The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-03-04
VIGILANCE MEN AFTER
CET-RICH-QUICK PEOPLE
Richard H. Lee, Special Counsel for the
National Vigilance Committee,
Tells Some of the
Games,

Ingenious use Of advertising schemes
BY get-rich quick" men are being run
down by the national vigilance com.
mittee of the Associated Advertising
Clubs of the World, which keeps a
corps of men at this work almost con-
stantly. Richard II Lee special coun-
sci of the committee, who superyises
the work tells many stories d conf
dence men and the methods used TO
combat and convict them.
One man, he says, formed league
Of automobile users The league issued
price list of accessories, all quoted
less than possible for the manufactr-
er to make them When member
ordered an article, another was substi-
tuted and circular letter explained
that because of the great demand, the
factory was behind in its orders. In
some cases the substitution was at
tributed TO the rareness of the object
desired. The substitute was cheap
affair. made for the head of the league,
but the member was satisfied, tempo
rarily at least, by the explanation that
while its price was higher than that
ordered, the league would sell it TO b i
for the same sum.
This man built up good reputation
by means of preferred customers,
whom Mr.. Lee describes as plants,
who innocently furthered the designs
of the swindler A group of these men
was established in each town where
the league did business.
As an illustration. Mr.. Lee cites the
case of one OF the most prominent sur
geons in an Ohio city, who was per
suaded to Join tNe league. He bought
\ tire. which an agent obtained from a
local dealer at the usual retail price,
and then held until the proper time
had elapsed for shipment from head
quarters The doctor was delighted
In a few DAYS the agent dropped around
TO see him and asked how the tire was
holding up. On inspection the agent
found an imaginary flaw. and insisted
upon replacing the tire with new one
also bought at the usual retail price.
He left the supposedly defective tire
saving that the doctor could use 1t as
. spare and refused further pay
ment
III YOU really feel so grateful, doe
tor" he said, write the Old Man a
letter about it and tell him how You
feel
The letter was used for advertising
purposes.
Not one. but many companies.
brought suit against the league. with
cut success. for the defendant would
nut his preferred" customers, all men
Of unquestioned reputation. on the
stand. and the case would be dis
missed
This man reduced circular letter writ
ing to a science. He dictated set OF
circular letters answering every con
ceiyable sort Of question pertaining to
his business. indeXed them and then
dismissed the greater part Of his cler-
ical force.
Mr.. Lee told one amusing result.
customer complained that drip pan
Was missing from a shipment. The IN
experienced girl who answered the com
plaint looked up goods in the index
and followed il down until she found
he word lost. She then sent out
circular letter saying that the league
a lwavs took the greatest care to see
that there was no shortage in ship
meuts. and if the consignee would
shake up the excelsior in the bottom
II the box he undoubtedly would hnd
the missing object
After years fight, the vigilance
committee obtained conviction. and
sent the head Of the league 20 prison.
Another man formed a company o.
icusjblv 20 build tractors, using the
name Ford. for Henry Ford WAS ~ that Z
time said to be contemplating market
ing a tractor. The swindler picked mp
p telephone hook. ran down the list Of
rords until he found = machinist. He
called on this man and told him that I
be had been highly recommended and
that he wanted him % -uperintend the
IL the first machine. The
machinist had an easy time az high
paw for a few weeks. dropping in On
he head q the company 70 make sug-
rrstions once in a while. When The
Inst tractor was nearing completion. /
ne suindisr told him that his work I
lad been - valuable that b. had been
decided 10 name the machine Ter BIN.