New-York tribune., 1900-04-06
BROOKLYN NEWS.
RIDGWAY ATTACKS POLICE.
INDICATES WHAT THE LINE Of MIL
LER'S DEFENCE WILL BE.
VICTIMS OF FRANKLIN SYNDICATE ON
STAND-TELLER EXPLAINS HOW CARE
LEsSLY MONEY WAS HANDLED.


That the defence in the trial Of william F.
Miller the manager of the Franklin Syndicate for
grand larceny will try TO throw the whole blame
for the loss of money by deposors upon the police
who broke up the enterprise was shown yester-
day when ex-Distrfct Attorney James w Ridg-
way asked one Of the witnesses If it true
that at the time the police took possession Of the
property there enough money in the office 70
nave paid Mrs. Catherine Moeser, the complainant.
the $1,000 of which she charges Miller of robbing
her Why. the police have that poor woman's
thousand dollars now exclaimed Mr.. Ridgway.
It will be asserted on the part the defence
no proof can be adduced to show that Miller would
have carried out all of his obligations / the
police had left him alone.
The witnesses yesterday were depositors in and
employees of the syndicate The most interesting
witness Mrs May B. Thomas a young and
comely woman who acted as paying teller of the
concern from November 13 until the syndicate
closed its business. The District Attorney found
II so hard 10 get any information from her in the
shape he wished It that he felt obliged stop
point and ask her if she was not an unwilling
witness. She replied that she willing tell all
that she could remember
TELLER EMPLOYED BY sCHLESsINGER
Mrs Thomas engaged by Schessinger. and
her business TO cash the dividend checks Of
the depostors. Her hours from 9 a. m. until
1890 or Il p. m. and the checks handed in
turned over to schlessinger at the end of the day
After much coaxing she admitted that on
casions she had presented the report Of the day
tanned from Miller or Schiessinger just before the
t6rney brought out the fact that the checks were
cashed without any Endorsement and without any
Frequently Mrs Thomas paid out siS 90 in one
dav and on several occa sions thera we're large
desk night. The only protection for this money
was the wood and glass partition, six feet high.
which cut off her office. TO the door OF which she
Asked about a system of bookkeeping that was
used Mrs Thomas said that she kept no books
any books. She had seen Miller receiving large
sums Of money from schessimger and DAILY; one Of
saw Miller go away with a bag on November a
dends starting with 5000 and subsequently re-
ceivtng 5000 more from Daily. When the police
descended the place she had about $3.50, she
NO STOCKS OR BONDS IN OFFICE.
The witness said that she had never seen any
stocks or bonds around the office and that there
was neither telephone stock ticker in the
place.
Mr Ridgway asked the witness as 10 her famil-
iarity with the customs Of banking institutions.
She said that she was not familiar with them. Mr..
Did the police prevent you from paying off any
more diyidends?%
They took more money from you than ian would would
for IT, The witness said they did, and Mr. Ridg-
way, with a smile on his face, said that would be
Arthur Bragg, a drug clerk, Of No. 1877 GTove,st,
come 10 his former home. at No. 1l3 Walworth-st;,
and induced him 10 invest in the FRANKLIN SynGl-
by saying that he tMiler) had inside lnfornlt-
ton that enabled him make fabulous profits IN
Wall Street He invested and brought in four or
five other customers for which he received a per
cent Later Bragg was $50 put put on the
$50 but never received the principal back.
MILLER CALLED NAPOLEON OF FINANCE"
Mrs William 3. Angel of No. 81 Adelphi-st.. said
she deposited $500 in installments few weeks be
fore the Franklin Syndicate under. Miller
had called at her house and showed her circulars
praising the enterprise also a clipping from
newspaper printed in Illinois, in which 10 the
tent OF a column. Miller is exploited Napoleon
OF finance a wizard who in the confidence
OF them all. The Franklin Syndicate is spoken Of
conservative and safe institution Of many
years standing.
Oscar Bergs1rom a stenographer, living at No.
the Sunday school Of the Tompkns Avenue Congre-
gational Church whom Miller induced start in
the enterprise. Mr.. Ridgway tried 10 scare him by
asking him II he were not employed by curbstOne
broker. The trial then adjourned.
The first witness in the morning Mrs Cath
crime MOeser, the complainant She lives at No.
lH Howard-ave On November 16 she went the
offices Of the Franklin Syndicate, and after talk
the The syndicate suspended payment the
day. and Mrs. Moeser received no dividends
and lost her principal well After Miller had
left she tried get her money. She
nearly crazed by her loss. Tears trickied down her
cheeks she told her story.
The other witnesses in the morning were Fred
erick L. Cantwel of No. 187 North FOurth-st., who
said that check writer in the syndicate
and August Brandt, a grocer, who was a depOsitor
Canrwell said that he had induced his mother and
grandmother to invest in the enterprise, and had
received a commission the business Brandt
put in 800 in the enterprise and received $299 in