The Washington herald., 1909-06-11

AnFSstlsauon DN detectives for NOR,
than year eliminated yesterday after
noon in the arrest OF two boys. believed
70 be the cleverest and most daring for
gers who have victimized washington
banking Institutions.
Although the boys at first stoutly de
MED the accusations OF the police. they
broke down under the third degree" anc
are said 10 have admitted they wer,
guilty Of wrOng-doing. According to the
confession, which the police say they OBJ
tanned. the oldest boy forged the check.
and his accomplice cashed them.
Samuel Hoffman, OF 73s Sixth stree;
northwest. is the boy whose alleged for
geries passed the eyes Of paying tellers
at nearly every bank in Washington. He
is eighteen years old, and has recently
been employed as clerk BY a real estate
firm.
Frederick Russell. seventeen years old.
Of 604 street northwest, is accused by
the police Of cashing checks for Hoffman.
Russell obtained a position as clerk in a
laundry about two weeks ago. He has
also worked for several firms in the city
Claims OF the Police.
The police say Hoffman and Russen
passed worthless checks for small
amounts at drug stores in the vicinity
Of Washington Circle about a year ago.
and discontinued operations until about
four weeks ago. Bank officials recently
discovered forged checks were being re-
ceived by tellers, and report was made
10 the police A comparison OF the checks
showed that the same hand forged the
names on checks passed a year ago and
checks passed in the last month
Inspector Robert BOardman detailed De-
tectives Berman and Cox to the case.
and the investigation begun more than
year ago was resumed. The detectives
arrested Hoffman in Seventh street north
west. about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
and accompanied him TO police head
quarters. The boy was questioned for
more than an hour, and then removed to
the First precinct station. where he was
locked in a cell
Two hours later Russell was taken
into custody while entering his home
after leaving the laundry, where he Is
employed. Russell was questioned at po-
lice headquarters and admitted, the police
say. his part in the alleged forgeries.
The boy was removed 70 the Second pre-
cinct station. as the police thought II
unwise 70 place the two in the same
station
II is probable the boys will be photo
graphed to-day, and their measurements
taken by the Bertillon system. They Will
not be arraigned IN Police Court for sew
eral days, as detectives wish 10 make
further investigation.
The police are trying 10 locate a negro.
Russell Is said to have told the detectives
that Hoffman said he had given checks
10 a negro, who had succeeded in cash
ing the alleged worthless papers. Rus
sell declared Hoffman had been obtain
ing money on the checks he had given
the negro for more than six months. Tie
boy denied he knew the name Of the ne
gro, and said he had never seen the man
The police are in possession Of six
cheeks, aggregating S13425, which are
said 10 be forgeries. The first OF these
was passed on May L. and the last on
June g. According 20 the police they
represent only fraction Of the money
obtained
Payable TO Mrs. Kafka.
The check dated May I3 was drawn on
the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. in
Georgetown, for $3.50. Il was PAYABLE
70 Mrs. J. Kafka. was signed Samuel
Goldenburg. and indorsed by Joseph E.
Ross The check was cashed at the
Merchants and Mechanics Bank. Mrs.
Kafka is the name Of a saleswoman in
a Seventh street department store. Sam
uel Goldenburg is a shoe merchant in
Seventh street northwest The indorse-
ment is said 10 be fictitious All Of the
names are alleged forgeries-
Two worthless checks were cashed at
the Potomac Savings Bank in George
town on May q The first check was for
$3.50. made payable to the Real Estate
and Court Record Company. The name Of
c. H. Fielding. member OF the firm, was
forged The second check was for s16.75.
payable 20 Harry Bass. a tailor. with the
name OF n. ". Ofutt, prominent business
man Of Georgetown, signed. The check
IS a forgeS
Two days later check with the name
OF J. W. Offutt forged was presented at
the Potomac Savings Bank and cashed
for $3.50 The check was payable 10 J. !
Rudalker, which is supposed to have
been intended for ]. Rudolph The name /
Is so badly written as TO be almost /
illegible.
On June two checks were cashed at
the Second National Bank. where they
were presented by a boy supposed 10 be 1
Russell The first check was for SAe0 4
payable 10 W. T. Farrar. an official OF 4
the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company. The second check was for
1850 payable TO 9. II. Fielding. for whom /
Russell formerly worked. The check was
signed Z. p. Rupert and indorsed c. II 4
Fielding and W. p. Farrar IN a corner
Of the check was written for ad" The
names en- the check are supposed 10 be 4
forgeries.
The police say the boys met with
success in getting the
checks cashed. IL is alleged Rus
sell called the paying teller bv
telephone before going 10 the
bank and represented himself 10 be the
nj Ia u -