Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-05

states longer time is set. In practically
every state the penalty for forgery is heavy.
In the District of Columbia check artists
and bad check reformers are both very &C
tive There is no definite law penalizing
presentation of bad checks in the District.
The matter is largely covered by general
laws on larceny and misdemeanors, but the
general opinion is that a specific law would
better conditions.
Washington has for some years been one
of the favorite haunts of check artists.
Right now about eighty men and women
are under indictment for passing bogus
checks in Washington. Yet the number of
war workers engaged in this business has
not been excessive, according to the Wash
ington detective bureau. That is, the in
crease in bad check cases during the war
has been in fair proportion to WashingtOn's
increase in population.
The uniform is used as cloak for all
sorts of check schemes. Two professionals,
for instance, toured the cou~ try for some
time dressed as United States soldiers. One
would offer check in payment for pur-
chase. While the shop keeper looked it
over. the other soldier would step up,
stating that he a recruiting officer.
and offer to indorse the check and vouch
for the boys character.
Thes2 crooks among man, others, were
pursued through the bullentin of the mer-
chants credit association, and through
retail credit bureaus. The retail dealers
credit rating bureau is, one business man
puts it, the Bradstreet of the retail mer-
chant. 1t is a local affair. central store
house of credit information for the city,
where the merchant can obtain facts as to
the standing of John Doe and his wife if
they have had any experience with checks
or other forms of credit.
The problem of the merchant is to as
certain the value of a check while the GUS
toner waits. The function of the central
credit bureau is to furnish the customer S
rating instantly. These central bureaus are
being established in various cities. They
claim never to express an opinion on any
individuals character finances, and to
keep their records strictly confidential
Bad check operators, persons who are
not good pay, persons who skip without
paying their bills reported each night
to the central credit station and the mer-
chants of the city are warned in the next
days bulletin. These daily bulletins of To-
cal bureaus are Simply .nImeographai 7. n
oranda reporting local credit news of the
day before. They are sent out to all the
merchants, bankers, doctors, lawyers, and
other business and professional men who
bel ng TO the credit association. The work
of tn credit bureaus is said in many towns
to be extremely 80 tive
The final and LOGICAL outcome of the bad
check deals is that the public pays Not
that the merchant who finds that he has
been Gated out of ten dollars Immediately
adds ten dollars to the price of coat in
his window. But the merchant deposits the
worthless check. 1t comes back and the
mefchant has to SUI the sum from his
balance in the bank. 1t becomes part of his
oVerhe%1 expense, and is included in his
! estimate when he fixes prices to make his
percentage of profit.
Thus it behOoves all of us interested in
lowering the high cost of living to cooper
ate with, those who agitating bad check
reform. Merchants and bankers are not so
eager to apprehend check artists still at
large as to discourage further passing of
bad checks.
Enforcement of state laws, establishment
OF credit rating bureaus, and help from
the public are all said by merchants to be
essential if the check is to become the sacred
institution that business men would have it.
The public is asked by the merchants to
be careful in making ut checks not to
leave room for figures to be raised. It is
asked not to leave checks lying around, not
to get excited if quizzed as to it's identity
and finances when credit is asked, and.
most important of all, so far as bad checks
are concerned, it is earnestly req to
keep tab on its bank balance