New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-18
EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGED.
a RABBI OF PATERSON ARRESTED ON AN
OLD CLAIM.
HE SAYS HIS COURSE WAS PROPER. AND THAT
MISTAKE HAS BEEN MADE-SUSTAiNED
Ills CONGREGATION.

MISTAKE HAS BEEN MADE-SUSTAINED
by HIS CONGREGATION.
The Rev. I. " Benson rabbi of the Barnett Memo
rial Temple, Broadway and Straight-st.. Pater-
son. arrested Friday charged with embezze-
ment The arrest kept a secret, and the facts
not dvulged. Instead of being taken before
the Recorder. the rabbi arragned before Jus
tice George B. Senior and released on bail 10 await
requisltion papers from Philadelphia from Coun-
ell Bluffs.
The Barnett Memorial Temple is one OF the finest
structures devoted to religious in the city. II
has as it's supporters and members OF the congrega
ton all of the wealthy Hebrews OF the city. 1t was
dedic ated little more than year ago The temple
takes its name from ex-Mayor Barnett a member
Of the congregation who gave the property on
which the church is built and much Of the money
used in the erection of the building
Rabbi Benson, before becoming "A minister, was
a lawyer, and practised in Council BUNS. FROM
the charge made against him ana from MS own
story of the affair. it appears that WhIe ne was
practising law Abram Hirsch & 8ro;hers OF fhh-
adeIphia put into his hands for collection claim
against IT. Eiseman e. Co.. of Council Bluffs The
claim amounted to s335. Mr. Benson admits receiv-
Ing the claim. and admits collecting portion oi
the money He says he collected only portion
OF the money. while Hrsch Brothers say the entire
amount collected.
After the claim had been in his hands Tor some
time. Mr. Benson wrote to the Philadelphia hrTn
that he could not collect more than about 20 cents on
the dollar He collected this percentage ana re-
mitted To the firm so. The remainder he retained
his fee.
Afterward the firm of Eseman co. PAID lW
cents on the dollar. Hirsch Brothers say that ~
the dollar paid TO Mr. Benson. Mr
Benson claims the facts are not as the Philade'-
phianS
Mr.. Benson admitted 70 the Jewish ministry
shortly after the collection Of the ~ per cent ac
cordng TO his story. lie made an eloquent ana
forCible talkcr ana since his pastorate, which be-
gan about "A year ago, has gained many warm
admirers. He explains his collection OF ~ per cent
and the later settlement by the firm OF the fu
value Of the claims against them by saying mat
they made "A fortunate strike, which. ne thinks
was In connection with a silver mine They became
wealthy suddenly and voluntarily paid up their in
debtedness. What action they took in regard 10
the TIirsch claim the rabbi does not know Nnen
Mr. Benson was arrested Marcus Cohen, one or
the wealthy members of the congregation, went
his bond Mr. Benson says he does not wish 10 put
the authorities to any trouble, and will go TO either
Council Bluffs philadelphia without requisition
papers. He says he can convince any one tnat ms
course in the matter was perfectly proper ana non
est.
The arrest of the rabbi caused considerab bic sur
prise In the Jewish circles, and committee OF the
congregation OF which he is rabbi Will investigate
the it is said. Mr. Benson is about forty-seven
years old. He has a wife and two boys. The MEM
bers of the congregation refuse to discuss the mat
ter further than EXPRESS confidence that a mis-
take has been made.