Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-19
IMPROPER CONDUCT
And Attempted Bribery Charged
Against a Rich Philadelphia.

New York, April 18-Benedict CHM
bel, member of the firm of Gibel
Bros. prOprietorS of one of the largest
department stores of Philadelphia, was
arrested here today, and, following ar
raignment in court. held on the double
charge of improper conduct and at
tempted bribery of a police officer. The
latter complaint was preferred at the
nstanct of the district attorneys office,
after Gimbel had been taken into GUS
tOdy and had, is was alleged, sought
an illegal relaase. Unable to furnish
immediate bail in the sum of $4,000.
Gimbel was committed to the Tombs
for the night.
The original complainant was the
wife of q Wall street broker, whose 10
vear-old son, Irver Clark was in the
company of Gimbel when the latter
was arrested.
When taken TO the Tombs police
court Gimbel sent for Attorney Daniel
oReilly and later when seen i'll his cell
the prisoner appeared greatly agitated.
1t was, ne said. his first experience be-
hind the bars and the effect upon him
was extremely distasteful.
The arrest was a terrible mistake,
but l do not want to say anything more
until l have seen my lawyer again"
Gimbel, who is SO years old, has Il
home in North Broad street, Phila-
delphia, of which city he is reputed to
be wealthy and influential citizen
Recently he has been stopping at the
Waldorf Astoria in this city and has
made the acquaintance of young
Clark. who is u cripple living with his
parents in West 57th street.
According to Assistant District At
torney Krotel. who presented the case
in court. Mrs. Clark intercepted a note
addressed by the prisoner to her son
and containing an invitation for this
afternoon. Directing to the influence
which the man appeared to have over
her boy, the mother reported the matter
to the district attorneys office and
detectives were assigned to follow the
two when they met today at the Cafe
Martin.
Gimbel and his companion took a
closed cab and drove up Fifth avenue,
followed by tie detectives in an auto
| mobile. At 81 street the carriage was
iie1iiSu anu llLC dllSSl Al ItllS
point Gimbel is alleged to have offered
the detectives $1,000 each for his i'm
mediate release. The officers de-
manded cash and as Gimbel did not
have the ready money the party went
| to the house of Wolfe Bros. & Co.,
where, according to the second COM
plant. Gimbel was identified. and
drawing check for the amount prof
fered. $1,000 to the officers. He was
then told that charge of attempted
bribery would be added to the other
charge.
According TO the district Attorney S
| office Clark told OF his acquaintance
with Philadelphia and kept today's ap-
polntITent at the suggestion Of the po-
lice. Benedict Gimbel is the youngest
of seven brothers in the firm of CHM
bel Bros. owners Of d. big department
store in this city. He is the one of the
most active members of the firm and
made frequent trips to London and
Paris. He was married about three
years ago and lived at 914 North Broad
street, q fashionable residential sec
ton of the city.
MI. Gimbcl IS prominent in Jewish
circles in Philadelphia and was one of
the leaders of the charity ball, a not
cd Jewish social event.
Late tonight Gimbel was released
bonds for his appearance in court next
Saturday being furnished by friends,
The identity of whom was not made
public. Speaking later Of his clients ar
rest Mr.. O'Rcilly said:
1T is a blacklnail pure and simple. 7
don't want TO mention any names, but
that will be the defence"
Concerning the charge of ATTEMPTED
prlncry the attorney gave out the fol-
lowing statement as made by Gilnbel.
L was excited. I feared the notorietv
lof my wife and family. | did not want
my name in the papers though entirely
innocent. | would have given all nos
SeSSed to spare my family. The charge
was terrible one. The publication of
IL would be awful for my family. To
save my family / would do or give any,
thlfiS ana then | explained to Detective
Richardson that $1,000 would about fix
II. was still excited when was
Drought tefore the district attorney. r
would nave done almost anything with
III my means to avoid notOrietv Anv
proposition | made to the district at
torney was to spare my family
Inc original complaint against CHM
Del was made by Mrs. Hudson Clark.
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