Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-16
:. Z 7 T
Charles Fosters Arrest May Lead to
the Conviction of a Pennsylvania
official Who Is High in
Authority

Is Anthony c. Armbruster to be
prosecuted for the crime of embez-
element or are the Philadelphia au-
thorities attempting to use him as a
tool to reach someone high in author
ity in the Quaker city?
The developments of the next few
days alone will answer this question.
Mystery surrounds the whole case,
Even the Los Angeles police are in the
dark concerning Armbruster.
Armbruster's true name is Charles
Foster. He was arrested by Detective
Chapman about two weeks ago at his
home, 1414 Maple avenue, on tel
egraphic information received from
Philadelphia. Since that time he has
been held in the city jail and the case
practically forgotten. Developments
tensely interesting.
But little was known Of Armbruster,
or Foster, in Los Angeles.
Six months ago he came to Los An
geles and until recently was employed
in the Adler Clothing company's store
on North Spring street. And although
Foster Is we'll along in years he was
known as one of the best clerks in the
store.
In company with Detective Stephen
D. Franklin, Foster left yesterday for
the east. From what could be learned
he is wanted on the charge of en-
bezzling $1,000 from the Strawbridge
Clothing company. 1t is understood
that the man was employed by the
Philadelphia firm as a salesman.
Some of the queer developments of
the case came to light on the departure
of Franklin and his prisoner.
Within five days after Fosters ar
rest Franklin arrived in the city. He
III n M DOWN
town hostelries and kept himself out
of the limelight Of publicity. Some
days after his arrival in the city he
called at the local detective headquar-
tiers and made himself known. He
expressed a wish that the matter be
kept out of the papers.
Quietly Franklin awaited the arrival
of his papers, Arrangements for the
transfer of the prisoner were completed
Ger called at the police headquarters,
presented his papers and left in cab
with his prisoner, for the station.
Franklin is known as one of the
cleverest detectives of the Quaker
city and has a national reputation. He
discussed the case but little until a
short time before leaving. 1t was then
that he made known some of the here
tofore unexplained facts in the case.
fOSlcI, dCCOluIlS " JllS OlllCCl ltOll
the east, was arrested on the charge of
embezzlement and was released on
hail. Shortly before the time for his
trial last September the clerk disap-
peared from the city. Since then he
has been wanted on the charge of be-
ing fugitive from justice.
1t is understood that Franklin let
the cat out of the bag by saying there
had been a reform movement in mu-
nicipal affairs in Philadelphia and that
high officials in the Quaker city had
something to do with Fosters disap-
pearance.
Connecting this and other statements
made by the Philadelphia officer 1t is
taken that Foster is wanted more as
a witness to testify in a case against a
city official than to answer for his
own crime. This much was indirectly
intimated by the detective from the
east.
Other remarks dropped by the officer
lead to the belief that with information
expected to be revealed by Foster one
of the prominent officials can be
reached for n serious offense.
Even the local officers did not know
of the anxiety of the Philadelphia
regarding his prisoner and his great
desire to get him out of the state be-
fore the case became public until yes
terday.
Further developments in the case
will be watched with interest.