The Omaha guide., 1945-05-05

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(from the Better Business Bureau Of Omaha, Inc.
Lobby Floor, Redick Tower, WE-3033)
SPRING IS HERE! Reports of so-called Spring
Racketeers" have already been filed with the Bur-
eau. Iowa law enforcement authorities warn Of
two men using the name "A. Thomas and r. Howard,
alias George and John williamson, who are wanted
for investigation. They are said to be peddling fur
coats and driving an Oldsmobile sedan with a Lou
isiana license. These men are thought to be part
of the notorious Williamson gang of peddlers, who
come north every spring to peddle their wares OF
shoddy laces, rugs, fur coats, under various false
representations. Should they come to your door,
call the Bureau or the Police Dept. Immediately.
A LOCAL WOMAN REPORTS paying 500 to a
''lawn expert for seeding her lawn about three
weeks ago on the representation the grass would
come up III 10 days or two weeks. Before seeding
the lawn, he burnt off the old grass, and while doing
SO destroyed a valuable evergreen tree which he
promised to replace. When he failed to return as
promised and when the grass failed to come up, she
called the phone number he left and learned that
persons at that number had never heard Of the man.
This case has been reported to city authorities who
are on the lookout for further activities by this in
dividual.
PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM-According to the Mas
ter Photo Finishers and Dealers Association, thous-
ands Of amateur photographers are being sold gov
eminent surplus film as good new film capable OF
taking good pictures. Results from the use OF this
film-whichi is often out of date, foggy, and imprOp-
serly. cut-are disappOintments to the users, and deS-
~truction of confidence in developers. After an in
vestigation disclosed that some of this film has been
noted in Omaha, a warning was issued to all photo
graphers and interested parties, suitable for post
ing in shops for the protection Of the public. Fur
Their Investigations are continuing.
mn
CEASE AND DESIST! The following unregister-
ed Canadian gold mine stock promoters have been
the subjert of hease asd desist orders by Harold
ohnson, Nebraska Blue Sky Commissioner.
Redmond 4 Co., Ltd. $50 Bay St. Ont, Canada,
W Roy Marchment, Pres, j. N. S. Dixon, Vice
Bowman Stuart & Co., 6S King Street,
East Toronto, /, Candad.
III. II. Balm q Co., Ltd, 304 Bay ST., Toronto, Ont.
Canada, Henry Rupert Balm, Pres.
Lakewood Investments. 9 Adelaide ST., East
Toronto, Ont, Canada, Ohm NJ. Baird, sole prop.
According to Commissioner Johnson, the above
promoters should be placed III the same category as
similar Canadian gold stock promoters previously
listed in this publication. Persons receiving sOlic-
itations by mail or telephone to purhase this highly
speculative and often worthless gold stock, should
notify the Bureau at once. BEFORE YOU IN
VEST-INVESTIGATE!
PUZZLE CONTEST-Information is available at
the Bureau office about the Facts Magazine Puzzle
Contest, II which many Omahans are participating.
Contestants should realize that according to the ru-
es of the contest, it may be necessary for them to en-
ter several "tie-breaking'' contests each calling for
extra cash remittances, before they are eligible for
the grand prizes. The promoters Of this contest
have been the subject Of considerable complaint to
Better Busnessi Bureaus in the past about similar
promotions. Call the Bureau for complete inform
alton.
CON GAME Warnings were issued about a CON
fidence game operated by an elderly pair giving the
name Marguerite and Charles Wells. This case,
which received mention in the Omaha World Her
aid was reported to the Bureau by a rooming house
keeper, who had been swindled out of about $500 by
the pair, who borrowed money Oh the strength Of an
inheritance and then disappeared. After receiv-
ing the Omaha warning, Oklahoma City reported a
similar experience. 1t is hoped that the network of
50 Bureaus over the country and numerous cooper
ating organizations now alerted, may contribute to
the stopping of this racket and apprehending the
operators.
MISREPRESENTATION Prompt action by the
Bureau in cooperation with a local magazine agency
resulted III stopping a salesman claiming he was
making a survey for the U. s. Army Signal Corps,
in order to gain admittance to a customers house.
The salesman's employer when hearing Of the re
port, emphatically stated that his men were not per-
mitted to make such statements, and that those do
ing SO would be relieved of their SAMPLES.