-The price that rules in all centers, and
THAT likes the value of the bonds. In
all cities there are reputable dealers
lwho pay the market price. The banks
know the ruling prices, and they will
lgladly give the public the market quo
ltations.
| 1t is to check this illicit and dishon-
est dealing in bonds that the Govern
ment is sending this warning broad
cast. The unpatriotic store that adj
vertises that it will dispose of tbs mer-
chandise for Liberty Bonds is seek
ling to undo the lessons of thrift that
the Government has sought to instill.
The obscure and inscriptions dealer,
who places his sign on the front of
his little shop, where he always con-
ducts some other business, and who
quotes no prices, but buys for as small
price as he can, and attempts to I'M
load worthless stocks Of bonds that
promise fabulous returns, are the ones
aimed at by the governmental crusade
against these illicit dealers.
Newspapers Recognize Evil
Just little thought should coivince
the untutored holder Of the bonds that
the attempt made to induce him to
part with them is an effort to- fleece
him.
The dealer could not afford to open
lup the establishment he is coRduct-
| ing for purchase of these bonds, he
could not pay his clerical help and the
cost of advertising, and all of the 9th
err expense incident to the conduct OF
any business unless all of the cost OF
this is borne by the holder OF the
bonds. The bonds have an established
price. The smallest holder can OBJ
tain the same price for them as the
shark who buys up at small cost thou
sands of the bonds. And if he sells
he must realize that he is helping to
pay the cost of this array of Illicit
dealers.
The great newspapers throughout
the country recognize the evil that
has attained such proportions and arc
refusing to admit to their advertis-
ing columns offers Of these unscru-
pulous dealers, and only those who
quote prices in plain figures are per-
mittcd to get their message before
their readers.
Investigation Assured
The War Loan Organization of the
Treasury Department has sent the fol-
lowing statement to all publications:
WATCH THE STOCK PEDDLERS
Readers: Get the names and ad-
dresses of al persons and companies
offering you speculative or doubtful
stocks and securities, particularly if
in exchange for your Liberty Bonds
or War Saving Stampg, with copies