Legitimate brokers do not resort to sensational advertising; they do not guarantee profits; nor do they solicit funds to invest on their judgment. The functions of a broker or commission merchant are to receive and execute the order of his customers. When he offers to do more (except in the way of giving market news, advice or conservative opinions) he should be avoided. Promoters of pools and syndicates and disseminators of advance information should be carefully avoided. ON "SURE THINGS." HOW TO LEARN THEIR REAL CHARACTER. The cleverness and boldness with which the up-to-date investment swindler plies his craft are almost incredible. Wherever you find a fraudulent scheme you will find both of these elements present in some degree--but the comparative proportion of one to the other is generally determined by the element of time of operation. For example, if the projectors of a scheme are old hands at the game and have established records of the wrong sort, then the idea of quick results is not only attractive, but often imperative. There are many "old offenders" in the profession of investment swindling who have been convicted and have "done time" in jails and penitentiaries, but have not yet learned to prefer straight to crooked finance. Men of this character realize that a "quick getaway" is a cardinal essential of success; they must complete the transaction and get in the harvest before there is time for the public to wake up and do any investigating. The length to which the bolder spirits in this class will go almost surpasses credibility. Here is an example, discovered by Detective Wooldridge of Chicago, of the tricks to which they will resort in order to create the impression of having the backing of men or institutions of strength and character: Through introduction by social friends, the local representative of an investment scheme was able to open a checking account with a banking and trust company in a big city--a company of such high standing that it is very widely known outside of financial circles and among people of small means. Its endorsement was worth "ready money" to any enterprise, and the fact was keenly appreciated by the "fiscal agents" of the Brite & Fair Bonanza Company.