The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-19
Prominent Merchant Arrested for
 Alleged Improper Conduct
TRIES ID BRIBE N. Y POLICE
Complaint Against Philadelphia Filed By Mrs. Clark, Mother of the Boy, With Whom He Was Driving
 On Fifth Avenue.

New York, April 1s.-Benedlct Gimbel, member of the firm of Gimbel Bros. proprietors of one of the largest de- partment stores of Philadelphia was ar rested here today and following arraign ment in court held on the double charge of improper conduct and attempted brib cry of a police officer. The latter com plaint was preferred at the instance of the district attorneys office, after Gim- bel had been taken into custody. and had sought an illegal release. Unable to furnish immediate bail in the sum of s6OoO, Gimbel was committed to the Tombs for the night.
 The original complainant was the wife of Wall street broker, whose 16-year old son, Iver Clark, was In the company of Gimbel when the latter was arrested.
 When taken to the iombs police court Gimbel sent for Attorney Dan O'Reily. Later when seen at his cell the prisoner appeared greatly agitated It was, he said his first experience behind the bars, and the effect was extremely disoulet- ing.
 The arrest was a terrible mistake, he said, ''but l do not want to say anything more until have seen my law yer again."
 Gimbel, who is 39-years-of-age, has a home in Philadelphia, of which city he is reputed to be wealthy and influential citizen Recently he has been staying at the Waldorf Astoria in this city, and made the acquaintance of young Clark, who is a cripple.
 Note to Her Son. According to Assistant District Attor- ney Kotel, who presented the case in court, Mrs. Clark intercepted note ad- dressed by the prisoner to her son, con taining an invitation for this afternoon. | Collecting to the influence the man ap- oeared to have over her borsv the mother reported the matter to the district at 1 torney's office, and detectives were as signed to follow the two men. Gimbel and his companion took a closed cab and drove LID Fifth avenue followed by detectives. At Fifty-seventh street the carriage was halted and the arrest made Gimbel is alleged to have offered the detectives q thousand dollars each for his immediate release.
 The officers demanded cash, and as Gimbel did not have the ready money the party went to the banking house of Wolf Bros & Co.,, where, according to
  fled and drawing check for the amount proffered 5000 to the officers. He was told that charge of attempted bribery would be added to the Initial allegation. Proceeding to the district attorneys or fee young Clark told of hs acquaintance with the Philadelphian and kept today's appointment at the suggestion of the po- lice.
 Late tonight Gimbel was released, bond for his appearance in court next Saturday being furnished by friends the Identity of whom was not made public. Shedding later of his clients arrest, 1 Mir. Orr said:
 'It is blackmail pure and simple. I don't want to mention any names, bue that will be the defense"
 Blackmai, Says Lawyer. I Concerning the charge of attempted l bribery the attorney gave out the ioi- lowing statement, as made by Gmbel;
 q was excited feared the notoriety l for my wife and family. I did not want my name in the papers, though entirely l innocent I would have given all l pos l sessed to spare my family. The charge was terrible one. The publication or 1 1t would be awful for my family. To save my family I would do or give any thing. and when l explained this to De- 1 teetive Reardon he said that 5000 would about fix it. I was still excited when 1 was brought before the district attor- ney. 1 would have done almost anything within my means to avoid notorety. Any proposition I made to the district attor- l ney was to spare my family" l The original complaint against Gimbel l was made by Mrs. Hudson Clark. Philadelphia, April 1s-Benedct Gimoei is the youngest of seven brothers in the firm of Gimbel Bros. owners of big de- partment store in this city. He is one or the most active members of the firm and made frequent trips to London and Paris. He was married about three years ago and lived in a fashionable residence sec | ton of the city.
 NaDC nHjIEKM WILT