davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13
PONZI SMASH NOW ESTIMATED AROUND
 20 MILLION MARK
,continued from rage one)

enough, without clear comprehension of just how the thing worked out.
 Among the amazing disclosures
 was that the bulk of Ponzi's mill
 lions were gathered in after the
 postoffice department had begun It's
 investigation last February.
 In discussing the Ponzi case tonight, Chief Postoffice Inspector Hal B. Nose by said, so far as their investigation had gone. Ponzi had never done any business in international reply cou- pons. He said he had warned hundreds of people against Ponzi when inquiries began to come in last February that no man or set of men could manipulate or speculate in international reply cou- pons in any such manner as they all legged Ponzi had explained to them. In formal statement issued later Dr. Moseby said;
 FORMAL STATEMENT
 "It has been my great desire for sometimes past that Ponzi should be brought to account and his scheme laid bare, and never for a moment have I believed that he was solvent, but that in the end he would be shown to be insolvent, probably by million. Within the past few days, having felt sure that we had or would shortly have sufficient evidence at hand upon which to arrest Ponzi and to make sure that he could be found when wanted, I have taken the precaution bto keep him under surveillance as far as possible, although he gave no 1n- dicat ation that he would attempt to evade this Jurisdiction. However, hay ing his previous record in view, felt 1t duty to make every possible effort to prevent his escape"
 Earlier in reply to specific inquiries, Inspector Moseby said:
 Our attention was first called to Ponzi's operations last February when inquiries began coming into the of- flee from investors and prospective investors, and investigation was immediately undertaken. Since that time we have been working in Europe and elsewhere.
 As a result of this investigation We have obtained conclusive evidence that there has been no abnormal issue or redemption of international reply coupons while, on the other hand, in some countries the use of coupons has been greatly curtaled to prevent this vegy scheme which, no doubt, has reached the ears of postal officials ir many foreign countries. There is nc means by which a man can manipulate I international reply coupons. Ponzi's claim that he has made millions in this way is simply a stupendous fraud with nothing upon which it can be based.
 "The entire issue and redemption O | international reply coupons through out the postal union for the past si, l years would not aggregate $500,00a 1 Ponzi i-could not have handled the mil l lions of them that would have beer | necessary to make the fortune h ' claimed to have amassed in the pas
 few months without the knowledge o
 the officials of the governments ant i of the postal union.
 Some countries, fearing speculation
 or manipulation of the coupons, dis
 continued their issuance or redemption months ago. some of them, particularl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13

time that his residence had been robbed in the past two months and that this time the robbers had taken the rugs from his floor.
 City Detective DeGroat stated that he was confident that he had ar rested the right parties when he had placed the two negro men in jail. He also stated that he hoped to have the rest of the gang" within another twenty -four hours has passed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13

the stuff that went into our making, an the care and skill with which we were ta lored, lead us to believe that we'd brin much higher prices. Seems like Blach oughta have more respect for our qualit than to mark us this way. But Blach don't mind hurting our feelings if the can help along their reputation for matcl less value-giving, and further prove tn power of cash. This offer will certainl do it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13
ICOX ADVOCATES GIVING SOLDIERS
 PROMOTIONS WON
foontinued From Page One)


 won. Sergeants and perhaps corporals commanded companies In the thickest or the fight. Lieutenants led companies, and even battalions, with master hands and brave hearts. They won their spurs And yet the war ended without them receiving the rank which they deserve. Some may. without serious doubt, feef that if soldier returned without in- jury he is able to take up civil life with out difficulty. This. in many instances. is not true Breaks in the careers of many lives turned permanently the whole course of things. Therefore wherever our government can aid. it should do so.
 NOT TOO LATE
 Tt seems to me that the federal gov eminent even yet should make confer ment of these honors The private who won the recognition to corporal s stripes is entitled to that recognition, and so on up they should have what justly belongs to them.
 This is a government of free peopie' and it's processes should never run coun- ter to the Fundamentals of simple Ius- tice Nothing would give me livelier sense of genuine happiness than the op portunity of helping to bestow honors richly won overseas and elsewhere.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13
NO FOREIGN CUSTOMERS

the country were instructed not to re- deem them.
 NO FOREIGN CUSTOMERS
 ''The best evidence that he did not deal in coupons in foreign countries is the fact that he never produced for eign customers. The most amazing thing. and the thing which I am not able to understand is why people trusted their money with Ponzi. can only attribute to his personality-they invested in the man, not the business. We warned hundreds of people against him. Many of them needed the warn ing, but undoubtedly there were many who gave him their money notwith- standing,
 we found it difficult to talk with some people, they were so impressed and believed so strongly that he was doing what he said he was doing
 A GARNER "One of Ponzi's attractive features was the easy manner in which he talked | in millions instead of hundreds or ' thousands. He simply charmed, daz- zled the people.
 He appealed to the gambling spirit of the people by the quick action on l the investments. When he started out l he promised 50 per cent in ninety days, | bth he paid it in fortyfive days, with 1 the result that many reinvested their principal and their winnings. ] 'Ponzi did not use the mails as openly as is often the case in schemes which | come to the attention of this depart ment. He started business in a small
 way. depending upon reinvestments l from his customers and upon the word that would be passed from one person 1 to another.
 He did not dare to advertise in the 1 newspapers, and we did not want to 1 make 1t known that we were investi- ! gating his business, for the publicity 1 was just what he needed to attract att ] tention. When the story of his opera 1 tions first got into the news, he well | comed it, for it gave him a chance to i; issue statements and get before the public. It was during the past few l weeks while his business was being 1 exploited by the newspapers that he collected the greater part of the mill
 lions that trusting persons turned over | to him."
 Ponzj. the inspector said, once was in an exporting business in a small way
 and it probably was while thus engaged ! that he learned of the use of interna- tional reply coupons, possibly having
 received them from abroad for prepay ing return postage.
 | "The department investigation, MT Moseby added, had extended to all sec tions and throughout Europe, and all though he was unwilling to discuss evi- dence that had been collected, he did
 not hesitate to say that dealings in in
 ternational reply coupons was not re. sponsible for his millions.
 Ponzi went to his home at Lexington
 and announced that he would make nc
 statement. The house was under close
 surveillance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13

Paris, August 12.-The recogni- ton of General Wfangel by France is neither an net of reprisal by her for Great Brftain's latest ini- tintive in the PoIish- Russian neEo-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13

Italy. prior 10 the time when Ponzi claims 10 have started his business.
 Tt would be foolish for Italy to re- deem coupons at the great difference in the rate of exchange, for she would stand to lose the difference when the time came to settle accounts.
 Soon after our investigation was started Ponzi was advised by letter that { coupons would not be redeemed in this country except for legitimate postage purpose, and postmasters throughout the country were instructed not to re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13


 facts, which, it says, establish the
 truth of this statement.
 Premier Milleranad, on returning from Hythe. the newspaper g states, found in Paris the demand of the south Russian government for recog- milton. The documents necessary for the recognition were prepared by g o'clock yesterday morning and the decision was taken by the cabinet at its meeting an hour later.
 DID NOT KNOW
 The news that Great Britain had recommended that Poland accept the soviet armistice conditions, adds the Temps, only reached Paris between noon and 12:3o p. m.
 Washington, August 12.-The text of the statement of the French foreign minister announcing his governments s decision to recognize General Wrangel was received here today. It reads:
 "In view of the military successes and country consolidation of the gov ernment of General Wrangel as well as assurances received relative to the democratic form. of his administration and his respect for former obligations of the Russian state, the French gov ernment has decided to recognize the government of the South of Russia as de facto government.
 "A Freinch diplomatic agent will be sent to Sebastopol with the title of high commissioner"
 London August 12-There was nc formal cabinet council tonight. but a number of prolonged ministerial conferences were held at Downing street after which Premier Lloyd George received a deputation of the Council of Action of the labor party According to the latest news noth- ing has yet been definitely settled about the proposed meeting between MT. Lloyd George and Premier Miller and to discuss the situation brought about by recognition by France ol General Wrangel. but it is understood to be the British governments inten- 1 tien to proceed as though the Wrange incident had not arisen and adhere strictly to the policy of taking no ac i tion against the soviet pending tht l disclosure of Moscow's attitude to ward Poland and an armistice. SIGNIFICANT l London, August 12.-A significant reference to the present crisis wa made by Premier Lloyd George in ad
 dressing meeting of coalition lit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13
United States Considering Selling War Material to Poland-NOt Yet Decided
Continued From Page oneo

(Continued From Page OneD gether with the expressions of the United States in the recent note wer/ considered as having knocked the pro- posed London conference into cooked hat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13
The Weather
Forecast

Forecast
 By Associated Prss Washington, August 12.-Georgia, Ala bama, Mississippi: Local thunder show CTS Friday and Saturday. Tennessee: Local showers and thunder storms Friday and probably Saturday; somewhat lower temperature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-13

hope for cooperation between England
 and France, he said had been sancti-
 fled by the common sacrifice. the
 premier, apparently alluding to the
 possibility of war with Russia
 'sWhen the terrible question of peace or war has to be decided our first duty 1 as government is to the people. who trust us not to commit their treasure to any unjustifible adventure. Noth- ing but the most imperative call or national honor can bring this about.
 Before this country is committed to It even in the most limited form, we must be satisfied this is in peril.
 The report of the Danish employment exchange for the fiscal year 1s1S-1s shows the existence of sixty-two labor ex- changes. These exchanges received 92- 5s2 applications for positions. and placed
 g, ,S55 persons. The cost of the system was s7e,152, or $2.95 per person placed.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22

and heid UP By the popular referen-
DUN.
Eleven states which 50 far have
not passed law enforcement codes are:
Massachusetts, Rhode Island. Connec-
ticut. Vermont, New York. New Jer-
scy. Maryland, Pennsylvania, Louisi-
ana and Wisconsin. Three OF the
eleven, Rhode Island. New Jersey and
Wisconsin. have adopted eer bills.
The Wisconsin Legislature. in enacting
a two and one-half per cent. law
provided that IL the United States Su-
preme Court sustains the Volstead
act. the statute shall not go into eff
feet. Rhode Island will license places
selling beverages containing not more
than four per cent. alcohol by weight
on the ground that 1t Is n~on-intoxicat-
ing. New Jersey In legallzing the
manufacture. sale and transportation
OF three and one-half per cent beer
waits the formal declaration of peace
and the end OF war prohibition.
Maryland wet legislators proposed a
three and one-half per cent. beer bill
which was passed By the House but
defeated IN the senate A three and
one-half per cent bill Is now pending
in the Massachusetts, and New York
legislatures. Delaware Is considering
an amendment to the state prohibition
code providing for the sale of liquor
for medical purposes" in harmony
with the federal code. The drys OPP
pose It on the ground that Il utilities
much OF the state enforcement law.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
KENTUCKY FARMERS DRINK
HARD CIDER, "MOOASHTNERS"
By The Associated Press
KN

LOUISVILLE, Ky, April "a
Farmers in Kentucky who have been
accustomed to ~quenching their thirst
with lard cider may be classed as
"moonshiners' under the Mcclellan
law which goes into effect on July 1.
Under the statewide dry amendment,
adopted b. the people last Fall. any
person having a beverage containing
alcohol, including cider or homemade
wine. on their premises. may be hailed
into court to show whether they man
ufactured 1t without a permit.
Kentucky in thus assuming con-
current jurisdiction with the govern
.ment OF the United States in enforc-
ing prohibition puts more teeth into
The Nolstead enforcement act and
makes every peace officer in the state
responsible for keeping the common
wealth bone dry"
Thirty-four other states n the
District OF Columbia have state law
enforcement measures as follows: Ala
bama. Arkansas, Colorado. Delaware,
Florida. Georgia, Idaho. Illinois. In
diana, Iowa. Kansas. Maine, Michigan,
Minnesota. Mississippi. Missouri, Mon
tana, Nebraska, Nevada. New Hamp-
shire. New Mexico. North Carolina,
North Dakota. Ohio. Oklahoma, Ore
Igon. South Carolina South Dakota.
Tennessee, Texas. Virginia, Washing
ton, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Ohio has not adopted a complete en-
forcement code. three codes having
been passed by The legislature
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
CANAL
OPEN ALL TINE
Waterway viii be Kept Open
Day and Night Until Com
ing Winter Season.

shippers on the route OF the Della
VAR ard R0ritan canal between New
Brunswick and Trenton as well as in
New York, Philadelphia. Baltimore
and Perth Amboy. will be pleased to
learn that the Waterway will be kept
open continuously day and night until
the close OF the season next winter.
There was much concern among some
of the shippers when II was announced
recently that the canal would be closed
to traff1c on Sundays. 1t was realized
occasionally some boat in transit
might be detained in the canal for
twenty-four hotrs because of this plan,
and 1t was felt ii would be detrimental
to the commerce of the waterway.
At a meeting of the Board OF Di-
rectors of the Raritan Terminal and
Waterways Association held in New
Brunswick about two weeks ago the
natter was brought to their atten-
ton. A resolution was adopted pro-
testing to the Public Utility Commits
sion against this plan to have the
canal closed on Sundays. and it was
decided to take up the matter with
the Chambers of Commerce OF New
York. Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Trenton with a view of enlfsting their
cooperation to combat the plan.
Charles A. Mccormick, of Johnson
& Johnson, who is a director of the
Terminal and Waterways Association,
together with James Hughes. Jr., an
other well-known boat owner interest
ed in the development of the COM
merce of the Raritan River, took up
the matter direct with the manage
ment of the Delaware and Raritan
Canal Company experimenting the
action of the Association. The clos
ing of the canal on Sundays was con-
sidered in its effect upon the COM
merce of the various cities directly
interested, particularly In view of the
fact that the traffic by rail a con-
gested with little possibility of relief
in the near future.
Mr.. Mccormick has just been adj
vised that 1t has been decided to
maintain service on the canal daily
including Sundays and that the water
way will not be closed from now until
the regular time for closing of the
season.. probably next December. This
is gratifying to man. shippers in New
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
NEW WORKERS WILL LIVE
IN TENTS IN HOUSE SHORTAGE

NEW YORK, April 22.-Thousands
OF New York families. some Of the H.
ia registered "a Homeless by the
Tenement House Department. are
expected to live in tents furnished by
the United States army until the
present housing deaFth is remedied,
according to men interested in the
building trade here. Just where they
VIII locate their new domiciIes has NOS
yet been decided although an army OF
real estate agents "nobilized." as it
were, overnight In Greater New York,
has vast acreages of vacant land to
lease In four of the FIVE ~boroughs.
From 1900 to 1000 families will
live in tents in Pelham Bay Park
alone" declared Walter c. Martin, SUI
perintendent Of the Bronx Tenement
House Department. and 1 have no
doubt but that many other sections
VIII have whole colonies OF tent dwell
lers after May l.. In view Of the an
ticipated increased demand for tent
shall write to the Wal Department
for sufficient canvas to meet all pos
sible need in the Bronx"
On top OF the present housing short-
age looms the prospect of the usual
horde of pleasure seekers. many of
them with abundant war profits or
earnings who are coming to tho
hAotAoPOlAS AoT helr summer OUTING.
OF these will offer landlords
attractive prices for temporary quar-
.ters and, where tenants are occupying
apartments from month-to-month and
paying exhorbitant rents, the result
Is expected to be an Increased number
or evietions on May 1 and June /.
Evasion of the anti-rent ~profteering
laws recently passed at Albany Is "A
common charge in many cases against
landlords up for trial In the Munich
pal Courts. Thousands of tenement
owners to circumvent the law
which compels the landlords to prove
their rights to raise rents more than
25 per cent. a year, have notified ten
ants to vacate their property by Sep
TENDER /. Then they plan to rent the
apartments to the highest bidder.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
MORGAN PLANT NOT
TO BE SOLD BY U. S.

SOUTH AMBOY, April 22.-Accord-
ing TO the latest information received
in this section Morgan will not be
abandoned as was previously planned.
The local Chamber Of Commerce real
izing that Morgan would make an
excellent industrial location wrote
Congressman Scully asking for infor-
nation as to the disposal of the plant.
The following vas received:
II have been advised by the real
estate section OF the war department.
and also by the ordnance bureau, that
the Department does not contemplate
the sale of the present site of the
Morgan Ordnance Depot. Few parcels
Of the present site viii be sold, but
it is the intention OF the departmnt
to maintain the Morgan ordnance de-
pot as a permanent location.
with kind wishes, l am
Sincerely yours,
THOMAS ]. SCULLY."
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22

ment was taken until "Wednesday of
next week.
However. both branches appointed
a committee to consider the matter
in the meantime. President of the
Senate Case named Senators Pilgrim,
Essex. Whitney. Morris and Sturgess,
Gloucester, to meet with Assembly
men Rowland and Wallworth, Cam
den; Tozer. Bergen, and Pierson,
Union. to thresh the matter out.
The three assemblymen from Mer-
Ger further complicated the
by announcing hat unless the legis-
lature takes action upon the bill OF
Assemblyman DeVoe. OF Middiesex.
to give the teachers OF the state a
minimum wage. they will retuse 70
vote for any legislation, bond Bills
appropriation measures, final ad-
journment or anything else: They
are Assemblymen Moore. Guthrie n
Blackwell. OF course, IL the tate OF
these things hinges upon the united
Republican vote in the rouse q
majority would be "out OF luck
without It's three Mercer votes, put II
the Democrats join with the Repubh-
cans in legislation, which they are
expected % do. the detection OF the
Mercer members would be without
force and effect.
Meanwhile Governor Edwards is
holding out for a bill which VIII De
free Of a direct state tax.
1t developed yesterday that there
Is a schism in the ranks OF the eight
members of the Bridge ana runner
Commission too. This is along party
lines. 1t showed itself when the
Democratic members of the commits
sion. T.. Albeus Adams of Montclair.
samuel Shay of Camden, and John +:
Bowie. OF Jersey City, failed to attend
the organization meeting of the COM
mission.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
KEYP0RT CHILD HURT

KEYPORT. April 22-Miss Dorothy
Reynolds. daughter of Mrs. Eva Reyn-
olds, OF Kearney street, received Sc
we're and painful injuries on Tuesday
when in running across the yard she
ran directly into a piece OF water pip
Ing, which the plumbers who were at
work at the time had left in the yard.
The force of the collision knocked
the child down as we'll as bent the
pipe. She received cuts above and
below her right eye, fortunately the
eye Itself being uniniured. as we'll as
an injured head. Because of her
injuries she has been unable to at
tend school since.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
ON LARCENY CHARGE

Joe Kurayva arrested by Detec-
tive Sergeant Long and Detective
Gutowskf early this week charged
with grand larceny. was this morn
ing ordered held in $1,000 bail to
await the action of the grand jury.
Julius Vishevewsky charges Kurayva
with taking S42 from him, and has
several witnesses who witnessed the
theft. Attorney wilentz for the de-
PENDANT. arrived in court after the re-
corder had ordered the defendant
held In bail. and 1t Is probable that
~Vishevewsky will be given another
hearing tomorrow morning.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-22
FINAL TUNNEL
ACTION HELD UP
Republicans Insist on Direct
State Tax for Payment of
Interest on Canal Proposition
BIZ Special corsspondcnt.

By Special CorrsspondeHt
TRENTON, April 22:-Refusal Of
the majority OF Republican senators
10 recede from their position in favor
of a direct state al for the payment
Of the interest of the SIS, 600, goo
worth Of bonds for the Hudson river
tunnel and he Delaware river bridge
has held up final action upon this
matter n sine die adjournment Of
the legislature for another week. The
senate and louise marked time all
day yesterday while leaders wrestled
with the problem of how to best care
for the payment OF the interest on
the bonds. The senator's held another
caucus from which a report said six
favored abandoning the direct tax
plan but nine others insisted upon
standing pat" on the amendment.
The House Republicans held a con-
ference upon il too, in which New
York bond lawyers participated.
When 1t was all over surface condi-
tons indicated little or no signs of a
solution of the snarl over the bridge
and tunnel litigation and adjourn