South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-10
AMERICAN SAVES
MEXICAN MONEY
GOLD RESERVES
Bruno Newman Wins Fame
by Trick Which Maintains
Currency Standard.
- RALPH d. TURNER.

MEXICO CITY June 9.-Among
the heroes OF MexicO's latest revo-
luton record the name OF Bruno
Newman, an American importer
and exI orter. who has made Mexi-
90 his home for the past 20 years.
Newman, IN his claim 20 fame, Is
Indebted 20 the avaricious designs
or Senior Venustiano Carranza and
the men who composed his govern
ment. When Carranza decided up
on his fateful hght toward Vera
Cruz he reasoned, evidently, that In
asmuch as he was moving his gov
eminent he should also move all the
loose change that was lying about
the capital.
one Of tho first sources OF funos
he recalled was the million or so
pesos In gold which had been de-
posted IN trust TO guarantee the is
sue or paper money. The cham
bers Of commerce OF Mexico had
backed this issue on the condition
that one peso of gold should be de-
posted for every peso OF paper that
was printed. and the gold was 10
be Kept IT. a strong box under the
supervision OF a committee which
1ne chambers appointed. Newman,
as a member OF the executive com
lnittee Of the American chamber or
49, vas oPPo4HISu ~ tA1
committee.
Knew safe Combination.
Newman also was bne Of two
men, each Of whom possessed half
OF the combination that opened the
safe containing the gold.
Early on the evening OF Carran-
gas flight, an agent from the depart
men; OF the treasury notified the
committee that IL should turn over
the funds t. the government au-
thorities. ne explained that the gov
eminent. in moving to Vera Cruz.
was taking all government archives
and funds and that the money rep
resenting the paper issue also
should be carried along as a matter
OF course. A lengthy debate fol-
lowed. The cOmmittee demurred.
hut IL was growing late and the gov
eminent agent became insistent. BY
this time several other officials had
arrived 10 afford moral support, or
any other kind that might be need
ed The situation was delicate. The
Mexican member Of the committee
who possessed One-half OF the com
bination 10 the safe weakened and
produced the mystic code. II was
up 70 Newman TO produce his half.
"All right" said Newman, apLar-
emily surrendering, I'll get you the
combination. It's in my desk.
Makes Escape
Newman moved 20 a rear office.
The government officials, In a jubil-
ant mood. awaited his return. En-
tering MS office and closing the
door. Newman first seized the books
containing the records Of the none
tary commission. the official name
OF the committee which had backed
the paper issue and assumed control
of the gold equivalent Placing the
books under his arm, Newman con-
sumed about 80 seconds in climbing
out OF a window and into the street.
Hurrying 10 a hiding place, he tele-
phOned his family 10 spend the
night with friends in another part
OF town. The American spent the
night I'm his place of refuge.
The Carranza official waited for
Newman's return with the combina-
ton 10 the safe. Suspicious over
the delay, they soon discovered his
fiight--but too late, the villains had
been foiled. Jack Dalton had made
his getaway Curtain!
Newman ventured into the streets
when the last OF the Carranza trains
left toward Vera Cruz. Today, as
the result Of an Americans daring
and quick thinking, Mexican paper
money is still accepted at par. The
gold is still behind It.