No. 32.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Tree.
Department
of State,
Washington, January 30,
1888.
No. 97.]Sir: I inclose herewith a copy of a letter to this
Department from the Secretary of the Treasury relative to pieces of metal
known as “spiel marks,” representing closely in size, color, and partly in
design the several gold coins of the United States, which are imported from
Belgium, and also relative to imitations of coins, postage stamps, and other
obligations of foreign governments and oar own, likewise imported from
Germany, all of which, it is alleged, are used for fraudulent purposes.
I will thank you to make inquiry in the proper quarter as to whether the laws
of Belgium prohibit the manufacture of the articles described in the
Treasury Department letter, and to report the result of your inquiries to
this Department.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 97.]
Mr. Fairchild to
Mr. Bayard.
Treasury Department,
January 21, 1888.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a
copy of a letter, dated the 18th instant, from Mr. J. J. Brooks, chief
of the Secret Service of this Department, in which he states that there
are imported from Germany pieces of metal, representing closely in size,
color, and partly in design, the several gold coins of the United
States, which are known as “spiel marks,” and which, as alleged, are
extensively used to cheat ignorant persons under the pretense that they
are the gold coins of the United States; and also that imitations of
coins, postage-stamps, and other obligations of foreign governments and
of our own, in full size, and in miniature, and of exact appearance of
genuine issues are imported, and that their importation leads to great
abuse and injury.
Mr. Brooks states that the “spiel marks” are manufactured by one J. C.
Laurer, of Nuremberg, Germany, and that the imitations of coins,
postage-stamps, and other obligations of foreign governments and our
own, are manufactured by J. B. Molus at Brussels, Belgium; Dr. Alfred
Mosch Kan, at Leipsic, and Kramp & Co., at Offenbach, Germany.
You will notice that Mr. Brooks states that his object in communicating
these facts is to seek to obtain the protection of foreign governments
for our citizens from such acts on the part of persons under their
control which, if performed in the United States, would be adjudged
illegal.
The matter is referred to you for such action as you may deem proper.
C. S.
Fairchild,
Secretary.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 97.]
Mr. Brooks to Mr.
Fairchild.
U. S.
Treasury Department,
Secret Service Division, Office of
Chief,
Washington, D.
C., January 18,
1888.
Sir: I have the honor to submit for your
consideration the following facts: First. There are imported from
Germany pieces of metal representing closely in size, color, and partly
in design the several gold coins of the United States. They are known as
“spiel marks,” and are said to be used as evidences of value in gambling
transactions, but are really extensively used to cheat ignorant persons
under pretense that they are the gold coins of the United States. This
fraud has been practiced to my personal knowledge for ten years past,
and has proved a serious loss to poor people. I am informed the
manufacturer of the so-called coins is J. C. Laurer, Nuremberg,
Germany.
Secondly. There are imported into this country imitations of coins,
postage-stamps, and other obligations of foreign governments and of our
own, in full size and in miniature, and of exact appearance of genuine
issues. The manufacturers of some of these reproductions, which are
prohibited in this country except by special authority, are as follows:
J. B. Molus, 42 Rue Florence, Brussels, Belgium; Dr. Alfred Mosch Kan,
Leipsic, and Kramp & Co., Offenbach, Germany. I do not charge
counterfeiting against any of the firms named, but simply request
attention to their practice of imitating representatives of values,
ostensibly under the honest plea for adornment as curios, but which in
its abuse is constantly leading to serious consequences. Experience
brands the practice as a vicious one, full of evil suggestions, and
should be suppressed.
The laws enacted by the Congress of the United States afford full
protection to foreign governments against the counterfeiting of foreign
coins and obligations in this country, and the purpose of the
undersigned in this communication is to seek to obtain like protection
of foreign governments for our citizens from such acts on the part of
their citizens, which, if performed in the United States, would be
adjudged illegal. Failing in preventing the manufacture abroad of the
articles referred to herein, I respectfully suggest that steps be taken
to prohibit their importation.
Respectfully, yours,
