The Ocala evening star., 1922-10-18


ali damages, etc.
Adding Insult to Injury
In returning money (or throwing
it back" sit is called the grating
circus man will, in many instances,
repeat the short-changing process. II
the victim recounts his money again
the short-change artist will finally
give him the full amount due him. But
in any event the native 'gets an awful
run for his money"
Where Short t-Change Men Operate
The work of short-changing is usu-
ally carried on in what is known as
"the connection; that is to say, in the
interior of the canvases, between the
menagerie and the ''big top" or main
tent in which the circus performance
proper is given; altho in some in
stances the short-change man, with
bag dangling from strap thrown over
one shoulder, will work in other parts
of the menagerie or even outside, on
the lot. With many grating circuses
the "candy butchers" (the men who
sell refreshments) and others also
short-change patrons. Also, with
many of these shows, there are short
change men who take nothing but sill
yer; that is, men who short change in
silver only, and do not work in paper
or bills. These men merely steal
smaller amounts than their brothers
who steal paper money.
How the "Fixer" Fixes" Town
Let me tell you how the adjuster or
"fxer" with graft-circus works.
He arrives in town with his parasite
circus, travelling usually in the "priv-
ilege" car (another grating adjunct
of the grating circus of which men
tion will be made hereafter). He has
an assistant who ordinarily parades
under the guise of "officer" or ode
tective" with the show. The two
"fxers" eat breakfast at a city res
taurant or hotel. Then the assistant
hurries out and meets the chief Of
police, or some other police officer, to
whom he introduces himself.
Ascertaining Names of Officials
From the chief, or other officers,
he ascertains the names of the Mayor,
sheriff. city attorney, deputy sheriffs,
prosecuting attorney, justices of the
peace, constables, detectives and city
judge.
Feeling Out" the Officials
When the ''fxer" in quest of these
names first meets the man from whom
he secures them he gives him reserv-
ed-seat tickets for himself and family
and friends. The assistant "fixer"
takes his list of names to the boss
"mender". The "ixers" start out to
learn If they can tighten up" or ''fx"
the town so that the grafters may
| "work". The two Messers. Fixer pay
the municipal and State and county
licenses for the shows exhibit. This
work, of course, is legitimate. AS
soon as the licenses have been paid
the "fixers" "feel out" the officials in
reference to working" graft. That
is to say, the "fxers" question the of
| ficials as to their attitude and the at
titude of the townspeople towards
working or operating games of chance
with the shows.
Showers Officials With Tickets
| Meeting the chief of police, the
| graft-circus "fxers" will shake hands
and tell him that he represents the
| Soandso Circus. "How many have
you in your family, Chief, besides
yourself?" queries Mister Fixer. The
chief will inform the man as to the
number in his family. Then the Elk
er" will take out a pad of tickets
from his pocket and tear off not only
one for each member of the chiefs
family, but also several extras. These
he will give to the chief, saying:
"Well, here is one for each member of
your family and some extra tickets
for your friends. Now, Mr.. Chief,
if you find that you may need some
more tickets, just come to me and
ask for them. Don't buy any. You
don't require any ticket for yourself
as your badge will admit you any
place you may want to CO."
"Fixer's Special Brand of Salve"
| By this time, the average chief will
naturally feel rather good-natured to,
wards the circus parasite. The "fxer'
. will then say something like this
"Now, Chief, will work in conjunct'
ion with you on the circus grounds to-
day, maintaining order and seeing that
every thing goes smoothly. If | fine
that may need the assistance of your
| Sha1 coll IN +bo,,a on6 IF they