MONACO: Chip Racket

The Societe des Bains de Mer de Monaco (Sea Baths Society of Monaco), better known as the Monte Carlo gambling casino syndicate, has its own currency— round and oval celluloid chips (jetons) of various colors and denominations which the Casino sells for cash, to be used at the gaming tables and afterward redeemed for cash. Although strictly forbidden as legal tender outside the Casino, almost anyone nearby who frequents the Casino will accept them as such.

Last week Vienna police heard that a comb manufacturer in the suburb of Meidling had a curious and profitable order for 20,000 round celluloid chips. Too familiar were they with Vienna's fantastic deviltries to ignore such a scent. They found the little celluloid manufacturer patiently, innocently producing replica after replica of the Monte Carlo Casino's 100-franc chips. Anxiously the comb-maker regarded his visitors. When they inquired about the order, he spoke tremblingly of one Simon Rappaport, Polish merchant from Dombrowa.

Merchant Rappaport proved to be a glib gentleman who denied any knowledge of a counterfeiting scheme to loot Monte Carlo. Though he carried genuine casino chips in his pocket, he swore he was the guiltless tool of an unnamed citizen of the U. S.