The New York herald., 1921-02-13
Bank Robbers, Counterfeiters and Forgers
Especially Active in Easy Money Hunt

conditions seldom went beyond the misde-
meanor stage have now actually become
criminal.
II do not mean particularly employees of
the liquor business, but rather that semi
vagrant class Of hangers on who are always
to be found around the saloons In the old
days the ambition of these men did not
extend very far beyond getting few drinks
of liquor and a bite to eat now and then.
Now, with their minds clearer through
abstinence and with their energies undissi-
pated, they have become much more seri-
our problem 20 the police"
The system Of allotments and war risk in
surance Instituted during the war has been
another prolific source of crimes coming
under the jurisdiction Of the Secret Service
Bureau, according to Mr.. Moran. Though
the Secret Service Bureau has nothing to do
with the misuse OF ordinary commercial
banking checks 1t Is given the duty of pro-
tecting United States Government checks
against alteration or forgery During the
war when a majority of the service men
called to colors had allotments, Government
checks were sent broadcast and 1t was inevi-
table that many of them should find their
way into the wrong hands.
This led to wholesale forgery of signatures
and to considerable alteration or check rats
ing. Though the efficient work of the Secret
Service Bureau has put decided damper on
this particular form of criminal activity, 1t
viii undoubtedly continue to a greater or
lesser extent until the necessity for the allot-
ment system has passed.
Under the law the bureau of which Mr..
Moran Is head. is charged with the duty Of
protecting the person and immediate family
of the President and President-eect and with
guarding the obligations or other security Of
the United States" The first OF these duties
needs no explanation. The second in actual
practice resolves itself into the task of de-
tecting and apprehendng forgers and coun-
terfeiters.
Going into detail as to the work of the
bureau, the law states that the words "obli-
cations and other security" shall be held to
mean "all bonds. certificates Of Indebtedness.
national bank currency, coupons. United
States notes, Treasury notes. gold certif-
Gates, silver certificates. fractional notes.
certificates OF deposit. bills, checks OF drafts
for money drawn by or upon authorized
officers of the United States stamps and
other representatives Of value. OF whatever
denomination, which have been or may BIZ
issued under any act Of Congress-"
Made 77s Arrests In roso
Compared With sro in 1879
During the fiscal year just ended the Sc
cret Service Bureau made 779 arrests. as
compared with $40 In 1919, and general
previous. Counterfeited or altered notes cap
tured by bureau operatives during the year
amounted to s90.930. as compared with
s22S39 In 1919. The ostensible value OF coun-
terfcit coins seized. however did not greatly
exceed the 1919 record figures being s16,5ef
as compared with s16,1sz
'If crime continues at the present rate
said the gray haired veteran of the Secret
Service to-day, I'VE shall have need for
double our present force of operatives"
Though officials Of the Treasury Depart
ment under which the Secret Service
operates, quite naturally decline to discuss
the number OF agents now engaged I'm pro-
tecting the legal tender of Uncle Sam, 1t is
significant that the last appropriation pro-
vided by Congress for the bureau was
s4o0. 900. practically all OF which goes to pay
the salaries of investigators.
OF the 779 persons arrested In 1920 34s
have been convicted 333 are awaiting action
of the courts. 33 were acquitted, 80 were dis
missed by the United States commissioners,
is were not indicted we're adjudged insane
and cases were dropped. W
Two hundred and ninety-nve of the 779
persons arrested by the Secret Service were
charged with violation of the section of the
Penal Code which prohibits counterfeiting
notes or other obligations Of the United
states and Secret Service operatives cap
turcd 20 plates for the printing Of notes. Coin