134 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
January 24, 
PUBLISHER’S DESK 
Loss of .$129,000,000 in two years by 
the unsuspecting public through swindl¬ 
ing operations carried on by use of the 
United States mails has stirred the postal 
authorities to a drastic campaign against 
fraudulent schemers. Wholesale use of 
the Government’s right to deny the mail¬ 
ing privilege to persons or firms whose 
operations may be tainted with “get-rich- 
quick” and other false promises is the 
weapon to be employed.—Daily Paper. 
This is encouraging. Years back, 
under the intelligent and efficient direc¬ 
tion of Judge Goodwin, fraud orders were 
issued against fraudulent schemers, and 
the swindling of the people then stopped 
as far as that particular scheme was con¬ 
cerned. Of course, all the crooks set up 
a howl as soon as one of them was de¬ 
nied the use of the mails to swindle. 
Some of the crooks had influence in pol¬ 
itics, and a few of them actually had 
seats in Congress. The cancer cures, the 
medical fakes, the stock-jobbing swindles 
and fake mail-order publishers pooled 
their interests, and a general fight was 
put up against the fraud order. The cry 
went up that there was a czar in the 
Post Office Department, clothed with the 
authority to destroy business, to kill vest¬ 
ed interests, and to deny the individual 
his personal rights and liberties. Charges 
of graft, and dishonesty, and partiality 
and prejudice were made freely against the 
Department. All this, of course, originat¬ 
ed with the schemers, and largely in the 
fake publications that they controlled as 
a part of their swindling game. Much of 
it was repeated in the daily and weekly 
papers of the country. Some of the 
papers were, no doubt, innocently led to 
lend themselves to the rogues, and the 
help of others was secured through large 
advertising contracts. The accusations 
were so often repeated against the De¬ 
partment many people thought they must 
be true, and thus the swindlers by per¬ 
severance actually won over the support 
of honest men. So when the “fraud or¬ 
der” was issued against E. G. Lewis and 
his swindling schemes at St. Louis, the 
conditions were just right for his cam¬ 
paign of villification of the Department. 
Finally the Attorney-General gave orders 
that no more “fraud orders” be issued, 
but that evidence be gathered against the 
crooks, and criminal action brought 
against them in the courts. That suited 
the crooks to perfection. Astute lawyers 
were retained to word their schemes so 
as to keep within the law, and at best it 
would take years to make up a case 
against them, and then years before the 
case could be brought to trial. As a last 
resort there is always a chance of getting 
one or more crooks on a jury, and it is 
not always easy to convince twelve hon¬ 
est men that a schemer had deliberately 
set out to swindle, lie would admit the 
failure, but set up the pretence that he 
expected it to succeed, and if a single 
juryman had doubts about his intent to 
defraud he went free. So it has gone on. 
An occasional crook has been convicted 
and sent to jail for a few months or 
years; but the swindling has gone right 
on. The climax was reached last year, 
when a Congressional committee took up 
an investigation of the E. G. Lewis case, 
including his hysterical accusations 
against Judge Goodwin and the Post 
Office Department. This committee was 
headed by Congressman Ashbrook of 
Ohio, and then Congressman Redfield, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y 7 ., now Secretary of Com¬ 
merce in President Wilson's Cabinet, was 
an active member of the committee. The 
personnel of the committee had recently 
been changed from a Republican to a 
Democratic majority. Lewis was under 
indictment for alleged fraudulent use of 
the mails. For some reason that has 
never been accounted for Messrs. Ash¬ 
brook and Redfield took up the defense 
of Lewis. They defended him all through 
the lengthy investigation, and kept the 
Department on the defensive. They even v 
went to St. Louis to give a hearing to 
those who would testify in favor of Lewis. 
When the record was complete Lewis had 
not substantiated a single one of the 
charges against Judge Goodwin or the 
Government, and the evidence was so 
overwhelming against Lewis that the case 
fell of its own weight. The Department 
was fully justified in its action, and the 
Democratic members of the committee 
made a perfunctory report denying that 
they believed Lewis guilty of fraud, but 
admitting that he had lost the money 
sent him by poor people, and advising 
him to go home and go to work. We do 
not know whether the investigation was 
conducted for the purpose of keeping 
Lewis out of jail or not; but if so, it 
seemed to be ably conducted for the object 
in view. The jury that tried Lewis did 
not agree, but we believe the indictment 
still stands; and he is now working a 
new scheme. Aside from the Lewis case, 
the Ashbrook committee showed great 
sympathy with cancer cures, and some 
other crooks of the kind which had griev¬ 
ances against the Post Office during the 
Roosevelt and Taft administrations. 
Now the Attorney-General, a fellow 
member of the Wilson Cabinet with Mr. 
Redfield, reports that the criminal proc¬ 
esses are too slow, and that “fraud or¬ 
ders” will again be issued against the 
swindling schemers. It is the strongest 
reproof that has yet been issued against 
the committee that put itself on record 
as apologists and defenders of crooks. 
This announcement of a saner policy 
comes none too soon. It will be remem¬ 
bered that at the beginning of this Ad¬ 
ministration the crooks took courage, and 
predicted that prosecutions would cease. 
They evidently got comfort from the Red¬ 
field appointment; but we reminded them 
at the time that no Administration could 
afford to permit a free use of the mails 
for swindling purposes, and least of all 
need they expect such a concession from 
President Wilson. By all means let us 
have the "fraud order” restored, and put 
a stop to the swindling before the people 
have lost their savings. It is little sat¬ 
isfaction to send a rogue to jail for a few 
months after his victims have lost their 
savings through him. 
I have been so long in replying to your 
letter that I fear you will think I failed 
to appreciate your aid in securing a set¬ 
tlement, but that is not the fact. I was 
so rushed with work that I failed to real¬ 
ize how much time had slipped away. I 
do appreciate your help in this matter 
very much and should be glad to express 
it financially did I not know that you 
have a hard and fast rule to the con¬ 
trary. As it is I shall endeavor to say 
a good word for The Rural New-Yorker 
when opportunity offers, and hope to send 
you some trial subscriptions later. 
New York. * u. m. 
A case of eggs sent to a Newark com¬ 
mission house was lost in transit by the 
United States Express Company, and it 
took just eight months to get them to 
■pass voucher in settlement. 
I would like to purchase a good small 
farm near a good market. Would it be 
well for me to purchase such through the 
E. A. Strout Farm Agency? Would you 
consider them reliable people to do busi¬ 
ness with? j. h. L. 
Massachusetts. 
This man being a new subscriber, he is 
not familiar with all that has been said 
about the Strout record in selling farms. 
So we repeat. In the past this agency 
claimed that it could not afford to sell 
farms on the commission plan ; that it did 
not conduct an agency, but a brokerage 
business; that its contract with the sell¬ 
er was an option ; that they sold for pro¬ 
fits, not commissions; and that they were 
entitled to all they could get above the 
seller’s price. They gave prizes to the 
local agent who, during certain months, 
sold a farm at the highest price above the 
owner’s price. The profits in these cases 
as reported by themselves fan from 50 
to 72 per cent. Since The It. N.-Y 7 . 
called attention to these methods they 
have asserted that they are now selling 
on commissions running from 10 to 20 
per cent. They previously stated that 
they could not sell on these terms to a 
man who knew that he was to pay this 
commission. If this be true, and we 
think it is, the buyer must be kept in the 
dark or deceived, in order to make a sale 
to him. But we have record of a recent 
transaction where the buyer paid 40 per 
cent above the seller’s price, and gave up 
in exchange, besides an equity in an¬ 
other property equal in value to the price 
of the farm. Such is the record. A buy¬ 
er is entitled to know all the facts con¬ 
cerning his purchase. If he knowingly 
wants to pay an agent 10 or 20, or 50 or 
72 per cent for his services, he ought to 
have the privilege of doing so, but is en¬ 
titled to the information. We do not 
think that you will get it from the Strout 
agency; and we doubt if you can get it 
straight from the farm papers that pub¬ 
lish the Strout advertising. J. J. D. , 
Pulverizing 
Harrow 
Produces Better Crops 
Because it makes a better 
seed bed than other harrows. 
It has long sloping knives that 
cut wider the soil, thoroughly 
pulverizing and mixing it. 
They level the soil and leave a 
fine mulch on the surface that 
holds moisture in the ground. 
The roots find nourishment 
easier in the compact seed bed. 
The ACME Pulverizing 
Harrow is the only tool needed 
after your plow. It is easier 
on your horses, while giving 
better results. 
Sold by all John Deere deal¬ 
ers. Let us mail you descrip¬ 
tive literature. You can grow 
better crops. Address 
DUANE H. NASH, Inc. 
379 Division Ave. Millington. N. J. 
You get it at any time within 
thirty years of purchase if your 
AMERICAN INGOT IRON ROOF 
rusts out. Being pure iron it cannot 
rust out like steel. No paint or repairs. Our 
bond protects you. Fire-proof, lightning- 
90. 84% pure proof. Catalog FREE. 
We make All-metal Corn Cribs, Stock 
Tanks, Troughs, etc# Wrilo for our 
WE7 illustrated book. 
The American Iron Roofing Co. 
■r ELYRIA, 0. Stu. 1®» MIDDLETOWN, O. 
LET US TAN 
YOUR HIDE. 
Cattle or Horse hide. Calf, bog, Peer 
orally kind of skin with hair or lur on. 
Wo tan and finish thorn right j make 
them into coats iformen and women), 
robes, rugs or gloves when ordered. 
Your fur goods will cost you less than 
to buy them, and be worth more. Our 
Illustrated catalog gives a lot of in 
formation which every stock raiser 
should have, but we never send out this 
valuable book except upon request. 
It tells how to takeoff and care for 
hides; how and when wo pay tho froight 
both ways j about our safe dyeing pro¬ 
cess which is a tremendous advantage 
to the customer, especially on horso 
hides and call skins; about the fur 
goods and game trophies wo sel 1. taxi¬ 
dermy, etc. If you want a copy send us 
your correct address. 
The Crosby Frisian Fur Company, 
571 Lyell Ave., Rochester. N. Y. 
Pump — Grind— Do ° 11 p° wer 
4-H.P. Vert ica r rkWitha 
iltiMk 
All Purpose Engine 
4-Cycle. Weight 190 lbs. Does all work 
1,000-lb. engine can do. 10-year guarantee, 
Also 6-h. p. up to 20-h.p. Special Heavy 
Duty Engines. Get catalog and ‘‘trial offer.’’ 
.Cushman Motor Works. 20P1N St..Lihcolh Neb 
ork a I 
itee. B 
\7 I 
■ks. / 
HI HI lit i' 
n yi 
37ifs WITTE Engine, after 26 yearn, still giving 
good service to S. A. Stone, Chillicothe, Mo. 
WITTE Engines 
Kerosene, Gasoline & Gas 
You can now own an Engine for 
less than you can do without one. 
Look at These Prices! 
2 H P. $39.45; 4 HP. S75.50; 6 II P, $99.35; 
8 H-P, $149.90; 11 H-P, $218.90; 20 IIP, $389.50 
Other Sizes, up to 40 H-P, Proportionally Low. 
Stationary .Portable, Skidded and Sawrlg styles. 
Standard for 27 years. Why pay two prices for a 
good engine or take chances on a poor, or doubt¬ 
ful engine for any kind of a price, when the 
WITTE 1b so low-priced and saves you all the risk. 
60 DAYS ’ TRIAL ; 5-YEAR GUARANT Y] 
Easy terms of payment, at regular prices. You 
are sureof a a square deal, whonyou buy of me. 
Rnnlf Getmy Bookbeforeyoui 
UUUn 11 CC arrange to try any en-/ 
glne. Costsyou nothing to be sure of / 
your selection, oven If you don’tpick / , 
a WITTE. Learn the Inside of tho / Lfffw _* Cr L 
englno business and how to judgo i 
engines for yourself. 
Send me just your address sol - *./vr* 
can send you my New Book with # ’0 /jtr*. 
my Latest and Best Oiler by ’’K 
return mall. # yif‘y-r r> 
Ed. H. Witte Engine Works 
1895 Oakland Ave., Kansas City, Mo, 
I?*/ 
NOW! 
SendYour Name 
how to use your old run¬ 
ning gears for many years: save 
10 , 001 ) high libs ; save repair bills. 
ELECTRIC 
Steel Wheels 
Make hauling 30% to 60% onder; 
aon t rut roads or fields;can’t break 
or drj apnrt. Send for illustrated 
book of »heels and wagons. 
Electric Wheel Co., 
Elm St., Quincy, 111. 
r Sav* 
High 
Lifts 
LAUSON STATIONARY 
Uses Gasoline or Kerosene 
'A high grade engine for long and 
’satisfactory service. Built up to 
Standard, not down to a price. More 
I drop forg 'd and case hardened parts than on any other | 
[ engine. Will run as true after five years’use as when J 
new. Sumter gear driven magneto savestrouble and j 
expense. All sizes, 2 to 100 H.P. Strong 
guarantee. New book "The Powerthat. 
Backs the Modem Farmer,” free if tit 
k you mention your deal¬ 
er’s name, 
The John Lauson 
Mfg. Co. 
218 N.W. Street 
New Holstein, Wls. 
##.%:/ "a 
\_ xim 
CASH Z BAGS 
Turn your old bags into money. We buy them in 
any quantity,_ sound or torn, at a liberal price and 
pay tlie freight. Write for particulars and stale 
number you have. Reference: Citizen's Hank. 
Iroquois Hag Co., 450 Howard St ,Buffalo, N. Y. 
FAIRBANKS “BULL DOG” ENGINES 
Write for Prices and Terms 
“Bull Dog” Engines 1% io 16 H.P. 
Vertical Engines 8 to 60 H. P. 
GAS, GASOLENE, or KEROSENE 
Equipped with Batteries or Magneto 
The best engine for any purpose; Water 
Systems, Pumps, Hoists, Sprayers, Saws, 
Concrete Mixers, Stone Crushers, Electric 
Light Outfits, etc. 
Portable, Semi-Portable, and Stationary Types 
Made up to the Fairbanks standard and 
backed by the F airbanks Guarantee. 
Bulletin No. 28-R describes them. Copy 
upon request. 
THE FAIRBANKS COMPANY 
Albany, N. Y. 
Ball imore, Md. 
Boston, Mass. 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
Hartford, Conn. 
New Orleans. La. 
Paterson, N. J. 
Philadelphia, Pa, 
NEW YORK 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Providence. R. 1. 
Syracuse. N. Y. 
Washington D. C. 
London, England 
Glasgow, Scotland 
Hamburg Germany 
Paris, France 
When you write advertisers mention The R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a 
quick reply and a “square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. : : : 
