The Washington times., 1925-10-30
TOUR De LUKE
ENDS UP IN
JAIL
Russia's NerViest SWindler
Goes About as Chief OF
B Small Republic
By II r. KNICKEPBCCKER
International News service


MOSCOW . 20 Sc. 1nrv.
lest sw.ndler Khasanoff Tourgun
YouIc2s hevitch, alias "Georg Tug"
Is back in jail after a series Of ex-
pIoits which added new luster to his
Grim nal reputation and left crest
fallen Soviet government officials
wondering how he did it.
Tug got his moniker. from resi-
dence in a Georgian penitentiary,
where he was serving a siX-yea-
term for swindling when the gov
eminent, in an expansive mood,
parCloned everybody not convicted
Of murder or counterrevolution.
Dead broke when he left the,
Georgian prison, Tug counted on
his excellent front i and oriental
good looks to get by without a
ticket on the train to Yalta, in the
Crimea, When the conductor came
to collect, Tug told him: Eve lost
my ticket along with my valise.
Must have been stolen. But I'm
Feisul Khodzhaiev, president OF
the Czbeckistan republic, and when
we get to Yalta the mayor win
pay my fare"
Seeks Bigger Game
The game worked, and Tug, on
alighting in Yalta,, decided to work
AZ further. He called on the mayor
who. a little clustered at. the honor
of receiving the President OF the
Uzbeckistan Republic, insisted on
lending him $50 to finish his trip
20 Moscow.
From then on, Tugs tour be-
came a tour de luxe. The HaIta
mayo proved p ker compared 70
the Mayor of Novorrossisk, Tugs
next stop. At Novorrossisk the
mayor lent him 500.
BIT this tine Tugs line had BE-
come so smooth that when ne ar
rived in Poltava, the mayor came
through with $3.50.
Gathering his energy for q real
CAPITAL of White Russia. From a
room In the best hotel, he teie-
phoned the president Of the Central
Executive Committee or I>Wh1te
Russia, and had that dignitary has
tan hotfoot to the relief OF the
city's distinguished, IL unfortunate
wuest. The White Russians are no
Shean skafee. ~ .wl,e- Tug clue
tanfiy revealed his financial en-
haf.rassuent Ine president or the
central executive committee forced
him to accept a $500 loan.
This was good, but not the best.
Ting had visions Of MOSCOW. IL
Minsk was worth $500, surely MOS
cow ought to produce $1,000. he
took a train for Moscow. -
But It was local, and the
iaunty president of the UzDeck-
istans had to stop over Twelve
hours In a small city named Gomel.
glf,f far from Moscow. Tired or
walking about the railroad station,
q occurred to Tug that he might
ct least make expenses.
On Step Too Far
He called a droshky and drove
to the town hall. On the way he
reflected he would only ask for
$50-just spending oney.
Dear CoTnrade." said the mayor
who left a meeting OF the town
council and hurried out with, ex-
tended hands when the name OF
the president OF the Uzbeckistan
republic was announced, OF course
wen fix UP that Little thing. But
do come and let our comrades
meet you"
The mayor proudly introduced
his guest, and while Tug chatted
conde~cendingly with the local leg
ielators, the mayor ran into his
private office and came back with
q. big album. He wanted the presi-
dent of the Uzbeckistan Republic
to autograph the photo Of himself
which smiled forth from page 16.
Tug looked at the photo. The
mayor looked at Tug. Tug looked
1t his watch.
"I think 1 may miss my train"
he said.
Police caught him a block from
tia fnUn hall.