New-York tribune., 1906-04-06
CHARGE HEARST PLOT.
FRAUD IN NOMINATIONS.
Jerome SAID to Hare Discovered
Wholesale Forgery

District Attorney Jerome appeared personally III
the Tombs court yesterday afternoon IN a e@se
which. It is believed. begins series or aeuohS 20
prove allegations that many signatures on me -
nominating petition OF William r. Hearst iast ran
were fraudulent Not only the signatures aheetihs
Mr. Hearst will be attacked. but from Is to W per
cent OF those the nominating petitions OF 'oliii
Ford for Controller and J. c. Phelps STOKES IoF
President of the Board OF Aldermen
The prisoner Yesterday was BENJAMIN y Sold-
berger thirty years old No 7s9 East 1i6th street
He was arraigned before Magistrate Moss on a
formal charge Of forgery in the third degree. he
was paroled in the custody of the District Attorney
for examination next Tuesday
The arrest Of Goldberger followed the appear
ance OF AIR. Jerome before Magistrate Moss earlier
in the afternoon Mr.. Jerome alleged that Gold
berger was one Of Mr.. Hearst's chief instruments
in procuring fraudulent signatures and a warrant
was issued It served Goldberger at his
desk in the Registers office. where he is employed
a clerk
Arraigned later. Mr.. Jerome again appeared per-
sonally and repeated his allegations. He said his
information regarding fraudulent signatures was
received from William Van Allen. who worked at
the Hearst headquarters at No 464 Grand street
during the campaign Van Allen swore. Mr.. jerome
said, that he wrote various names at the dictaton
OF Goldberger. taking them from the list OF voters
in The City Record
Goldberser at hrss held in 5000 bail. but had
an earnest whispered talk with Mr. Jerome and
parole finally allowed
The arrest OF Godberger. the District Attorney
sald is traceabl4 to several sources Joseph a.
Klein a commissioner Of deeds recently made an
afhdavt in which he swore. as did Van Allen. to
writing names at Goldbergers direction The atfi-
dat stated that it had been customary for several
weeks during the preliminary campaign. for him.
self and four other men. to go to the Hearst head
quarters at No. 46i Grand street. There he swore.
they were supplied with numerous blanks and also
copies Of the eligible voters, from The City Rec
ora, and ordered by Goldberger 10 copy names.
House
Klein. with the other men occupying the places
III Ihe IFahd street headquarters. was arrested sew
ersl months ago charged with having made false
ai!ndavlts In connection with the election The
other men arrested Henry Melrose. Louis Ie-
VINE ana George A. HeYman- The case OF yester-
dsy developed from these arrests
rolloWlns Mr.. JerOmeS agreement to parole for
Go!doerger, the prisoner. II is believed, made a
statement giving the whole scheme away. Assistant
plstTict Attorneys krOtel and Whitesde pres
ehJ Ihey had been investigating for some time,
and had arrived at the conclusion that system
lay at the root of the entire fraud.
Inese names were copied, il is alleged Goldberger
confessed from the voters list each certificate
HNe or more men. This done that each
would copy four or FIVE names In various spaces
separated by suitable distances, and the list would
different handwritings.
The commissioner notary would then afix his
signature denoting that the names were those OF
1t was said at the District Attorneys office that
IN one instance already found. in Assembly
hve hundred are known to be spurousy signed
Mr.. Jerome attended a private dinner with Mrs
jerome last night, and refused discuss the case
Al the headquarters of the Independence League
IN the Gi!sey House last night. Of the officials
OF the District Attorney.