El Heraldo De Brownsville (Brownsville, Tex.), Vol. 49, No. 155, Ed. 1 Friday, December 6, 1940 Page: 3 of 10
ten pages : ill. ; page 22 x 16 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
CARD SWINDLE
RACKET BARED
. BY EDUCATOR
English Professor
Describes Method
0 Used In Fleecing
Victims
David W. Maurer I* an asso-
ciate professor of English at the
University of Louisville. Invest!*
fating underworld argot for a
f study of linquistics Dr. Maurer
met many "con game" characters.
The result: his book "The Big
Con." In this article for SEA
(service and The Brownsville
Herald Dr. Maurer describes prob-
able operations of the million*
dollar card game racket Just e»-
posed in New York.
By DR. DAVID W. MAURER
No one know* how many mil-
lions of dollars are annually separ-
«ted from their unsuspecting own-
ers by confidence men For a varie-
ty of reasons including shame at
being swindled many 1 marks" (vic-
tims) refuse to go to the police.
A hint to the magnitude of con
games is given however in the
4't atory which has Just come to light
telling of a con mob which swin-
dled well over 12.000.000 from a
relatively small number of marks
•long the eastern seaboard.
-The Rig Mitt*'
Judging from newspaper ac-
% counts the gambling ring used a
streamlined version of the “Big
Mitt."
This is a short-con (opposed to
big-con in that the amounts swin-
dled usually are comjMiratively
amalli game operated by confidence
* men w ho are also expert card mani-
" pulators.
The game passes through the fol-
lowing stages:
The victim is “roped" by a pro-
fessional •’roper." (In this case the
roper may have b-cn masquerading
as a business man bent on having
| a friendly card game > The mark is
brought to a “mitt store” the con
mens headquarters. In this par-
ticular swindle the “store' seems
to have been a socially outfitted
hotel suite There he meets other
. members of the mob all posing
under some easily-beneved guise.
Thrre In Mob
The mob ronsists of three men
I —all good card manipulator*. One
Is known as the “ribbing hand"
(the one who makes wise cracks to
distract the mark) the "kicking
hand" iwho is always grumbling
about his losses) and the "still
hand" (the one who says nothing
and always holds the winning
handi.
The mark Is usually allowed to
win substantial amounts in the
first few hands to build him up for
the final trimming. The deai which
takes his money is usually dealt
* by the mark himseK. This allays
any suspicion he may have.
.substitutes Deck
When one of the con men cuts
the deck however he substitutes
a carefully stacked deck for the
i* one which has already been in use.
Thus the hands of the four men are
already pre-arranged.
The mark usually deals hintself
tour aces. As the bidding starts
the “ribbing hand" gives the mark
a flash of his three queens Seeing
' them and sure he has the winning
hand the mark bets high—only to
io.se to the “still hanu ’ who holds
a straight flu ll.
This process may continue for
tome time using different com-
bination oT cards—as long as the
. mark does not become suspicious
and as long as he has more money
to lose.
Writes Check
I
f
I
I
y
I
[
ii me mar* ones not nave me
necessary money on his person he
Is encouraged to write a check.
Most ronllilence men prefer for
the mark to use a rherk. as it
provides a prrfrrt "rool-nut" it he
method of aliasing the mark's”
suspicions and getting rid of him).
As .soon as the mark loses his
money he may beef a little. Where-
upon the man who roped him
speaks up on his behalf and insists
on returning his check to him.
Alter some argument the roper
picks the mark's chc k out of the
pot. deftly substituting another of
identical size and color from a sup-
ply he carries for this purpose.
This duplicate check the roper
tears Into fine bits burns it be-
fore the mark's e\es and thus as-
sures the victim that he will suffer
no loss.
Thr -Tear-I p’’
I he good rherk i* cashed hut
the mark does not realize he has
been swindled until his hank
statement arrives. This is railed
the “lear-up "
After the check has been torn up.
•ome con men secure double the
amount of the chec' bv cleverly
switching the conversation so that
the mark feels obligated to par his
losses. He then writes a second
check.
When this game is plaved on
ateam>hips or trains as it often is.
it differs in some details and is
called the ' huge duke ” in recent
years the big mitt” has declined in
favor of the "huge duke” because it
Is much safer to fleece a man sway
Trom home
The present situation looks as if
the "big mitt" is being revived with
• well-appointed ' store" in a hotel.
CITY COMMISSION MEETS
SAN BENITO—Routine business
matters were discussed a? the reg-
ular meeting of the city commis-
ncn held Wednesday evening The
freup also h*'d a meeting for dis-
cussion Thursday.
A Round to the Nazis in Battle tor 5pain
As swastikas flv in the streets of Madrid and helmeted soldiers swing past Heinrich Himmler right
chief of Nazi secret police the Germans seem to take a round in the British-Nazi battle lor Spain’s sup-
nort in the oresent war. Parade took place in honor of Himmler's visit to the SDanish caoital
Edcouch To Give
Big Xmas Party
EDCOUCH—Representatives from
the Elsa Civic and Study Club. Ed-
couch Womens Study club Ed-
couch-Elsa P-TA. Lions club.
American Legion Legion Auxiliary
and the pastors of the various
churches of the community met at
h«* r.igh school cafeteria on Mon-
day even4? g to discuss a Christmas
tiee and program for the commun-
ity.
Those present for this Initial
meeting were Emmett Cooper. Supt.
Joe H Wilson. Mrs. A. J. Harrell.
Mrs. May Adkins Rev. J. W Shep-
herd. Rev. R G. Van Royen. Rev.
Howard Casada and W. W Wyman.
Tentative plans call for a com-
munity affair similar to the Arm-
istice Day celebration with the Ed-
couch-Elsa Communities cooperat-
ing.
All organizations ot’ er than those
named at the initial meeting are
invited to join.
Candy will be given to all the
children attending. Santa Claus is
to be present and in addition to the
gifts for the children he will have
baskets for the needy.
Mrs. Mary Adkins city secretary
will take names of families who are
in need and make up the list for
these Christmas baskets.
John H. Adams Edcouch. was
named general program chairman
of this community Christmas ob-
servance. Mr Adams states that
another meeting will be held soon
at which time definite plans will
be made for the Christmas party.
Edcouch Electing
New C-C Officers
EDCOUCH— For the first time
the secret ballot method Is being
used to elect new officers for the
Edcouch chamber of commerce.
Paul C Netz secretary is mailing
cards to all members requesting
them to return same before Tues-
day of next week with their nom-
inees Tor these offices.
A meeting of the board of direc-
tors will be held Tuesday at 7 40
p. m. to canvass the returns.
Present officials of the chamber
of commerce include E W Martin
president; Lynn McBride vice
pre.Mdent; Paul C. Netz. secretary-
treasurer; directors: Olan Davis
Claude Rodgers. Fred S Matter.
Honorary directors: Jos. F. Bvrnes
and Ottis McDaniel.
PALMETTO SITE OF
CIVIL WAR BATTLE
A line dropped out of a news
story in Thursday's Herald produced
what appeared to be a case of
scrambled history.
The story on the Junior Histor-
ians' visit to Cameron county bat-
tlefields. conducted with the aid of
Arthur W. Piggott left the impres-
sion that Palo Alta was the site of
the last battle of the Civil War.
In fact Palo Alto was the site of
a Mexican War battle. The Civil
War clash occurred near Palmetto
Hill* between Brownsville and the
coast.
Aim of the Junior Historians'
visit Is to learn about the historic
battlefields and to prepare for
marking with suitable monuments.
Club to Nominate
SAN BENITO — Nomination of
officers for the new year is to be
conducted when the Townsend club
meets Sunday afternoon at the home
of Miss Ella Keys. All Townsend-
ites and others interested are cor-
dially invited to be present.
1 BASES THf PAIN. Bring*
— quick relief from the duU or
throbbing "ache."
2 SOOTHES THE NERVE*.
— Relieve* that tense. Jittery
feeling.
3 BRING* RELAXATION.
— Imparts a feeling of com-
fort a ad well-being.
• Capudlne arts fast be-
cause It's liquid. There* nothing
to dissolve so no dels*. Reliable
because it has been used over 40
y**r* Follow directions on label.
10c. 30c. 00c bottles. All druggists.
Liquid CAPU0INE
Rotarians Given
Army Grub Lunch
SAN BENITO— RrgulaMon «rmjr
fare was enjoyed by members of the
Rotary club Thursday noon wheu
they observed their weekly meeting
bv joining members of Company M
Texas National guard. at the noon-
day meal served at the camp on
the Brownsville highway.
Food served by Mess Sergeant
Sidney Glover was termed 'both
good and wholesome" by the visi-
tors. Harry M Carroll. Rotary
member and a Lieutenant Colonel
in the Army Reserve corps presid-
j ed. and gave a talk on the organl-
I zation Captain Lew Williams com-
manding officer made an address
concerning the heavy weapons unit
■ which numbers 115 men and five
officers. Music was given by mem-
bers of the company bai}d.
A tour of inspection followed the
luncheon. The club was given a
demonstration of the handling of
machine guns and saw shells fired
from a trench mortar.
Pharr Has Benefit
PHARR — The Wesleyan Guild
of the Methodist church is sponsor-
ing a Christmas Bazaar all day Sat-
urday at the Kiwanis hall. Many
useful articles will be offered most
of which have been made by the
members and all by hand. There
will be articles of wood cloth hand
made toys animals and dolls; ar-
ticles for the kitchen articles to
wear and many pictttres.
The Garden club will have a
booth in the Bazaar and will offer
flower plants and bulbs.
Roman roads built before the
birth of Christ now are lighted by
electricity.
Three Join Navy
MISSION — Within the past 10
clays three Mission youths have
lelt to Join the U. S. Navy and
have oeen sent to San Diego. Cal.
lor their preliminary training.
Graham Crandall son off Mr. and
Mrs. C. E. Crandall left Wednes-
day as the third of the group to
go. Earlier. T. P. Achee Jr. and
Joe Douglas entrained for San
D.ego. The latter youth enlisted In
Beaumont and visited briefly in
Mission before reporting for duty.
Frankfurt. Germany has auto-
rrr.tic machines which supply
printed weather forecasts for the
subsequent 24 hours.
AID SEAL DRIVE
LEADERS URGE
Women’s Club Chief
Stresses Need
PLAINVIEW—The drive to make
the annual tuberculous Christmas
Seal Sal? the greatest m Texas
gained impetus with the appeal of
Mrs. J. Wering Walker president
of the Texas Federation of Women a
Clubs to more than 70000 club wom-
en. to aid in the humanitarian
campaign.
Mr!-. Walker joined other na-
tionally prominent women in ac*
live support»of the seal sale which
linances the fight against the dread
disease. The work of the Christmas
Seal Sale and the education drive
against tuberculosis Is carried out
in Texas by thousands of volunteer
men and women who give their
time without cost to the Texas Tu-
berculosis Association and the ma-
jor portion of the work in the 254
counties of Texas is carried out by
these workers in all walks of life.
Many In Need
*Tn this favored state of ours
where peace and prosperity abound
tnere are hundreds of men women
and children who are sick and dy-
ing from tuberculosis. Manv of them
are indigent cases who need only
the help that you can give to make
them healthy happy citizens again"
Mrs. Walker said..
"In every crisis where human life
has been at stake women have
never failed to respond. Here is a
gieat opportunity for groups of
vomen as well as all individual
women to serve. Whether she lives
in a large city a town or in some
rural community she is needed.
Here is an opportunity lor every
woman to erect a Living Memorial
to those men and women whom she
has known and loved and whose
lives have been lost perhaps need-
lessly. through the ravages of a
dread disease.” she added.
Message Of Mercy
"Buy tuberculosis Christmas seals
and let those seals on every letter
‘sent by a club woman during the
month of December bear her mes-
sage of mercy and love for all man-
kind. the hope that hearts may be
made lighter burdens lifted and
THIS WHISKEY IS 4 YF.IRS ni l* - tfi Pltoof - ( OPR 1«M0. Tilt OLI)
gt \Kf'R co. mhrimibi rc;. ino
m
NEW 1941
CHEVROLET TRUCKS
MOST POWERFUL TRUCK ENGINES
IN THE LOW-PRICE FIELD
"LOAD-MASTER" ENGINE
(Optimo/ o* »*fro coif o« Hoevy Duty true In)
1 MASSIVE NEW TRUCK STYLING
molting these new 1941 Chev-
rolet trucks the best-looking ot
well os the best-performing trucks
in the entire lowest price field.
NEW LONGER WHEELIASE
NEW RECIRCULATING RAIL-REARING
STEERING GEAR
greatly reduces steering effort—
brings true passenger car steering
ease to truck operation.
NEW. MORE COMfORTAILE DRIVER'S
COMPARTMENT
with greatly increased leg room
and better form-fitting seat and
back in cabs giving much greater
driver comfort.
60 MODELS ... ON NINE LONGER WHEELBASES
. ♦ . A COMPLETE LINE FOR ALL LINES OF BUSINESS
Tipotex Chevrolet Co.
Fifth and Elizabeth BROWNSVILLE Phone 1111
L•
the spirit of Christ and Christmas
be more perfectly manifest in a
world of distress and sorrow." the
Federation president urged.
• The challenge for all women in
Texas to relieve suffering and save
human life is great—and I have
'faith that they will meet it" Mrs.
Walker said.
The parrots tortoises reptiles and
birds of prey are found to be the
longest lived inmates of the London
zoo.
Brewster Will Join
Journalistic Group
AUSTIN—Sigma Delta Chi. hon-
orary fraternity Tor journalists at
the University of Texas will Ini-
tiate new members Jan. 5. Among
the seventeen initiates is I^obert W.
Brewster son of Mr. and Mrs. D.
W. Bremster of Brownsville.
In high school Brewster was active
In football the Spanish club Hi-Y
and served u co-editor of the an-
nual.
After attending Brownsville Ju-
nior college he transferred to the
university where he la majoring In
journalism. He is a member of Delta
Chi. social fraternity and is on
the feature staff of The Daily Tex-
an.
Darius Wilson founded the Royal
Arcanum a fraternal society. In
Boston in 1877.
2 Rift* for the price of
one! A $79.90 value.
You buy this powerful
beautiful radio at its
regular priceof$69.'>'
and get absolutely frte a <>. F. record
player that plays through the
radio regularly for $9.95.
The
WAVIRLY
•J69”
The
HEPPLE-
WHITE
Save up to
$50. With
Capehart*
Farnsworth
recordplayer
and changer
—11 tubes.
*139«
Pit MAYFAIR
Smartly styled in
rich walnut ; ; ; a
phono radio you'll he
proud to give or to
get! Com- $0 J95
pare price!
Tha REPORTER
Rich brown
walnut plastic
cabinet. 5-tube$
built-in loop
antenna.
IT’S NEW-IT’S
DIFFERENT—IUMIT0NE
TABLE LAMP.RADIO
Here it is — a beautiful
i»ory lamp wuh graceful
shade. And cleverly concealed
within the base is a full-sized
radio. Ideal radio for t«n.
use in the bedroom. wLi—
AUTO RADIO
A radio built by
R.C.A. at a price that's
amazingly low.
Powerful clear toned
worthyofthe
R.CA. name! ■
SILEX COFi’EEM AKER
An ideal gift. Has new
self-timing stove. Pyre*
bom Is black moldex
handles spring tension
filter and non- /nr
drip pouring lip.
Just imagine—AgcnumeOeneral
Electric Miaer and a set of matched
kitchen knives—two gifts for the price of
one! A total value of $23-20 ti Q9S
and you get both for only . i. | Q —
2 SERVI-FRAMES
WESTINGHOUSE
ROASTER*OVEN
This r e •
" i TT fS markable
M I roaster-oven
A I is so easy
HE m to use. so
B 11 ^_LL^J attractive
so econom-
ical to operate that it will he treasured for
years. Before < hristmas you get $Q J9S
anestragift—2servi-frames/rre. T^^—
^^^^fc^C.one are the
black looks
at black toast! Instead
there will be smiles of
joy when she
sees these 2 tD“J
grand gifts. •
Here’s a gift she'll
enjov the year around.
^ vLm.mP T She'll be proud too
of the rich golden
waffles it$Q9§
makes.
TOASTMASTER TOAST *N JAM SIT
The most famous
combination of JB&f \
toaster utility and agiS” .
beauty you can
tzirm ItLSL
Does he w ant a
bicycle? Here's
one he'll like!
TRICYCLES
$3.98 to $13.95
l **i
1 m 1
I
TOYS
98*
HAVE YOUR URSA FTI-SURfD
FOR HOLIDAY DRIVING
WITH
firestone
CHAMPION TIRES
Protection iftnnst
skidding! 34'6 sharp-
edged angles protect
your car against side-
slips and skids. Hctire-
safe for your holiday
drmng hv hating us
equip your car w ith a
set of new Firestone
Champion Tires
TODAY while prices
are still low.
Winter Non-Skid Protection
AT LOWEST PRICES
Tirtstont convoy tires
Guard against
side-slins and
skids and deliver
long mileage.
Eitra protection
against blowouts
is provided
patented
Gum-Dii
["• cord hot
«T ST
WAGONS
$2.98 to $10.95
LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAINS
$9.95 to $25.00
•UODV *t"
TRUCKS
ft* 1*14.91
GILBERT ERECTOR SETS
il t* $12.9S
IT’S EASY TO BUY CHRISTMAS GIFTS
ON THE BUDGET OR LAY A WAY PI
ELECTRIC TREE LIGHTS
Sets for indoors or JLQCtff
outdoors. As low as ” e”«.i
ll»taa ta tha Valca at Firattoaa with Richard Crook*. Morqorat Spook* aad the Firo*toao Syaiphoay „
Orchttfra aadar tha diractiaa af Aifrod Walloatlaia Moaday avaalaft avar N. I. 6. Rad NotwaHu
AUTO SUPPLY & SERVICE STORES
CORDON WHITE Mgr.
Brownsville
703 Elizabeth St.
Phone 671
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
El Heraldo De Brownsville (Brownsville, Tex.), Vol. 49, No. 155, Ed. 1 Friday, December 6, 1940, newspaper, December 6, 1940; Brownsville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1406091/m1/3/: accessed May 14, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .