The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-23
Thieves AT THE CAPITOL
Two Men Charged With Stealing
House Wrapping Paper.
William NeidfeIdt and Harry Will
and Herndon-About $1,000 Wort;
Taken From the Folding Room
Some of the Property Recovered.

Government paper, taken in large guam
titles from the folding room of the House
of Representatives, led to the arrest last
night OF William Neidfeldt and Harry
Williams, each aged twenty years, who
are held at the First precinct station,
charged with larceny from the United
States Government II is said that thefts
have been going on for months, and it is
intimated that an investigation more far
reaching than that which caused the ar
rests is now progressing. The youths IN
der arrest are accused only of stealing
paper. but it is known that committee
appointed weeks ago by Speaker Hender-
son is yet engaged on mystery said to
involve the alleged THEFT of many valuable
books from the document rooms in the
House basement OF the Capitol.
1t became apparent more than month
ago that paper to the probable amount of
1890 pounds, used FOR wrapping purposes
in the House folding room, had been
taken, but it was not easy TO discover the
leak. Lieutenant Lincoln and Detective
Belts, of the Capitol police. spent much
time on the case, and not only captured
the alleged paper thieves, but recovered.
after their arrest, much of the stolen
property Neidfeldt was arrested by De-
tective Herndon while at work in down
town theatre. Detective Belts captured
Williams on the terrace of the Capitol
building, in possession of a bundle of al
legged stolen paper. The arrest of Neid-
fel1t was made on information furnished
by Williams, who was first captured.
According to the police, both Neidfeldt
nd Williams have made frequent visits
to t,s Capitol, at times representing that
they WIS ed to see a Senator or Repre-
sentative. or,--gain. that they were mes
senger boys FROM the Maltby building
used as an annex to Nhe Capitol, in when
are numerous committee ICONS and doe.
ument room. The boys found J an easy
matter TO fool the employees in the House
| basement II is said, and, by such rep
! reservations. are said to have been per-
! mitted to remve from the Capitol build
/ ing considerable paper, with the alleged
! understanding that it was to be taken TO
| the MalIby Building. On a number of oc-
| casions. the police say, both Neidfeldt
| and Williams removed bundles OF paper
without suspicion attaching to them in
any way. Once or twice, however it is
said they were questioned by the Capt u
| guards. but the explanation that the
paper was for use in the Maltby Building
seemed TO have lulled suspicion TOR he
time.
When the alleged thefts became unus-
ually heavy, Capitol officials were mott
fed by those in charge of the folding
room of the House that much paper had
| disappeared, with no means OF tracing it.
Then Detective Belts set a watch on all
about the House basement. Yesterday
Williams appeared at the Capitol, went
to the basement of the House wing, and,
IL is said, shouldered a huge package of
paper and started to leave the building.
AS he issued from a side door on the ter
race at the west front Detective Belts
met him. and placed him under arrest.
The boy seemed frightened and said the
paper had been given him by an employe
of the folding room. When questioned
by Detectives Belts and Herndon, he ad-
mitted taking the paper, and is said TO
have implicated Neidfeldt in recent al
legged thefts
Detective Herndon Immediately started
out to find Neidfeldt, who he arrested and
also locked up. Both boys were later
closely examined and from them it is
said the detectives learned that "A portion
of the paper taken from the Capitol had
been sold at the provision stores OF Joseph
=. Roth, 934 Louisiana Avenue northwest
and James II. Hoffman 9lG Louisiana
Avenue northwest. II Is said the pris-
oners represented to Mr. Roth and Mr.
Hoffman that the father Of Williams was
employed in a large paper house else
where and that the paper offered for sale
was manufactured at this establishment.
Moreover, the police say, some Of the
missing Government paper was recovered
from these stores. After the boys had
been arrested, Detective Herndon went to
the home OF Neidfeldt. 724 Fourth Street
northwest, where, he says, Mrs Ncid-
ieldt Willingly permitted him to look
through the premises, but no property sus-
pected Of having been stolen was found.
Both prisoners were seen last night by
reporter in cells at the station. Williams
said he was first directed to the Capitol
building several months ago by Neidfeldt,
who, he says. told him he could get pa
Banking and Safe deposit. Onion Trust and
S..ltl.L 20 nm.