davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
But They Still Doubt He
Has Made Millions
He Claims
BY HARRY B. HUNT

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6-Who
pays Ponzi? Who foots the bill for
the $8,500,O00 the young Boston fl
nancial wizard claims to have made in
eight months by manipulations in for
eign exchange and International Pos
tai Reply Coupons? Do any of Pom
zi's profits come out of Uncle Sam S
pockets?
who always pays in any transac-
ton between individuals or nations
when the paper or currency of one IS
deprecated in value?" countered
John Miller of the Postoffice Depart
ment. "Why the man or nation whose
paper is below par, of course" In
other words, the war-burdened tax
payers of European nations.
"Uncle Sam hasn't lost cent. Mel
ther has he made anything. But on
any coupons exchanged here, which
were bought abroad bv the exchange
of American money for French or
Italian money at current exchange
rates, there will be a loss to the coun-
try issuing the coupons when the
annual postal balance with the United
States is struck.
How it Works
Let US take Italian exchange as
an example An international Postal
Reply Coupon, costing six cents, Is
exchangeable in any country belong
ing to the international postal union
for a stamp which will carry letter
between countries belonging to the
union. In America that is a five-cent
stamp.
"Under normal rates of exchange
upon which international postal ac-
counts are based, dollar, when ex-
changed into Italian Ira, would pur-
chase only 16 or II coupons.
"Under exchange rates recently
prevailing, however, dollar of Am
erican money could be exchanged into
enough Ira to purchase about 70 cou-
pons.
'By sending these coupons to the
United States, redeeming them in D.
cent stamps, any person carrying on
such transactions, could get $3.75 IN
United States stamps for his original
dollar. He cannot redeem them
/, through the Postoffice Depart
ment for cash. Any conversion into
outside postoffice channels.
''In the balancing Of international
postal accounts, the United States
presents the coupons to the country
bv which they were sold, where they
are figured at the rate fixed under
the postal convention. Any loss that
is sustained, therefore, would be by
the issuing country.
Postal Chiefs Skeptical
Postal authorities, although admit
ting that theoretically Ponzi might
have been able to make 250 to 300
per cent by transactions in postal cou-
pons, confess their skepticism as to
any profits running into millions. The
total coupons redeemed in the United
States since the international postal
union was formed, they say amounts
to only about 1,225,OOO with value
of only $61,125.
A suggestion has been sent to the
headquarters of the union at Geneva,
SwitzerlandJ that figures covering
the total coupons issued to each coun-
try be compiled in an effort to deter
mine whether Ponzys transactions
could have been on the scale necessa-
ry to pile up eight millions in profits.
Figuring the possibility that he
could make So profit, on the average
for each 50 invested, he would have
had to handle some 260,000,000 cou-
DOns
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
2 Negroes Shooting Bats;
l Loses Arm; l Liberty

Forrest Milburn is in Jail and Pete
Harvey is minus his right hand today
as the result of a hunting jaunt in
which the two, both negroes, engag-
ed yesterday afternoon.
The boys, neither of whom is out
of his teens, went down near Mag
nolia Dell late Thursday and began
shooting bats which are said to be
found in large numbers in that part
of the city They had already shot
several of the birds, and Harvey
who has returned from Augusta, af-
ter working for the Planters Seed
Co. here, was engaged in killing a
wounded bat by striking the birds
head upon the barrel of his CUR
when he was shot.
According to Milburn, the shoot
ing was accidental. He says that as
Harvey drew back his arm, he show
ed she'll into the gun, and that il
was in some manner unknown to
him discharged, the load striking
Harvey's arm, inhicting a wounc
which necessitated amputation. Har
vev SAYS that Milburn shot him with
out cause, and a warrant was taker
out for Milburn's arrest by one Of
Harvey's relatives, and he was taker
into custody last night.
Another negro boy who was will
the hunters, says he thinks the gur
was discharged accidentally it wa
said today.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

DENVER, Aug. 6-Fear of rioting
by street car strike sympathizers and
strike breakers, which last night re-
suited in the death Of two persons
and injury of 81 would be resumed
was expressed in official circles to-
day. Volunteers for patrol duty to-
dav were resnonding to the call of the
mayor No attempt was made to op-
crate cars.
The mob began last night by wreck
ing street cars, turning then to the
office of the Denver Post, which
was partially wrecked and then di-
vided it's attention. among the city
hall, tramway building and car barns
in various parts of the city.
One of the men killed was shot
down near the south Denver car barn
which was still surrounded by large
mob after midnight. A. c. Smith, of
Denver, who was shot at the south
side car barn, later died.
Scores of passengers had been car
ried by street cars manned by armed
strike breakers yesterday for the first
time since the strike was called early
Sunday.
Chief of Police Armstrong and
eight or ten other policemen were in
jured, several seriously, in the riot
ing between the striking street car
men, their sympathizers and strike
breakers. Five street cars were wreck
ed.
The mob was gathered last night
in front of the Tramway building
where the strikebreakers were housed
but attempted no violence.
The rioting started when two cars
manned by strikebreakers were fore
ed to stop by motor truck on the
track While the cars were halted, a
parade of the strikers and sYmnathiZ-
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
SAYS HE TRADED IN
REPLY COUPONS.

Failure of the American and other
governments to keep pace with the
movements of foreign exchange en-
abled Charles Ponzi to get rich quick
at Boston.
Ponzi himself says he has made
S8,500,000 in less than eight months
He traded in foreign exchange, buy
ing Italian money and other Euro
pean money which is far under par
at tremendous discount.
This foreign money he sent to the
country in question and had it re-
turned to America in international
Reply Coupons" Under a pre-wal
agreement these can be redeemed in
the United States at par.
Some countries guarded against
such profit-taking in exchange. Brit.
ain, for example, had a postal mon
ey order convention with America
As soon as the British exchange fell
Britain slapped on a commission
fee which made every purchaser OF
money orders pay according to the
prevailing rate of exchange. The
United States and other nations ir
which Ponzi worked, however, failet
to take such steps.
And now the government is fran.
tically Investigating" Ponzi's trans.
actions through embassies and con.
sulates and foreign governments
while Ponzi smilingIy assists in the
probe.
Investors in Ponzi's project have
also drawn huge profits.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
Democrats Gather For
Notification of Cox

DAYTON, O., Aug. 6.-Demo-
cratic clans are gathering here today
for the great quadrennial event, the
presentation to the American cleo
toral tomorrow of the presidential
nominee, Governor Cox.
All is in readiness for the formal
notification by Senator Robinson.
Governor Cox was busy today get
ting his affairs in shape so as to be
ready after his address tomorrow
for unlimited campaigning until elec-
ton day.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
AMERICAN AIR SQUADRON
SHIFTED TO FRONT NEAR
CAPITAL, SCENE OF PERIL
Russian Reply to British Note Says Only Delay in
Negotiations is Arrival of Polish
Delegates at Minsk

WARSAW Aug. SO P. M)-(By Associated Pess)-The
defensive line of Warsaw has been pierced several places
cordng from the front Preparations have been begun for
transferring by the Rus
advance Officials still hope the Bolhevki will be checked
where Of the Vstula
Owing the desperate situation the front Warsaw
the Koscusko squadron composed largely of American flyers be-
ing transferred from the Southern front.
American consulate here will be closed Friday Consul Ran
king making preparations depart Friday night Most of the records
already have been shipped The American legation also prepared
to close within few days
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
VETS Ask Supreme
Court to Rule Again

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-Wil.
liam D. Guthrie and Elihu Root
counsel for Christian Feigenspain,
the Newark, N. j., brewer, today
filed with the United States Su-
preme court petition for reconsld-
Grafton of the courts decision sus-
tanning the validity of the eighteenth
amendment and parts of the Volstead
enforcement law. The petition calls
attention to the Importance and mag
nitude of the constitutional questions
involved.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
Who Pays Ponzi? Europe, If
Anyone, Say Postal Chiefs
Ponzi, Poor, Landed
AT Mobile in 1912

MOBILIZE Ala, Aug. CHARLES
Ponzi, Boston's bushel basket mil
lionaire, landed in Mobile eight
years ago from Italy aboard a
steamer on which he had worked
his passage as a painter. This fact
was established when friends here
identified him by portrait of
Ponzi published in a newspaper.
A photograph of Ponzi in posses
sion of Mrs. E. o. Ponis at whose
house the penniless Ponzi worked
for time for his board and ke"p,
proved an exact replica.
Ponzi, during the two years fol-
lowing his arrival here, was libra
rian at the Alabama Medical Col
lege, and is remembered by form
er members of the faculty, practic-
ing physicians and persons who be-
friended him in his poverty, as an
intelligent, Industrious individual
with an excellent flow of English,
whose chief ambition was to be-
come a millionaire.
He was dismissed from the. col
lege, investigation proved, along
with member of the faculty, for
revealing the contents of a letter,
it is alleged, involving college pol
icies. 1t was then he was taken
into the household of Mrs. Ponis.
In rags and with SO cents in his
pockets, Mrs. Ponis declared, Pom
ri finally left for New Orleans,
where she heard he went to work
as a sign painter. When Italy sign
ed the pact of London and entered
the World War against Germany
he wrote friends here he was GO
ing home to fight. That was the
last heard of him in Mobile.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
MOB BENT ON
AVENGING q MURDERS.

ST LOUIS, August 6.-Five men
are reported to have been killed,
MANY injured and several homes of
foreign residents fired last night in
West Frankfort, H., 104 miles south
of st. Louis, by mob bent IN aveng-
ig tie murder of Amiel Calcaterra,
I19 years old and Tony HempeI, 18,
both of West Frankfort, who's bodies
were found near there yesterday.
All of the deaths are reported to
be the result of beating administered
by the mob, which according to re-
ports, was driving the foreign pop
ulation of West Frankfort out of
town.
None of the dead have been identi-
fed but it is said they are all foreign
ers with the exception of one, q
photographer, who attempted to take
pictures of the mob. According to
reports, he was kicked to death and
his camera demolished.
The rioting began yesterday af-
ternoon, when the mob, said to num-
Der more than 5000 was frustrated
in attempts to get hold of three sus-
poets held in connection with the
murders which authorities believe
were committed on account of in
formation, they said Amiel Calca-
terra and Tony Hempel had of nu'
merous robberies committed by ar
organized band in southern Illinois.
! The attack of the mob is report
ed to have centered on the foreign
residents.
More than forty foreigners are
said to have been be2ten. After the
rioting had been in progress several
! hours, some one set fire to the home
of Settenino de Seusis one of the sus,
poets, and after this, according to
reports, the firing of houses became
general.
Advices from towns adjacent to
West Frankfort are that the city Of
fcials who wired for the state mill
tia have been given "a hours tC
leave.
Late last night the mob begar
setting fire to the homes in Frank
fort Heights, section occupied BY
foreigners, according to reports
reaching here.
Other homes, throughout the town
also were fired it was said.
The rioting started, according tc
the message, when the second anc
third suspects were arrested in con
nection with the murders.
The mob, hastily organized, storm
ed the jail, demanding the prisoners
When this was refused, they demand
ed that a committee chosen from
among their members be allowed tc
talk to the prisoners.
The authorities granted this de
mand and one of the prisoners who is
a chauffeur, is said to have informed
his questioners that he drove Calca-
terra and Hempel to Royalton Mon
day in company with Sentenino de:
Sensis, who also is held IN connec'
tion with the murder.
The committee then withdrew from
the jail and the two prisoners were
hastily removed by the authorities
The mob is reported to have divided
and started for nearby towns, where
it is believed that Sensis and the two
other suspects were taken.
West Frankfort is in the southern
| Illinois coal region and had been cu'
off from telephone communication
for sometime on account of labor
trouble and only meagre information
is available.
Foreigners are reported to b,
/ leaving West Frankfort and Marion
by every road, carrying what house
hold goods they can, and in many in
stances driving cattle ahead of them
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
Missouri C. 0. P. Names
2 Negroes For Assembly

ST. LOUIS, August 6.-Two ne
groes won Republican nominations
for the state legislature from St.
Louis in the primary election. They
are Langdon Harrison and W. M.
Moore, of the third and sixth dis
tricts, respectively.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
SKILLED IN RIOT
AGAINST ALIENS
in ILLINOIS TOWN
5000 Foreigners Leave
West Frankfort Mill
tia on Job

WEST FRANKFORT, Ills, August
6.-Following a night of rioting, in
which five persons are believed to
have been killed and scores injured,
comparative quiet was restored to-
day. Approximately five thousand
foreigners, against whom the rioters
| directed their attacks, had left town,
This, coupled with the arrival of $50
militiamen, tended to bring about
order. A number of homes were
burned and a pool room wrecked.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
PHOTOGRAPHER SWAPPING
MOB BEATEN TO DEATH.

BAKDERBALE, us, August g.
A photographer who attempted to
take pictures of the riot in West
Frankfort last night was beaten to
death by the mob, according to a
message received at the Illinois Cen
'tral office here from the company's
telegraph station at West Frankfort.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
CAMP GORDON IS
ORDERED CLOSED
Fifth Division to Be
Transferred to Camp
Jackson

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6-Instruc-
tions have been given the general
commanding the Southeastern de-
partment to abandon the salvage
camp, Camp Gordon, near Atlanta,
the war department announced to-
day. The Fifth division now sta
toned there will be transferred to
Camp Jackson, Columbia, S. C.
About twenty-four troops now are
at Camp Gordon.
John K. Webb of Sumter is a
prominent visitor in Americus to-
day.
Rats in the United States destroy
5000, 100000 worth of property an
nually.
Carborundum, the artificial substi-
tue for emery, is said to rival the dia-
mond in hardness.
The custom of hanging bells on a
cows neck was prevalent as far back
as the Roman era.
The pope's personal expenses av-
erage little more than $500 year.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
Famous Goldfield
Now Town of l 1858

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-Census
figures given out today include:
Goldfeld, New, 1853, a decrease
of 67.7 per cent.
State of Rhode Island, 604, 1897, ar
increase of 11.4 per cent.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
RUSSIANS AWAIT POLISH DELEGATE!

LONDON Aug. 6Leo Kamenef of the Russian Soviet del
egaon here Premier Lloyd George last night long communi
giving Russia reply the British The reply the
object the of negotiations the absence of the Polish
delegates whose arrival Mn the Soviet authorities awaiting
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
SUPPLIES SUFFICIENT FOR S YEARS

WASHINGTON Aug. 6-(By Associated Press)-Sovet Rus
possession of sufficient munitions five of
warfare the scale that being conducted Poland
cordng of military authorities here today The munitions
of supplies furnished by the Allied governments
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

And postal authorities here de-
clare they do not believe that many
coupons have been issued since the
postal union was formed. Anyhow
they say they're going to find out.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

The Office of the Red Cross chapter
in the postoffice building is now
closed and will remain so until Aug
nst 9, when Miss Ruth Clark, the
secretary in charge, returns from her
vacation.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
Weather

Forecast for Georgia-Partly
cloudy tonight and Saturday; prob
ably with occasional showers.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

The world uses between three and
four million needles daily.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06
OLYMPIC MEN
in NEAR MUTINY
Hold Indignation Meet
ing Aboard Ship on
Way To Games
STEAMSHIP

ABOARD THE STEAMSHIP
PRINCESS MATOIKA, Aug. g.
(Wireless to the Associated Press.)
Discomfort among the bembers of
the American Olympic team aboard
this steamer resulted in the holding
today of an indignation meeting at
which a committee was appointed to
confer with the officials regarding
future arrangements
Mr.. and Mrs. W. L. Dupree and
family went over to Macon this morn
ing for a visit of several days to
relatives in that city.
H. H. Jarrard, who has been visit
ing friends and relatives here during
the past week, returned this after
noon to his home in Atlanta.
E. W. Strange returned this after
noon to Ellaville, after spending the
day in Americus.
Miss Eunice Reeves who has been
the guest of Mrs. D. A. Carmichael
returned today to her home in At
lanta
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

Twenty thousand people are said to
be homeless in Budapest.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

The pope's personal expenses aY-
erage little more than $500 year.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

Rats in the United States destroy
5000, 100000 worth of property an
nually.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-06

John K. Webb of Sumter is
prominent visitor in Americas to-
| day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-07
LEAGUE WILL TAKE
ITS FIRST STEPS
AT ROME MEETING
Efforts Will Be Made to Car
ry Out Provisions Of Cove
nant Creating Body.

fuii program awaits attention of
The council OF the league Of nations.
due To assemble in Rome MAY "a far
the fifth meeting. An outline of prep
arations for the meeting received here
shows that FIRST steps are TO be taken
toward carrying out such provisions OF
the league covenant as international
disarmament. publication OF all trea-
ties entered into by league members.
plans Tor the first meeting Of the
league assembly. admission OF new
members and many other matters.
Procedure Ii Outlined.
The method of presenting these
questions to the eight members of
thr council has been worked out very
fully and much data assembled by
the permanent staff about which dis
eussion viii center. Suggested courses
of action also have been outlined and
L" insure adequate presentation OF
Surh subject an ARRANGEMENT has been
perfected under which it will be the
duty of a particular member Of the
council to familiariZe himself in ad-
vance with data on each specified
question and to lead the consideration
of that question when il is called up
Under this plan the French rep
resentative on the council will he
responsible for discussion as to ar
ticle ~. which provides for creation
of permanent commission to advise
The league on military and naval
matters generally and supervise ac-
ton toward international disarma-
ment or limitation of ornaments. The
British member has particularly
questioned regarding the permanent
organization of the secretarial staff
OF the league: the brazilian. steps
toward suppressing internationally
the traffic in women and children.
and the japanese member. consdera-
tion of the report OF the Washington
la Dor conference.
Budget matters of the league in
Guiding the determination of the ME-
dunn of exchange. whether dollars,
pounds sterling. francs or what other
units m which calculation of money
are to be made in future. have been
made especially the province of the
Spanish representative.
In some instances. all league mem
berS and even nations outside the
league structure have been circular
lied already with requests for in
formation bearing on questions TO
come before the council. In approach
ing problems to be taken up by the
special economic conference 10 be
held at Brussels. May %, preparation
went even to the extent of submitting
to all powers a full QUESTIONABLE
The United States government re-
ceived one of these, but il is NOT
known what reply was made.
The information sought was not
such as is usually regarded as con-
fidential by a government. but mere.
~ called for placing in STANDARDIZED
form figures as to trade ana othef
matters which. as rule. are con
tanned in routine government repor's.