New-York tribune., 1906-04-17
big PROFITS" NIPPED.
Broker" arrested on Charge OF
Running 20 Per Cent Scheme.

P Cranston Thomas. who says he is broker.
was arrested yesterday by Central Office de-
tectives at the New York Consolidated Broker
age Offices at the Temple Court Building. on the
charge OF grand larceny He refused TO give his
address, but from papers found in his pockets
Il was learned that he lived at No. 143 Rogers
avenue The Bronx William II. Seaman. of No.
I55 9Th street, Paterson. y. J.. was the COM
plainant.
Thomas Company. of No. 80 Nassau street, IN
1904 and 1893, the detectives say. This firm sent
circulars broadcast over the country guarantee
ing profit of - per cent to spectators in grain
and stocks. il Was learned from the same source.
Postoffice Inspector Sutton was detailed TO make
an investigation of its methods OF business. and
learned ii is alleged, that Thomas was at the
head Of the concern and that Franklin Ever
hart was the manager.
Franklin Everhart was arrested in London
about month ago. and held in $4,000 bail on
charges of conspiracy and obtaining large sums
OF money by fraud With him was Harry Sam
llel Sinnons who was held the same charges
Simons was also known as Henry Seig ana
Henry Seligman" 1t is further alleged that
Sirnons forged and uttered four bonds OF the
Norfolk q Western. This is the same frauauleht
transaction for which F. Augustus Seton is now
awaiting sentence. and for which Colonel L. Z.
p COlmey. alias kid Murray, WAS OollNAS'oo
yesterday before Recorder Goff.
When Sutton met Thomas. il is said that the
latter disavowed all knowledge OF any intention
TO overstep the law and promised TO close up
the business at once II about this time
that Mr.. Seaman became a customer of the COM
pany and invested $500 in the hope of getting
- per cent profit his money. few days
later Mr.. Seaman received a check for S4OO
which he led 10 believe was his profit on
his investment. on the strength of this and the
persuasive powers of Thomas, Mr.. Seaman was
led To invest 81 200 more. He received no more
checks. and a few days later he learned that the
company had gone out Of existence and that
Thomas had disappeared. This was along in
the latter part Of 1900.
Although Seaman and the police have been
looking for Thomas ever since. 1t not until
The police then learned that the New York Con-
soidated Brokerage Company was sending IT is
alleged. circulars which were alluring as those
distributed by the former company. When the
police arrived there Thomas had gone, but he
found there yesterday.
AT the time the two men were arrested in
London. Detective MCCOnville. who arrested
Thomas says that papers were found them
which showed that they had been doing business
in London under the name of the Mining Securi-
ties and Investment Company, and that f.
Cranston Thomas was their New York agent
Other documents bore Everhart's name presi-
dent Of the Index Mining Company, Incorpor-
ated, Of South Dakota" They We're also con-
nected with several enterprises of a doubtful
character. SimOns. Seiigman is said TO be
known as Baron Bokupsky." and, according to
Detective McConvile. is under indictment both
in this city and Chicago