Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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(Methods Used by Fake j^e "Specialists" Bared by U. S. Post Office Inspectors 10 The Chronicle I w'tinliiiiKt""' D, C., Oct. 26.?This grtlclti released by the Boat Office ! r?afn?*'nt HO thttt t,i0 public may yve u thorough Knowledge of the I2|beroi< described and know how to fOinhu t i' Paul Office Inspectors have broken a nationwide organization of frookH who pose as eye specialists througJi the arreat of a number of -jt? ?#mbora iu aeparato parts of the eountry. ' I, intimated that the public hug yeU swindled out of more than u pillion dollars by the crooks, some 0f whom are said to have made more than $350,000 out of what is known ? the (dimmer Racket. xhe postal inspectors could not believe that reputable eye apecialiata would perform dtellcate eye operations except under the moat sanitary (ondlth'Jis where there was no danger 0f infection. When they learned that roen claiming to bo specialists, connected with the moat-renowned clinIca and hospitals of our country, were performing such operations In the living and dining rooms and kitchens of country homes and collecting unreasonable foes from their patients, . (bey became skeptical and decided it [ was time to investigate. But where wore they to sturt? They found the names used were fictitious, r They w.-re usually similar to those | connected with some nationally known institution, or associated with remedies knowji fob generations to "practically all the people. It seemed at first that the swindlers had loft no tract', behind. But after coming to the conclusion that the alleged renowned eye specialists were, In fact, a band of fakers, the Inspectors devised means for identifying them and bringing them to Justice. The scheme has been confined mainly to aged and infirm persons residing in rural communities. The swindlers specialize on those who are 70 or older The ease with which they extort large sums from their victims Is surpassed only by the brutality of their scheme. Often the victim Is left i temporarily believing he has been I saved from cancer, blindness or para-1 lysis, when he has not been benefitted and has been deprived of his last dol-! lar. The post office Inspectors found ' that the racket was nation wide, and 1 that the swindlers traveled by auto- j mobile, remaining in one 8tate but | a short time. They realized that the! different States, unaided, could not! cope with the racket. Therefore they joined with the State enforcement agencies in identifying and locating the swindlers. The results so far obtained have proven the efficacy of their plane. The swindlers pledge their victim i to secrecy on the pretense that the "great' doctor would be ruined professionally and ostracized should It be made known he had- performed an operation at a residence. Because of fear of violence, robbery or. the possibility of having to pay additional sums to the fake doctors, their experiences often are not brought to the attention of the postal authorities . or the local officers. This method of swindling is known to the underworld as the Glimmer Racket, in the Glimmer Racket there are persons known as ".finger men" who travel about the country selling eye classes. Some of them are 11censod opticians. They sell very cheap glasses for exorbitant prices. Sometimes they sell glasses worth not over $5.f>0 for more than $J0u. In one particular case a man 98 years ?of was induced to pay $100 for glasses which it was claimed would improve his sight. A few weeks later : the same impostor sold the man an' ?'"P1 of tlie same cheap glasses for representing that the first one- u.ie not strong enough for one "'s H was later shown by a reput ii.-le optician that this aged man _ :i cataract on each eye and that gins*..* could be of no benefit whatever to hjni n was further established that the value of the glasses was m.t in excess of $3.75. The-.se finger men" are not satisled with the enormous profits made on their cheap glasses. They furnish tne names and addresses of their victims to the members of the gang no- :i as "specialists" and receive a l"r cent commission on any njuounts the latter obtain from the Sometimes the fake eye specialists nnd their own victims by talking to fh?a' I)erson8' making them believe j-ne> are looking for some elderly per011 in the community whose name ?*>' have but misplaced. They de, ,0 a person of Just the type they , ?nt ;t? contact. At times the "spocviait homes pretending they ;o purchase the property, and (luring flic conversation represent thut ncy are "eyo specialists." Hefore Jiving ll>?y inform the occupant or ! * . . .,hut ther<J ,M Homo ??rioua t nh .'.H UM<! offer 10 ?iak? ?? ?*' falal.lv wl?M?Uf charge, always "' J '"proaentlng that the victim 1? afflicted with an eye cancer, cata underu'i " ' HM<1 lnducl?8 Mill to mil ! !" 0l?oiatlou for. Us removal. think n ',1 a few aH ,ur?? ft? they think the victim ia ablli ^ ,my.. The pseudo-specialists usually work .uLi?i ? Somet'iBM one is accompanied by a woman posing us a nurse. hey are neatly attired and travel in automobiles. Arriving at the home of the victim, one remains in the cur. l he other goes into the house, often Hiking in bodly and calling the vie, by ?a?ne, explaining thut lie muy he surprised that he should be called >y name, but it was obtained from their agent who sold glasses In the community a year or so ago. The fake doctor who llrst goes into the house introduces himself under the name or some nationally or internationally known physician, surgeon or oculist, and claims to bo connectod with some well-known optical house He stales he is merely passii I checking up on glasses sold by their agent and replacing any unsatisfactory glasses without cost as all glasses sold by them are'guaranteed. Thus an'opportunity is afforded to examine the victim's glasses and eyes. Tin? fake doctor gets out his kit and instruments. He ien? aftor lens Into the testing frame and pretends that no satisfactory results are obtained. He appears to.be worried over the case, and from much practice he acts the part well. He finally tells the victim he cannot make a fitting as something is unusually wrong with one eve. He informs the victim that he has an eminent eye specialist with him In his car and suggests that ho be called In to make an examination. The alleged eye specialist is called In from the door way, and told to bring his kit containing his instruments. They let the victim see clearly that there Is no collusion between the two. The "doctor" is dressed to play the part of a successful professional man from the big city or fainous institution. The first man tells the fake doctor his troubles; how the whole matter has baffled him, and asks if he will make an examination without charge. This he agrees to do. The fake doctor then makes his examination. He says little or nothing. He shakes his head as the examination progresses, indicating the discovery of some serious tcouble. He finally announces, "It Is no wonder you cannot fit glasses to this eye. It is in a very bad condition. There is a 'cancerette' on It. Unless It Is removed very shortly it will either go to the brain and result in death, or paralysis will follow. There are only a few hospitals in the country where such cases can be safely and successfully operated on." His confederate asks, "What would be the cost of such an operation, doctor?" The fake "specialist" then says, "The cost would range anywhere from $2,500 up to $5,000 or more, dependent upon the clinic or hospital to which the patient is taken." The confederate asks, "Is it very danger.our and difficult to perform and Is it very painful?" The fake doctor: "No, It Is not at all painful. It Is neither dangerous nor difficult for one who has the skill to perform it." "Doctor, why don't you just operate hero?" the confederate asks. These people can not afford to go to a hospital. Why couldn't you just go right ahead and perform" It here and now, or couldn't you do It here?" The fake doctor replies, "Oh, yes! I could perform it here just as well as anywhere but 1 may not do so. It would be unethical to perform It anywhere, except In my office or some clinic or hospital." The confederate: "Well, this patient might have a stroke tonight or at any time if not operated on." The fake doctor: "I'm very sorry but it would not do at all to perform it here. I'll run out to the car and get one of the leaflets showing Just where this type of operation can be readily performed and the approximate charges." The fake doctor leaves for the car. The Confederate Immediately says, "That Is one of the best oculists in the country today. He's very wealthy and does not need money. I've known him since his boyhood. The size of his heart Is not even limited to the size of his body. I know the only i thing he Is afraid of is that you folks might talk about the matter. If you can convince him that you'll not talk about It, I'm sure he'll do the operation for you and can save you several thousand dollars. The fake doctor returns about this i | time announcing that he must have 1 ? i'l l.-al,_ ... packed the "leaflet" In the luggago which he expressed back home, but aaya, "You can get the work doue at lulane University Clinic, New Orleans; John liopkliiH, Baltimore; Mllea Institute, Klkhart, ludluna; I l nivtirsity of Pennsylvania ? Hospital, hlladelphla, etc., for certain amounts, plus the expense Incident to the trip. The confederate then says, "Doctor, those old folks can not afford to i>hv such sums." The fake doctor "If they will come to our clinic. I'll bo * ci y happy to jmrforui I ho operation without coat, Just as I would hero. If t was not for the chance of having tuu fact become known.-0 Confederate; "Doctor, these people are truthful and honest. They would not make you u promise they h?Ui<lii?0t 1 Ul 8Ure the? would be wUHuk to show their gratitude to you by keeping the fact of the opera tlon uhsolutely quiet." Py this time, if tlie old folks have not voluntarily ussisted in urging the fake doctor to operate, the coufedami ii tU'i!f /?. them ror assurance, und the old fojks willingly agree to a Fm oC secrecy. The fake doctor will then hind them as with the sanctity of an oath, as tliey shake hands all around in solemn tdken of the agreement entered Into. The fake doctor has the patient r?w??. i a" T,he heud 18 dropped farthe backward. An eye-dropper is Intin h lF.U gretm opaque glass bot. ' heayn>' corked, and a very few drops of the precious liquid, reprena'tPM? t0 ,1ra(!ium but actUttHy some patent eye liquid, uro withdrawn. Afdtr?I>M, ure put lnto tho oyo, a blunt pair of medicated cotton-til^ pod medical tweezers are used to rub the medicine around in the eye as an occasional drop is added. The fake WcHm i?IU roque8t the mate of the water preseut' to Procure some lug During the few Intervening moments of absence, this faker will ree?rnM 1 !8 ,,,OUth a Plec? of rub* beroid material which he had placed therein at the time he Ostensibly went to the car for the "leaflet" and apieads it over the patient's eye. He continues to stimulate the rubbing of' the eye with the tweezers, und alter j this tissue rubber has been spread fnr^ H ?nUrQ ey? l? the fak0 d0Ctoi s satisfaction, he will call any one present and point to the wonderful efIn . 8?-ca,led "liquid radium" in drawing this cancerous growth to out bvr ??e' exp,alnlng it is coming out by Its very roots. Very shortly I he utilizes the tweezers to catch hold wUh ^ Wh,ch 18 then slowly withdrawn from the eye. ia !.hl8 so-called cancerous growth is immediately thrown, into a Are or in some other manner destroyed* by burning if the credulous folks deit rlno ! ?t0 preserve It or inspect I'Thi ?y aj'e ImP?*e8Sively told: his is a most virulent poison. It in 8?? vf f that ,f must be destroyIn M f' If 1 Wei"e t0 thr0W it into the yard and one of your chickthne cllu' R WOU,d not i^ or kiV Sfh nM any m?re tha" the ?ther later T *eat' b,Ut ,f you 8ho"'d in u at l)artlcular hen. then o7,hrBt?a<uf..u wou"j - ?? *2 lT^aJeTJ} V,Z2 or wealthy, or Instances In which the victim Is too skeptical, the confederfens mmth? f h'8 8ye teata eIac?? a lens In the frame covering one eye ove? the1 nthtrength6n !t' and mother over the other eye which will impair Its vision. He will then place his hand over the "bad" eye and tho readHy W Wh? t0 Fead the chart readily. When he next places his hand over the patient's "good" eye d,8e?ver that the visgone"1 eyd is Practically wmftSr thG operat,on. the confederate will demonstrate the success of the operation, by placing the proper type of lens over the "bad" eye as well as over tho "good" eye. When this j test Is made the patient finds that the chart can be read In whole or in pait with the "bad" eye, arid i8 firmly convinced of the success of the operation. He feels that even if the men have lied, his own eyes and very senses have not deceived him tlrn to^FT^011 comPIete and the viemire H , 1 a.s to lta 8>'?ess. the fake doctor asks for a blank check and tells the victim to sign It. This formality ended, the fake doctor Sate?- a Thrap!d ..comP?tation, and to *SK7KnT.?? ra<Uum used amounts nv for fhn I?1 charge a penny for the operation, and we'll make ' ? cl?eck f?r 1850.00 even money. I must have this in cash, as I'm catching a late night train, so I'll have to ask you to go to the bank wkh us ?h,S check cashed as I must furn "t a?r ?,tbe rad,um on my return to the hospital." The check is made payable to the to?" tCt0r "?r,,beARER." The "doci?r 'nd?raea3 and has the maker er to thlT ihen take th? m?ker to the locai bankr. One of the conspirators remains in the car. The to the bank Jhe "n8U8Pecting victim cashes it . observe whether he with t hi ,nto convcrsatiou with the cashier, vice-president or president of the bank. it T!l? /utim returns with tho cash It is delivered to the fake doctor 1 he conspirators drive tho victim ( back to his home, shake hands with I lousiv The depart^c gracwaitine fir ? KOr man 18 uauaIl.v waiting for them somewhere alone nn unfrequented roadside or In-a nearAB the8e "specialists" do not trust one another and cheat each 0"h*?* k rZ, u 0r?'8n<1?<' operation another two weeks b?v '/L.tha, Jicllm about of the rtntr different members or the ring; one claiming to be a Judge eTU^ali8t'and th0 other I "spSiall^r JUr repr?wnt that the 3SRk vLlrSarTl. ihz,op,onk enough to make tee that ?n anamination he mala to determine whether the ope^on . .. '.'-.X 1 'I had been successful. aud directed tiiat the money paid for the oporatlon ho returned if it wan not a success. The pretended judge falsely represents that tie is settlinK the estuto of the deceased doctor, and tliat he stands ready to make the refund if the operation failed. An examination is then made on the pretepae of determining whether the operation vsus successful, following which ttie new fake doctor annouoces: "I find tlmt you have 'cancorosls' of the eye in tlie very worst j form, and unless something Is done at once you will be paralysed and | probably lose your life. Hut you can tXj"fcured A renowned Oerinun physician named Krupp jpvented a holt which if worn will cure it. The belt gives off radium rays and Is a sure cure, as it corrects the condition of the blood." The victim is told there are only a small number of these belts in existence as l)r. Krupp died without leaving the formula. It Is claimed that tlie belts are in possession .of a few renowned hospitals and that the "doctor's" own hospital 1h one of them. A child related to the "Ju$ge" is ut present wearing the belt hut as tlie child is practically cured of infantile paralysis, the belt will ho available in a short time. The victim 1h told that lie can rent the belt for a dollar a day hut because of its great value, he must post a deposit for its safe return. It is understood that there will be no charge for the holt if it does not effect a cure and thut the deposit will he given back when tlie belt is returned. ?ln this way victims are- induced to give the fake eye specialists largo amounts in the form of checks or cash | as security, in tho belief that the deposit will he held until tlie return of the belt; hut the fakers casli the checks as quickly as possible, and seldom deliver the belts. . j In a few Instances belts have been delivered, but they were found to have no curative properties, and to have cost hut a few dollars. ^Usually the fakers fill in the checks and have the victims sign them. Thoy leave a space after tho name of the payee in which later to write the words "or hearer," so that they may more readily negotiate them. In some cases where bolts were delivered, additional sums were obtain" ed from the victims on ground that they lived where the police protection was not adequate and the belt might he stolen. Post office inspectors sent out circulars describing the plan of operation of these fake eye specialists, and as a result of this circularizatlon fifteen of them have been arrested. Two have already been convicted, one being sentenced to twentyfive years imprisonment and one to five years. Others are in Jail waiting trial or are out oh bond. But this does not account for all of the swindlers. There are many In the Glimmer Racket, and they may show up anywhere at any time, for they operate from coast to coast. It 1b especially desired to have this Information brought to the attention of the aged and all those afflicted with eye ailments. The Department is confident of the active assistance of all decent citizens. Such assistance can best be rendered by bringing any and all known complaints promptly to the attention of your local peace officers and your Postmaster. The publication of this article will deter many of those who are engaged in this despicable racket from further activities. It will make any continued activity on the part of the others extrthuely hazardous and It will have a restraining Influence upon those who might otherwise bo tempted to engage In this or a similar type of swindle. Midway 8chool Honor Roll Grade 1?Margaret Young Watklns, Marlon Shannon Stevenson, Jlmmte Rldeoutte. Grade 2?Ermine Mae Hayes, Gladys Horton, Grace Threatt, David WOBt. Grade 3?Bertha Hayes, Donald Holland, Betty Jane McCaskill, Julia Knight, Claud West, Jr., Margaret Luclle Elliott, Sarah June Rozler. Grado 5?'Lillian Rodgers, Thomas Hough, Sarah Catherine Watklns,! Ralph Young. Grado 6?Aza Lee' Ingram, Cleatls Threatt. i.j_ Grade 7?Jessie Parker, Troy West. Grade 8?-Pauline Catoe. Grade 10-?'Thelma Brannon, Willie J. Parker. Grade 11?Gene Cooper, Emily McCoy, Laurie West. The government of Portugal has severed its relations with the totter ing government of Spain. Baron DeKalb Honor Roll An honor ptipll is one who la graded excellent on everything including conduct and attendance. Grade 1?No reports for flrBt six weeks. I Grade 2?Camilla Owens. Grade 3?.Tackle Jones, Douglas ^ Barflold, Norma Lee Horton! Grade 4?Barbara Ann Ogburn. Oracle 6?Dottle Broome, Nancy Lee Owens,. Johnny Sowell, Carolyn Owens, Jewel Hornsby. >Grade 6?Beatrice Gulledge. Beware The Cough From a common cold That Hangs On h ^ matter how many medicines you a\. tried for your cough, chest cold iilf hial irritation, you can get re5' 1iOW with Creomulsion. Creomul_ ,3Si4!ts commOTntalnS 1110 imemejr SSl ,as' Syrup?of twStc15Phie1ComPotj.,cl with Tar, fluid extract of | Oconee Root, fluid extract of Ipecac pfT? Powerful phlegm loosening JTr^: fluid extract of Cascara for its Sm la*ative effect and, most imporof all, Beech wood Creosote la blended With all of these to W* sourc? of the trouble from the oSmV Creon*ulsion can be taken freS\v2SS fig? wed membranes and heal the inl tated tissues as the germ-iaden phlegm is loosened and expelled. Druggists also know the effectiveness of Beechwood Creosote and they rank Creomulslon top for coughs because you get a real dose of Creosote tn Creomulslon, emulsified so that it is palatable, digestible and potent for going to the very seat of the trouble. Creomulslon Is guaranteed satisfactory In the treatment of coughs, chest colds and bronchial irritations and especially those stubborn ones that start with a common cold and hang on for dreadful days and nights thereafter. Even If other remedies have failed, your druggist is authorised to guarantee Creomulslon and to refund every cent of your money if you are not satisfied with results from the very first bottle. DonVworry through another sleepless night-phone of go get a bottle of Creomulslon right now. (Adv.) ? ? 1 Lee County Fair NOVEMBER 9, 10, II. 12, 13, 14 World's Famous Exposition Shows 700 PEOPLE AND ANIMALS J BEAUTIFUL MIDWAY 1 15 SHOWS 50 CONCESSIONS 10 RIDES A NUMBER OF FREE ACTS FIRE WORKS ? Man shot from cannon, . j i Exhibits Will be Wide and Varied Salt Water Fish Exhibit from United States Bureau of Fisheries ! TOURNAMENT - AND - RACES -J FOOTBALL LAMES % Special School Children's Day 3 Address by J. II. Hope, State Superintendent of Education. Several prominent speakers. SOMETHING WORTH WHILE EVERY DAY I Special ladies lounge and rest room. Wired in Kindergarten ! for Kiddles. Competent white ladies in charge. Froe milk three times a day. Mothers come and spend the day. We will tako charge of the Kiddies. All White School Children in Kershaw and Adjoining Counties Admitted FREE on School Day i i I Week-End | SPECIALS I Ladies' Coats and 8uits In all Fall Colors, and Real 8tylea Special for week-end: j $4.95?$5.95?$9.95 ! WALLNAU'S I I '"TT ^ PweatherW a Largest selling tire W V on earth! 1 --^\a as buys a big, safe V 1-Cartic see this world's greatest low price tire ?the Speedway NEW SURE GRIP Pulls through ( anything ?. ! no chains $8^up SIX BIG I FEATURES! I CAROLINA MOTOR COMPANY I I - - Camden, South Carolina | ^ v> - ~v-v>Y|-'*jj;j-Yl'*^' ^ ^ ~^ Ji4 V * tfr r. ** * ..> - '..--H? !. _ -** . .. .-v. .