The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-19
Witness in Missouri Rental Com
pany Case Tells of an Ap-
peal for Aid.
HEARD IN FEDERAL COURT.
Theodore Steckner. Arthur Boe
merit and Mrs. Ida NJ. Pierce
Charged With Violating
the Postal Laws.

Just killed two men. Hit another.
Think he will die. Come to nv aid ct
once was the startling appeal tele-
phoned from the Union Station to NJ. A.
Barker. one Of the States witnesses in
the prosecution of the Missouri Rental
company on the charge of using the mails
Tor fraudulently n!srepresenting itself to
secure stock partnerships. by the COM
pany's treasurer and soliciting agent,
Theodore Steckner
The opening chapter In the Worlds
Fair inevitable boarding ng-house grievances
and hotel entanslements was aired yes
terday before Judge Elmer B. Adams in
the United States District Court
The prosecution contends that the de-
PENDANTS, Theodore Steckner. Arthur
Boenert and Mrs. Ida NJ. Pierce. obtained
sums of money from persons wishing to
avail themselves of the proposition of the
concern outlined in their prospectus and
sent to all parts of the country. aggre-
eating more than $3.50
In Its circulars the company adver-
tsed its Incorporation under the laws of
the State. with capitalization of $1,000
In the newspapers they advertised for
thirty or forty housekeepers at salary of
$50 a month. second assistant managers
and secretaries at SIS and s1cO clerks at
$50. guides and messengers at $50 and a
25-per-cent commission and solicitors and
inspectors at $50 and a commission.
SCHEME OF THE PROMOTERS.
Arrangements We're made, 1t is stated.
for representatives, In all of the big cities
and towns Of the country. besides the
establishme 1t of branch Offices at the
Worlds Fair and at Union Station. All
investors holding positions would get
guaranteed preferred stock. which was to
be paid back at par before any dividend
was declared. Any who might wish to re-
sign could do SO by releasing the COM
pany from claims to the handsome divi-
dends which were promised
The f1attering Inducements, It IL said.
brought great crowd Of persons to the
office OF the concern at No. 102 Laclede
building. Positions were promised and
the first payments of stock accepted from
many subscribers. it is said. In this way,
the prosecution claims. the concern was
able in a very short time to secure con-
siderable money on the alleged '.get-rich-
quick scheme.
1t is stated that little or no attention
was given the subscribers after the pay
mens OF stock. Houses were rented for
the advertised purpose of the concern, to
secure accommodations for Worlds Fair
visitors by leasing a system Of high
class private hotels, boarding houses,
flats and restaurants. and witnesses yes
terday declared that the payments Of the
concern were not met according to the
agreement.
stated that he had leased a house to the
concern and taken out 500 In stock. He
gave Mr. Steekner a note for the same,
which could not be collected until it was
due some weeks after. Mr.. Steckner. he
said on the stand. had agreed to make
him a manager or purchasing agent for
the house which he leased to the COM
pany.
AS he was sitting in the company's Of
f1ce one day, tn. telephone bell rang and
he was called to TIE wire. 1t was Mr..
Steckner, he says, declaring that he was
in trouble after shooting three men
DIDN'T BELIEVE IT.
'T just thought that he was lying
and decided to wait. After bit he came
in. He looked at me and then went into
the front office. His face was red and
he said: Here, take your notes. Why did
you not come to my assistance? I do not
want any person in this corporation who
is a coward and afraid to come to the
aid of one of its members I took my
checks for the $500 and went out That
severed our connections"
Other witnesses who were sworn and
who declared that they had paid in sums
of money from $500 to 500. and received
little or nothing In return, were: Mrs. Ida
NJ. Pierce, one OF the original officers of
the concern; Mrs. Cathcart No. 3272
North Whittier street; Miss Margaret
Jett, who answered for her mother; Mrs.
s. ]. Gueth. Phillip G. Erb, and Mrs. Elm
ma Wilkinson. No. 4123 West Pine boule-
ward
The case will be continued this morning