Blackmail Trust.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 28 July 1922, Page 4

Blackmail Trust.

VAST SUMS EXTORTED

It is estimated that over £600.000 a year is extorted from wealthy people in New York by a "national blackmai ''trust," and that men of national importance are being victimised. The cperationa of the "trust" are said to extend all over the United Stales and, according to Mr W. Sherman Burns, of the Burn 9 Detective Agency, the annual foot is "simply appalling." According to the famous detective the amount of money obtained by blackmailers almost equals the annual harvest of all the highwaymen, burglars, pickpockets, train robbers, and postal bandits in America combined.

"Blackmail is tha big crime, of America to-day," said Mr Burn?. "The facts of these cases are not published; the police hear of scare* \ .y 10 per cent, of them. A list of only i; e more recent victims would contain iimny names of national prominence. Its publication would create one of the greatest sensations this country has ever known.

"More blackmailing is going ©n to-riay Mian a*- any time to my knowledge, and it is not safe for a man or woman of wealth to make a chance acquaintance in any of our large cities. The mest innocent meeting may be made f.ha baßis for demands of large sums of money. Almoßt as much money is being extorted through blackmail as is lost through thievery. The amount that is daily wrung from the pockets of the victims is simply appalling."