The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-04-12
A ROPER SYNDICATE
One Suit Against the Mutual.
B. & L. Heard
Today.
STORY OF MISREPRESENTATION.
Plaintiff Repeatedly Interrupts
the Defendant, Saying "He
Lies, Good"

Inc first OF a batch OF suits brought
against the Mutual Building and Loan Syn
dictate of Jersey City for recovery of monies
paid upon alleged false representations made
by the syndicate's agents. was heard before
Judge Puster, this morning, in the First
District Court. The suit heard today was
that of Louis Siebermann of Hasbrouck
Heights, who declares that he paid S134 81
to 0. w. Roper, treasurer of the syndicate,
which has its offices at No. AZ Montgomery
street. Mr.. Roper, he said, promised him a
loan of $500, but after he had paid the
money "for preliminary expenses" Mr..
Roper didn't give him the loan and refused
to return the money.
Sieberman, a big burly Prussian, gave
his evidence in an amusing manner, and
after making a statement ended up every
time with ''Good."
Judge" he said. "dot company is a
swindle and Mr. Roper told to me one lie "
s'Keep cool, sir,n interrupted his counsel,
Mr.. Jno. A. Dennin vainly attempting to
stop the indignant witness, who added,
''But he lies, that man." pointing to Mr..
Roper, who sat in the front seat of the room
trying to look as unconcerned as possible
When Siebermann cooled down he stated
that he originally belonged to the Mt. Morris
Building q Loan Association, and when Mr..
Roper came TO him that shrewd Individual
made SO many rosy promises as to what the
syndicate would do for him if only he would
be a member and subscribe few dollars for
expenses, that he paid the $13437 on the
understanding that the syndicate would lend
the money to wipe out his indebtedness to
the New York association.
f1a
money. Good, und l ask him for the loan.
Good, but he no give me that loan. Goodi
no, dots badn daughter
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
I Then ex-Judge Seymour started the cross
examination by asking
Didn't you tell Mr.. Roper that you were
poor man with salary of $4,000 yearw
''No, sir; wish had $4,000 year then |
would not have anything to do with dot
Roper replied the witness emphatically
humping on the desk with fist as big as a
bunch of bananas.
''Now state the misrepresentation which
you claim have been made to youp queried
Mr.. Seymour.
Sieberman replied that he paid down the
money to Roper because the latter promised
a loan, but that loan resembled the letter
which never came.
"Before joined, they told me that if at
any time want my money back I have to
give three months notice, and get my
money back. But round this was a lie, p
witness said, with another thump on the
desk and the ejaculation "Good." seThey
want three years and three months time to
return the money, and then only pay rs per
cent. back.
s'That is their regular business, and their
profit to make people who want large loans
tired, so as to get out of them 25 per cent"
Counsellor Seymour, when the plaintiffs
case was rested, asked for non-suit on the
ground that the plaintiff had not proved
that the syndicate is a corporation with a
standing in court.
THE DEFENSE.
The motion being denied, Mr.. Seymour
opened for the defense by stating that Sieber-
mann wroJe to the secretary of the syndi-
cate asking for loan of $500 on his house
at Hasbrouck Heights, mortgaged to the
Mount Morris Building and Loan Associa-
tion. He desired the syndicate to assume
that mortgage because his premium in the
Mount Morris Association was too high In
formation was sent in reply that the syndi-
cate would grant the loan when his turn
came as borrower. He insisted on joining
the association and abide by it's rules
Mr.. Seymour added that he would show
by letters that Siebermann knew what the
mode of doing business was when he joined
the syndicate. Then he read the certificate
given by the syndicate in which there was a
the money in full would be returned with in
terest at 6 per cent.
The counsel called Treasurer o. W. Roper
of the syndicate, a little man with sandy
colored hair and moustache who gave his
testimony in a mild, apologetic way.
The treasurer read the correspondence of
the syndicate with Mr.. Siebermann, which
showed that the concern could only make
leans in accordance with the established GUS
tom.
did you ever tell Siebermann that he
could get loan within year." asked Mr..
Seymour, s'or that he could withdraw his
money at three months notice!"
mo sir, J" lisped Treasurer Roper.
This answer aroused Siebermann's indig
nation, and he exclaimed, ''Oh, mein GotU,
what lie."
'sWil you keep quiet?" said Mr.. DENIM,
moving his excitable client back to his seat.
One Of the letters read by Mr.. Seymour,
written to the syndicate by Siebermann, de-
nouncing the methods of business employed
by it, showed that when subscriber to the
wonderfully generous syndicate wishes to
withdraw the subscription paid in he can
not do so until after three years have gone
by, and then the syndicate will only give
him back seventy-fve per cent. of the
amount.
The hearing was postponed until this
afternoon.
CHRISTIE'S QUALIFICATIONS.