New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-25
POLICE SEEK w. +. MILLER
FRANKLIN SYNDICATE MAN AND CECIL
LESLIE INDICTED.
CAPTAIN REYNOLDS AND HIS MEN TAKE
POSSESSION OF THE FLOYD-sT. PLACE
DEPosIToRs NOT YET ALL
DISILLTSIONIZED.

DISILLUSIONIZED
An indictment for conspiracy With intent 10
defraud was found yesterday by the Kings
County Grand Jury against william F. Miller.
Of the Franklin Syndicate. and Cecil Leslie. who
did his advertising. Bench warrants were Is
sued by County Judge Hurd for the arrest Of the
men. and placed in the hands Of Captain Rey-
nolds. Of the Detective Department. to execute.
Abou: noon Miller and Leslie both left the syn
dicate headquarters. Miller went TO Manhat-
tan. and shortly after o'clock called at the
Office of Robert A. Ammon. his lawyer After
staying a few minutes ne went away, without
saying where he going.
Two Of the witnesses who furnished the Grand
Jury with information. IT is said. were repre-
sentatives OF two large mercantile concerns who
testified that neither the Franklin syndicate
William F. Miller ratedl in their
books. Other witnesses were furnished by the
Commissioner Of Records Office several of the
employees there having invested in the scheme.
One Of them. it is said. made a demand for his
money and 1t was refused. He is the man who
made the complaint.
For several days it has been the opinion OF
those wei. acquainted with the workings OF the
syndicate that Miller is nothing more than
tool The real runners OF the enterprise are
thought to be men who have been carrying on
just such jobs before. SO young a man-Miller
is said TO be only about twenty-four years old
particularly his appearance is decidedly below
the average in intelligence is not believed TO be
capable OF carrying on so successful and SO
large a game. Cecil Leslie. who is much
older man and has shown himself thoroughly
conversant with all Miller's actions and sup
posed actions. seems a more likely man than
Miller 70 carry the affair. Then there ID
Robert A. Ammon, who is the counsel for Miller.
He is an old hand at such business. Ammon
was. moreover the counsel of the f.. s. Dean
Company the bucket shop concern by which
so many people lost their earnings few years
ago.
ANOTHER PHILANTHROPIST.
Miller is by no means the only one who feels
able 10 give go per cent year on the money
deposited with him. Another philanthropic en-
terprse similar TO the Franklin Syndicate. Is
In full blast in Greenpont-ave. This new con-
Germ, which It's promoters bandly declare. IS
conducted for the benefit Of the poor people. Is
named after the Father Of His Country. Inc
Washington Syndicate has for its manager John
G.. Agnew, who says that he guarantees ~ per
cent a week, but all the guarantee he seems
willing to show forth is his word. lie speaks OK
the men behind the movement as men or money,
who want to show the poor people that they can
make money by having money. The Washing
ton however, differs from the Franklin In that
it guarantees 10 per cent for 1fty-two weeks
only. After that the investor must withdraw
his original deposit and then II he sees mt re-
invest it, This remarkable manager does not
profess TO know how the money is made. but ex-
presses supreme confidence in those who do the
speculating. ..
OF the people who thronged the offices and street
in front Of the Franklin Syndicate headquarters
at No IA Floyd-st.. Brooklyn, yesterday the
majority came to withdraw their money Inc
de,,o nd of ali execution q
had given notice, were uniformly refused, ana
they were told that weeks notice would nave
to be given. Among the numper was one hAa
who held a certificate payable on deInahu. lhat'
however made no difference TO Miller lie re-
fused to pay just the same saying that 1t would
disarrange his bookkeeping. A.,
The game has been fully exposed In tho
last few days that many Of the depositors nave
become fearful lest their money should pe ios,.
The scene around the building yesterday was
such a one as often accompanies strike. La,
boring men Of all natonalities were grouped
about in the street. while as motley crowo
as ever gathered together was assembled IN
side 1t was plain to see that the people were
restless and uncertain, There was, however,
no excitement, and some conhding ones MADE
deposits OF $50 more, one man as late as
o'clock in the afternoon saying that ne TOOK m, no
stock In the newspaper stories ana had Jus.
made a, deposit OF $50 The deposltors hao
among their number men who were hlred py
Miller to make a show OF putting IN their
money as they were seen repeatedly 70 perform
their little parts at regular intervals. with
much loud talk. to attract attention.
Many gathered out Of curiosity or this num-
ber was ex- Charities Commissioner Burtls, VINO
said that he came to see what the place was
like and TO warn any he might happen to
know.
RAID ON MILLERS PLACE.
While detectives were looking for Miller last
night Captain Lees. Of the Fifty-eighth Pre-
cinct. and Captain Reynolds, Of the Detective
Department, accompanied by number OF aids.
went to the headquarters Of the Franklin syndi-
cate at No Ia Floyd-st., ana seized the piacs
with what II contained.
About S:20 o'clock James l.. Daily appeared
on the scene with papers, which he said had
been drawn up at the office OF House x Gross
man, which made him assignee OF the rankin
Syndicate. Captain Reynolds, tc whom ne
showed the papers, said he did not care ABOUT
that as he intended 20 take possession or the
premises. The Captain asked some OF the en-
ployes whether they knew Daily Their reply
was that he had been an employe OF MlIIer ior
some time and that he had been Sherin OF
Richmond County. Reynolds ordered az az tno
money to be delivered to him, and slVNo Wa
taken from a safe upstairs and Sf,oo iroht
baskets in the receiving room. the money was
taken 10 Police Headquarters
Lewis Miller younger brother OF 'he Ihan
ager was there and seemed afraid 70 go OUT
for fear OF arrest. At a later hour' ~ ociocn.
he taken into CUSTODY az was htr as ~ ,he
Cory Of No 142 Floyd-st., the casner OF ,l'e
svndicate The detectives found SSJoo hidden
in a sofa which the woman SAID she nao ~ tahsI.
fort t,a
aoan ro 80 ryas sfterward released. a mob OF peo-
nle was gathered in the streets from Tompkins-
ave. TO the headquarters OF the syndicate.
These people seemed 10 be enraged az the . ac
ton OF the police. They seem 70 have iosl
no confidence in the representations OF Miller.
and many were there anxious 10 make deposits.
Employees were found In the pudlhs anu
we're allowed TO file out. The place is now In
possession OF the police.
Now that the crash has come. how great the
number OF those who will be gnashing their teeth
IL and QQo fO-6a
when the extent OF Miller's dealings is remem-
bered ard IL is known that the police only got
about $4,000 as the result Of their aid. They
may get more. but that IL question.
Conferences between the Detective Department
officials and District Attorney Steele were held
at a late hour last night III the Borough Po-
lice Headquarters Miller and Leslie had not
at an early hour this morning been found, but
detectives were securing the city for them.
CONFERENCES AT HEADQUARTERS.
Captain REYNOLDS did not come into Police