Banks and firms in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and London, it is declared, are known to have suffered through the alleged operations of the men, who were aided by companions in the different cities. Most of the concerns, of which there are at least twelve, all declared to be fraudulent, are in Chicago. LIST OF BOGUS FIRMS. The following is a list of the concerns, the names of which have been learned by the police: National Fire Proofing Company, New York and Chicago. Federal Trust Company, New York and Chicago. Keystone Structure Cleaning Company, Philadelphia. McGuire, Johnston & Co., New York and Chicago. Hessley, Johnston & Co. Hessley & Johnston, Chicago. A. A. Hessley, Chicago. George F. Johnston, Chicago. C. F. McGuire, Chicago. F. L. Cunningham, Chicago. Chester E. Broughn, Chicago. Lincoln Gas Light & Coke Company, Lincoln, Neb. Another concern dealing with alleged spurious bonds of Custer County, Idaho, the police declare, was under the direction of these men. It was the old-time favorite method of kiting checks and drafts among the banks and private individuals of the city and country that was used, and there is no doubt that it proved successful in this instance. Although it is believed the men did not obtain great riches in their operations in Chicago, it would have been only a question of time when they would have become wealthy, so apparently easy was it for them to get funds. OPENED MANY BANK ACCOUNTS. Accounts in banks in Chicago and other cities were opened and then exchanges of checks were made among them. Only the over-boldness of their operations caused their downfall. An instance of their methods would be the following: The Federal Trust Company, one of their "paper" concerns, would deposit a check in a Chicago bank made by the Keystone Structure Cleaning Company of Philadelphia, another of their alleged firms. The check would be sent east for collection, and in a few days it would be returned marked "No funds." OFFER BOND IN A SETTLEMENT. Meanwhile the trust company had checked against its account, to which the Keystone Structure Cleaning Company's check had been credited. When the check was returned from the eastern bank the Chicago bank would notify the Federal Trust Company of the non-payment of it. The Chicago firm would then offer explanation and apologies and give a 5 per cent to concerns that cashed the checks. When they came back, the men who got the money were shocked beyond measure and at once offered stock and bonds of twice the face value of the money involved as security. This quieted the fears and enabled the schemers to go on. FIVE MEN ARE ARRESTED BY DETECTIVES WOOLDRIDGE AND BARRY. Five men were arrested by Detectives Wooldridge and Barry, charged with operating twelve concerns. The Commercial National Bank was one of the victims. The men arrested are as follows: Chester A. Broughn, broker, 218 LaSalle street.