New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-16
SWINDLING THE UNDERTAKES.
A RAscALLY ADVERTISING AGENT WHO MADE
FINE PROMISES.

A RAscALLY ADVERTISING AGENT WHO MADE
FINE PROMISES.
There has come to light clever scheme by which
the advertising columns Of 1.-THE Jewish Times"
paper published in Hebrew in this city, by DR.. Morris
Weschler at No 100 Norfolkst.. have been well f1ed
with paying advertisements. The underakers Oh thlS
city have been made the victims Of an unscruPuious
Israeite, who has played sharp game on lneii au
has In the course of his operations covered nearly '0
entire city. His plan Is to visit an undertaking eso
shment and presenting his card, inform the proprietor
that lie represents the synagogue or Hebrew society IL
that part.cf the city, either treasurer or seceS
and that knowing the undertaken to be reputable
business man, he has concluded TO appoint MN a.
undertaken for the congregation. After 'elnhs 'N,' "
O glib and apparently sincere manner nc Aus 'iaU WV
trustees of the synagogue are interested in the pupnca
ton of Jewish paper, and the undertaken was 10
have all the business of his district IL wouu W s
thing IL he would advertise in the paper
The prospect of sucn lucrative adnuon 10 MS
business made many an undertaken feel Literally III
clined and the swndler would whip out contract oS
which the victim would agree TO pay SO Huoh 'oi
years advertisement in the paper ,
The undertakers who were roped In by the scheme
have discovered that they have been duped' anu ee
the synagogues have no existence or the soo'S wv
them was false Among those who nave peon emin
died Is the firm of John w. Lyons Co.. OF NO oo n
onehundred twenty-sxth-st Mr. Lyons states Ioa'
tbe svdnder came to him and told nm lhao lno
Jewish society had become disguised with the meun-
DDS NJ the Hebrew undertakes, ana hau oeIoiinin0
in future TO give their business W "enu.o0'
He said that he was the treasurer OF INC iaiieni
1emnIe Of Israel at Fifthave. and One-hunurea anu
twenty st. and he wanted the firm TO do the I'M
dertabng for his church. Mr. Lyons "se e "
Obtain the work as this synagogue is attendcd Dy
,ysa,thv class of Hebrews. The agent then sho"eu
him copy of the paper which he said was the ohcla
organ of the congregation and asked hm 10 lnsei'
card for 300 year. .,,
Mr. LYONS replied that no never did any auVer'sn'e
,t the AGENT told him that the advertisement was
mere matter of form and the money was really ei.
IN the society. lie could have the aoVerusenens
drornad after few Insertions which were Just 10 get
bis name before the members. MI Lyons sgneu lio
contract and in few weeks Dr. Wechser' inc pun
Usher came around and collected SO 1or lhe inS'
three months. He informed the undertaken tiat no
woud get all the Jewish dead in that nelghoorho'u
N bprv After the agent had closed the contract Wlu
Lvons he went to Thomas Holberg, of No. 200 west
One-hundred and-twenty -ffthst., ana oHereu W "p
nont him undertaken for the same synagogue ior
q, N advertisement. HOberg told him TO call again
and in the meantime Lyons and leained ironi Nun
that he TOO had secured the supposed aPPoinChei'
Mr. LYONS then hunted up the president OF inc ienplo
of Israeli who promptly repudiated the scheme' iio
did NOT even know the agent and had no connecuoh
with tno phpoi' an rhi.A o,o
Messrs Adair and Aldred, of No. 300 Thlrd-aVe',
and ~ I Minor. of No. 434 Third-ave., signed
a. contract for 800 each and were eacn
appointed sections and undertakers Tor a synagogue
or rnirtv fourth.st They subsequently learned
that no such place existed, 1t having been torn down
three years ago Francis Bnghtstein, of No. l2o
East Thirst.. was another victim. He signed con-
tract for $50 and paid his first instament on the
suppostion that he getting the district south OF
uonston-st and cast Of Broadway. Among others
who were taken IN were S. l. Stenhardt, Of NO. d
Clintohst Charles S. ONein, Of No 4o2 East twenty
sixth-st; j. C. Burton, of No. &c University Place
and Henry T. Atkinson who has two establishments
ono at No % University Place, and the other at NO
227 BOwery. $500 49,, - - ..o
DIR. Wechsler the publisher, was hunted up by some
Of the rate undertaKers, but he dsclamed any con
necton with the scheme. lie said that he was only
the publisher, and had nothing to do with the con,
tracts except to insert the advertisements as Drought
him by the agents. ,, -,
a meeting OF the Undertakers Association will be
held this week and steps will be taken 10 have the
swindlerS exposed and punished Meantime lot OF
angry undertakers are waiting with club for the
appearance of the smoothtalking young man to col,
lect the next instalment called for by ms contract
>Vith them,