The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-08-10
IS BOASTFUL
OF HOW He FOOLED
STATE AUTHORITIES
Continued From First Page.)

and part of the 81 500, 900 Is assigned
to cover his shortage.
For the last tw odays the Hanover
Trust has paid out 100000 a day on
Ponzi checks.
Hot air, all hot air, 1 gave him
hot air and I shall give him more
of 1t IL he wishes; 1 shall ball him
up more and more" Thus spake
Charles Ponzi as he sat in a weak
legged chair-the ONLY one in the
vacated office of the e. and Il. Con-
etruction Company on the tenth
floor of the Hanover Trust Building,
at No. 26s Washington Street
when commenting on the alleged
facts he had give to Attorney Gen
eral Allen OF Massachusetts. Concern
ing his transactions in foreign ex-
change Joseph c. Allen, Bank Com
missioner of Massachusetts had just
ordered payments on all Ponzi
checks stopped, and newsboys below
were yelling: "Ponzi fails!" "Ponzi
fails!" "Ponzi bankrupt"
After what l have told Mr.. Allen,
ne stops my business and all the
poor people who have given me their
money cannot get 1t back because
he ties UP my money not only here,
but in New Hampshire, New Jersey,
everywhere" continued the financial
wizard.
my genius 1t Is not appreciated.
You gentlemen all know whatever
else am, am not a damn fool.
give them bull-much bull. And
say IL could not meet my liabilities
would have what you cay in Eng
nsh flew de coop two weeks ago"
Eyes" said a reporter, you wanted
30 flew de coop, but you couldn't
get your passports"
What" gasped the little italian
waiter dishwasher banker financial
wizard as his jay dropped. He started.
Eyes, yes. Oh, yes, wanted to go
La Bella Italia to see my old mother.
near Parma, now that was rich, but
the business was so good-oh. so many
hundreds of thousands OF Ira. They
come every day easy, easy-like-a
dat You know 1 could not go. Now
the Government IL spoil the trip, and
have my old mamma come to me.
II Is so nice To nave her.
THE public officials they are not
ethical at all. They try TO find out
all about me. 1t Is not fair"
WAS 1t ethical to bull the Attor-
ney General?"
'Ah, signor, that Is another ques-
ton. This Is free country. He try to
ball me up and l bali him up. Is 1t
not fair? i shall do 1t again. Yes, 1
give him Tbuh'-plenty Of It. And
give bull any time 1t suits me when
they try to ball me up.
but 1 am solvent, gentlemen" he
continued after a slight pause In
which he blew the cigarette butt from
the holder and slowly Bnuffed 1t out
under the toe Of an immaculate buck
skin Oxford. He reached to the floor
for @. cold bottle of ginger ale, but as
he did so a deferential hanger on
gently took IL from his hand, opened
It for him and handed the drink In 6.
g4nSS-
He was the picture of a vaudeville
motor sitting in the wings between
acts On his right ring finger flashed
q EalDdy diamond. His ehErt pro-
claimed Itself silk and the Palm Beach
suit was not smart but natty
INSISTS HIS ASSETS EXCEEDS
HIS LIABILITIES.
my obligations are $500, 900 and my
,mssets are much more" he continued.
fright here in this bank Che pointed
downward with his fore finger to the
Hanover Trust Company on the first
f1oor) have $1,5O0,OO0 in cash, but
they will not let me touch 1t. have
now on my person in this little ba 6
another 1880, 900 in securities"
Then why don't you pay your
claims with that?" was asked
"Ah, slgnor, that is my secret l
have my reasons. Charlie PonA IS
no damn fool, wllat?''
THAT you are not" a reporter an
swered.
"You bet Nobody knows Charlie
Pencils business better than himself.
Don't you fool yourself about that
signoT. You treat me nice-I treat
you nice. When l open my business
again you put all your money with
me. And make 1t grow, grow, grow
millions That is Charlie Ponzi-me
and the newspaper boys are for the
people. We are not the autocracy.
THE autocracy stop my business
becaJ q / earn big money for the
people and they cannot. Is IT not
so? Thsy are what you call Jealous
Of Ponzi. Some day the people will
rise"
Here one could not help thinking
of the early days of his notoriety
when he passed along Washington
and fremont Streets and threw
kisses TO the yelping mobs that fol-
lowed and lined the sidewalks 70
have a glimpse of the new wizard.
"And now what win Signor Ponzi
do since the autocracy has put it's