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This newspaper page contains 4 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Chicago Eagle
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jul 21, 1900
Page
2
City officials move to curb loan sharks by banning or dismissing any employee who borrows from lenders. The comptroller William Kerfoot secludes himself to avoid money lenders, bars access to offices, and plans mandamus actions to force wage payments blocked by lenders.
Times-Herald reports a surge of loans to police and city employees by money sharks. An officer’s case against City Comptroller Kerfoot tests legal action as lenders use payroll to extract debt. Chief Ripley condemns the practice, urging officers to live within earnings and avoid loans. Mayor Harrison voices opposition and support for stopping lenders. Attorney Cantwell argues authorities can curb the problem.
Comptroller Kerfoot discusses the vast problem of money lenders in Chicago city payrolls. He cites dozens of pend ing cases, threats of personal liability, forged letters, and claims against salaries. He proposes civil service rules, a lender record system, and a special appropriation for extra bookkeepers to manage the payroll and reduce private debt leverage on workers.
A long report details public concern over creditors using public offices to chase usurious debts. It cites City Treasurer refusals to treat sharks as collection agents, notes the Weber and related schemers’ large debt networks, and includes quotes from Assistant Chief Ptacek denying office complicity while acknowledging debt enforcement issues.
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