Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-27
American Civil Service Insti.
tute Falls Under the Ban.
PRINCIPALS ARE ARRESTED
Had Ornately Furnished Offices in
Munsey Building.
TOOK IN $1,000 IN SIX WEEK.
J. A. McNulty and II. Van Vleet
Now in Jail-To Have Hear
ing Monday, August 8.

ing Monday, August 8.
Wanted-Bright. hustlinx men in all
parts of the country to act - district
superintendent. Salary, $500 per year
and a guarantee of three-year con.
tract. Address
American Civil Service Institute,
Washington, d. c.
This as the form of advertisement
which has been running in big daily
newspapers throughout the country.
and which resulted in the raiding of the
rooms Of the institute" in the Munsey
building by postal inspectors and police
detectives yesterday afternoon.
The ornately furnished suite of the one
time American Civil Service Institute, In
corporated on the fifth floor Of the
Munsey building, are closed as tight al
wax today. and the erstwhile force of man
and woman clerks, typewriters, and what
not. has been dissipated. The suite is
barren of everything except the mag
nitcent special design oak furniture.
The closing Of the offices resulted from
a raid upon the institute late yesterday
afternoon by Postal Inspectors Keene.
Rooms and Robertson. and Detectives
Berman and Cox from police head
quarters.
The Men in Custody.
The men under arrest are ]. A. Nc
Nulty. president Of the institute. and H.
Van Vleet, secretary. They were taken
before United States Commissioner Tay-
lor and charged with devising scheme
to defraud and using the United States
mail in Its furtherance. The prisoners
vNIA ~ q nd RI
fault of $4,000 bail.
Up to q late hour this afternoon bail
had not been forthcoming for McNulty
and Van Vleet and they were making
the best of the situation in their cells.
Only one persona man-called upon the
prisoners today. He went to the Jail
early this morning and left hurriedly
after q whispered consultation with the
two men.
In explanation of the charge made
against McNulty and Van Vleet 1t is
said that complaints were received by the
authorities that they were inserting
want" advertisements in many newspa-
pers, soliciting bright. hustling men" to
American Civil Service Institute at a sal
airy Of 81, 800 per annum. Before receiv-
ing his appointment the applicant was re-
quired to subscribe to $500 worth of stock
in the concern. The subscription gave
them a three-year lease on the job OF
superintendent. The institute agreed also
to refund the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. sub
scription at the end of the three-year
contract.
Yesterday all the books and papers Of
the concern were seized and taken to the
Post Once Department. and this morn
ing many of the remaining effects were
taken in charge by the police depart
ment.
scraping OF the Signs.
The words american Civil Service In
stitute, Inc.," were painted In large let
ters on the stained-glass doors of the
suite of rooms occupied by the company
in the Munsey building. When Star re-
porter visited the place this forenoon
three colored men with scrubbiny brushes,
soap and other things were busy securing
off the lettering and preparing to take
possession of the apartments.
The institute has been In operation here
about six weeks. and Is thought to have
taken in about $1,000.
Commissioner Taylor said today he
would give McNulty and Van Vleat a
hearing August o at p.m., unless they
are indicted in the meantime by the grand
jury.
The mail Of the concern Is being held up
at the post Office. 4 number OF persons
believed to have had dealings with the in
stitute visited the Offices OF the company
today, but found them locked.
DUN nave from QiS-
cussing their arrest. Steps are being
taken this afternoon to secure bonds
man for them.
Branches in Many Cities.
The post Office authorities believe that
with the arrest Of McNulty and Van
Fleet. who are described as 'prominen,
financiers of Buffalo, N. " they will
be enabled to crush out a gigantic scheme
for getting money with branches all owe,
the United States. Both Of the prison
In the American Steel Corporation and
the New York Central railroad.
1t Is the opinion of the postal authori-
ties that McNury and Van Vleet have
received many thousands of dollars
through their schemes in other cities
They are said to have incorporated the
American Civil Service Institute under
the laws of Delaware. April Z. 1907, with
capital stock of s35O.O0O. OF this
amount $4,000 was invested in bonds, i,
is claimed. 1t is believed the bonds are
locked in a safety box in one of the loan
and trust companies in this city In its
advertising matter the officers OF the in
stitute say:
we specially prepare for the railway
mail. customs and internal revenue de-
partments. and our facilities and coach
Ing are such that with proper co-opera-
ton on the part Of the student very little
difficulty Is experienced in passing the
government tests"
Recently the institute has advertised
extensively for district superintendent
In the various large cities. Before obtain
ing such q position the applicant was
compelled to purchase $500 worth OF stock
In the company. the postal authorities
allege.
Later. when James Kelby Of BROOKLYN.
N. Y, Is said to have protested to fne
police authorities. and the institute was
compelled to refund 500 to him. the
company changed It's program. In COM
munications sent out to men who an
piled for a superintendeney of a certain
district the company specifies that I'VE
require each district superintendent on
entering our employ to deposit $50 cash
money mo bonds accepted as earnest
money for the faithful performance of
his duties
Acted on Complaints.
The investigation into the affairs Of the
American Civil Service Institute by the
post office inspectors was brought about.
it is said, by numerous complaints against
the concern that were received by the
police authorities Inspectors Carter B.
keene. Rooms and Robertson co-operated
with Detectives Berman and Cox in OH
tanning rating Of the Institute, and then
the discoveries were made that led to the
raid.
After the of,cers had taken McNulty
and Van Vleet into custody yesterday
afternoon. they seized all the ledgers. flies
and documents, also thousands Of letters
ready for the malls and numerous applica-
tons for employment with the institute.
Inspector keene said that many of the
books and ledgers had been mutilated and
pages torn out.
lfS.tc