March 7th is Slam the Scam Day. This is a day to make aware of, and help to not be taken advantage of by scams. I have a few examples of scams in the library. Send me $20.00 and I will give examples of 20 more (tee-hee).
This first book, is a bound printed book from 1927 (this edition c-1930) is called “Answers to Questions” by George DeLawrence. The author states:
“Having had many requests for a pamphlet or book containing a set of expected answers for the crystal gazer…I am bringing out this manuscript, but it will delve further into the psychology of questions and answers, diagnosing same from the standpoint of both the performer and the inquirer.”
“The whole secret, involving the success of a crystal gazer is to answer individual questions in such a manner that the majority of your audience will be convinced that you are giving the writer a large amount of correct information.”
This is an actual how-to training manual on crystal ball reading, or readings done from a stage, talking to an audience. It explains how to be vague yet sound pointed, how to read subject’s visual motions, along with what they may mean, or are trying to figure out when asking questions. There is a lot of good information on how to read a person, and how analyze questions. There are specifics for large crowds, small groups, and individual readings, and plenty of examples for each. Considering how many mediums and fortune tellers are still around, shows us that this process is not going away anytime soon.
The book ” Coconut Cultivation” by H.L. Coghlan and J.W. Hinchley, 1914 is an interesting book. I bought it thinking it was just a how-to book on growing coconuts. However there is a more sinister program involved. The authors are suggesting (this to an audience from England, that while one could invest into a coconut plantation in Malaysia (then current main growth of coconuts and products), it is difficult to obtain property; one could better invest into British North Borneo. The authors’ quote:
“Its possibilities are great, and are acknowledged to be as good, or not better than any other tropical country, the Philippines included. Land near the sea, complying in every way with the requirements of the palm, is to be had on Government grant at the annual quit rent of 50 cents=1/2 per acre, for the first six years, and thereafter $2=4/8 per acre. Government is steadily supplementing labour by the introduction of Chinese coolies, who are born agriculturists.”
The idea was that instead of investing in current plantations for Coconut products, one could make much more money by starting in the field, and starting from small palms in the beginning. One cannot do that where coconuts are currently grown, so let’s buy property somewhere else. And then the book goes into the growing, cultivating, and harvesting of coconuts and their byproducts. It was still a marvelous book about coconuts.
Some scams and cons are born out of fear. During the 50’s, there were those feelings about atomic weapons being used in the USA. Here are a couple of rare books, “Atomic Bombing, how to Protect Yourself” by Science Service, 1950 (in good dust jacket!), and “How to Survive Atomic Attack” 1960″ by Roy Pinney. If you buy these books, you could better understand how to survive and deal with radioactive contamination, but also how to build a bomb shelter, and how to buy and store foods and water, along with other necessities one would need. There are also chapters on panic, looting, and sabotage. Even if you don’t buy a bomb shelter, you still need to buy the books.
Little note, I remember fire drills in school telling of hiding under desks for atomic explosion, or regular explosion if our neighboring town’s nuclear power plant was attacked, along with exit routes out of the city-I would be heading to Wisconsin.
“Fakers Old and New, A history of Cunning and Stupidity” by Maurice Chideckel, 1933, is a very good read about con men. I picked up the the book because I have several other interesting books by Chideckel (he was no stranger to sensational book writing). When I flipped open the book to look at the table of contents, I saw:
- “Within the Borders of the U.S.A…On the shores of Lake Michigan: Elijah II comes to Illinois.”
For anyone who knows the history of Zion, would recognize that Elijah II was John Alexander Dowie, preacher, faith healer, and the founder of Zion. I had to immediately buy the book. Not because I believed everything that Chideckel said, but that I have a pretty good collection of Zion history, and this would be a welcome addition. Who would have guessed, first chapter of the book. Dowie did have an interesting and conflicting story, and I will delve into that on a later post. He deserves an entire one. My grandparents, and great grandparents were some of the first people that donated, and followed Dowie to build Zion.
The next book is an actual paperback book my dad owned, and used. “See Without Glasses” by Ralph J. MacFadyen, 1968. It is based on the Bates Method of eye exercises from the 1920’s and 30’s that since has been disproved, and found dangerous. That method even recommended short direct viewing of the sun, something that after MacFadyen died, was removed from further books. I don’t remember Dad staring at the sun, but did see him reading this book in hopes of getting rid of his glasses.
With that book, is one I have from my Bernarr MacFadden (weird similarity to spelling of Ralph MacFadyen) collection of books. “Strong Eyes, how weak eyes may be strengthened and spectacles discarded” published 1901. I will not call this outright health quackery, one should read the interesting chapters on strong eyes, dull eyes, weak eyes, crippled eyes, diseased eyes, massage of the eye, eyes exercises, neck exercises, and constitutional treatment. The constitutional treatment is because MacFadden states “that the body requires more energy to be sick than to be well. If one is strong enough to resist illness and live, he is strong enough to recover normal health.” He adds “outdoor exercise is, without question, the best…And the smaller the amount of clothing, the better will be the results attained.” He did mention later that one should have a “due regard for the conventions” if needed. So much for my Thursday nude health walks.
The next two books I bought for my wife on her birthday. She likes to occasionally play the slot machines (she did once go to a tournament in Las Vegas about 30 years ago, and won several thousand dollars. Paid for plane tickets, hotel, food, and and even a used car when back home.) There is no strategy to win on slot machines. They are all a matter of chance. I will concede that there are some, like higher denominations, that have a quicker payout, but that is programmed in. I smile when my wife plays, and hand kisses the screen for good luck. She has her routine, as did her mom when she played Bingo. There, she surrounded her cards with good luck trolls.
You see, there are many types of scams and trickery used on people who have money, by those who want it. I didn’t even mention my friend’s anger when pumped for more money at Tiananmen Square for a bike-drawn ride around the square. Tiny print-not stated by driver-was per person, not for all. Or for leather bracelets force-bought by another friend, tied on by hawker at Square of Saint Peter, at the Vatican. Cons are everywhere.
Why did the fraudster cross the road? To get to the other con.
What did the fraudulent blog writer say about his work? It was a con-clusive masterpiece…so keep reading.
Librarytomes 