No. 32.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Tree.

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.,

T. F. Bayard.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 97.]

Mr. Fairchild to Mr. Bayard.

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.
[Page 36]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 97.]

Mr. Brooks to Mr. Fairchild.

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,

James J. Brooks,
Chief.