Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-14
ALLEGED CONSPIRACY
DIR. THOa ]. KEMP THINKS HE
WAS VICTIM OF PLOT.
Scheme to Break Faro Bank-Estab-
ushment Of "Canheld" Club
Headquarters Here.

Inspector Boardman. acting chief OF police.
and Detectives Evans and .Cornwell were
told yesterday that arrangements were re-
Gently on foot for the purchase of the
property at the southeast corner of 18th
and H streets for use as a Garfield" club
headquarters. The men who made the
statement are Frank s. Romans and David
P. Tanner, who were placed under arrest
for alleged conspiracy to rob DR.. Thomas
]. Kemp, of 433 G street of 5000. Accord
ing to the allegation of the physician. an
effort was made to induce him to give up
$1,000 to be played at faro at a club in New
York. 1t is charged that Tanner was rep
resented as the man who was to be the
dealer in the game, and he was to tip Ho-
mans when to play. By investing the
1000 In that way. the doctor alleges, he
was to win 100000. He concluded to let
the police deal with the couple.
1t was learned by Detectives Evans and
Cornwell that Tanner reached this city
from New York last Friday and registered
at the Shoreham. his alleged accompl CO.
Romans. who says he is from Paris, having
come here eight days ago and stopped at
the New Willard Romans called at the
office of the physician week ago and
asked to be treated for nervousness The
patient became rather communicative. and
during 1.-The occasion of his first visit he
said he was from Madagascar, where he
owned rubber plantation of about p coo
acres. His close attention to business he
said, had caused his nervous system to be-
come impaired, and he had called to see the
phy Siclan because some person at the hotel
had recommended him. The stranger was
soon on friendly terms with his medical
adviser, and extended an invitation to dine
with him at the New Willard.
Thought Something Was Wrong.
Il became suspicious that something was
- nj he
ward. but 1 thought would see the thing
through"
During the chat between the two men the
physician was told that the patient ex-
pected warm personal friend to call upon
him later in the week and he was anxious
that the men should meet. OF course the
doctor told his patient that he would be de-
lighted to meet the friend. Nothing had
been said to him then about breaking a faro
bank. and it was not until the three men
met that the subject YVES preached. The
visits on the part of the patient to the Office
OF the physician were of daily occurrence
during the week. and Friday the physician
was Informed that Tanner would reach
here that night.
A second invitation to dine was extended
the physician. with Tanner as. one of the
party. When Romans told the physician to
proceed directly to his room without max
ing inquiry at the Office DR.. Kemp says he
became fully convinced that he had been
money and valuables a. home, the physician
went to the hotel and met the friend of his
patient
Became Confidential
Tanner soon became extremely confiden-
tial,'' DR.. Kemp says "and he preached the
subject Of wealth When he told me
could make $4,000 in short time 1 nat
urally became excited and showed interest
in the affair."
The scheme it was unfolded to the
physician. DR.. Kemp says was that Tanner
who was represented as faro dealer
thought he had been treated unfairly by
New York club men and he wanted to get
even. His idea was to get the assistance of
the physician and Mr.. Homans. he is al
legged to have stated, and have them pa
tronize sgame where he was to be the
dealer. He could signal the men when to
play large sums OF money and there would
be no trouble winning. Romans, the ply
stefan alleges, was to invest 5000 with him
and they were to play the game to win
100000 or break the bank DR.. Kemp pre-
action and he was to follow the two men to
New York, they leaving here yesterday
morning.
Informed the Police.
AS soon as the physician departed from
the hotel he hurried to police Headquarters
and told the detectives his story The re-
suit was that both men were arrested yes
terday morning. Tanner. it is alleged, had
dirk knife in his pocket when ne was ar
rested. and charge of carrying concealed
weapons was preferred against him. The
detectives found a Colts automatic re-
volver in his grip. there being eight shells
In 1t. The prisoners were taken to police
headquarters and questioned. Tanner says
he felt satisfied that he had been beaten
at game in New York, and he wanted to
get even. He wanted a stranger to assist
4 l.,
was selected He denied that he had asked
the physician to advance any money
After the prisoners had been questioned
they were measured and photographed.
Copies Of their photographs have been sent
to the police of other cities, with a request
that information concerning ..leir identity
be forwarded to this city. The detectives
say they found about 50 600 in fake money
in the valises of the two men.
Romans, the detectives state had seen
persons interested in the property at 18th
and II streets. and Tanner had also called
upon one of the interested persons after he
reached the city. 1t is probable that the
prisoners will be arraigned in the Police
Court tomorrow.
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