New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-10
HELD FOR STUMBLING.
Long Island Man Alleged to Haze
Defrauded We'll Kno1rn Persons.

Arthur Ester. who said he lived with his fam
Ely at Woodmere. Long Island, was locked up
in the East 51st street station last night. charged
with obtaining money under false pretences He
arrested the home of Mrs. c. K G.
Billings. wife Of the well known horseman, No
673 Fifth avenue. by Detectives Conroy and
Summers and when confronted with evidence
which the officers had collected against him
broke down ana confessed his guilt the police
allege Last Thursday he visited the home of
Edmund Randolph, broker.
Ester has been soliciting funds for mythical
organization which he styled the Telegraph
Clerks and Lady Operators Union" He an
nounced to all the persons he approached that
the union" was have a ball in the Grand Cen
tral Palace on ST Patricks night He had print
ed programmes and invitations which he dis
Played, and well were they got up that Il
was some time before suspicion centred upon
him. To further accomplish his purpose he di-
recteo that all checks be made payable to
James Masters, assistant treasurer of the union"
HOW much he actually received thus far the DO
ice have been unable 10 learn. but il is believed
mat number OF well known people. prominent
in social ana charitable circles paid him money
When Ester made his appearance at the home
OF M Randolph, al No g East 18Th street the
butler became suspicious when he was asked 10
MI Randolph had LETT d So substitution for
the Telegraph Clerks and LADY Cnara tors,
Dhi"- hdll' fit ielephoned to the East 51St
sNeet Sldllon' ana a detective was sent To the
house. Before he reached there however Ester
had got away - 14
Yesterday afternoon Ester called AT the Ri
lhlgS nome. IN Fifth avenue and was admitted
ny The butler. Upon announcing his mission
lister was ushere6 into a reception room where
'-dta. hliilhsS received him and listened TO his
story. Something told her that All was NOT right
enc she quickly made up her mind 10 Investigate
che told Ester 20 return in the evening and she
would have the money ready for him Then she
Immediately telephoned 10 Police Eeadouarters
anc TO a Western Union telegraph office and
asAeo ABOUT the union She was Informed that
no such union existed
When the detectives reached the house they
ND IN the reception room and awaited the return
OF Ester. Shortly after O'Clock he rang the he'll
and was ushered into the reception room where
1he buter HANDED him an envelope containing a
marked 81 bill. Ester had made request for
80 but before ne knew what the envelope con-
tanned he was placed under arrest
me police say that Ester readily admitted his
guilt and while declaring that there were two
other men IN the scheme with him he refused
10 diTuge their names. The police believe there
We're seven or eight E;en working the game
The police learned last night that J. r. Tai
menberg. Of No. 100 West Nth street, and Ran
dolph Gusgenhemer q lawyer. of No 923 Fifth
avenue, both contributed SO each II is ex-
pected that the list Will swell as the investigation
goes on.
Ester said that two years a go he was solicit
Tor for The NeWsboys Magazine and sold
stock valued At so IN that company to Mrs.
Coils p. Huntington.
Montgomery Maze and Marcus Nathan, of the
Grand Central Palace. went 10 the East 51st
street station last night and said that Ester had
not hired the hail for ST. Patrick's night Ester
graphed to-day. and then arraigned i'm the York
willie police court.