The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-26

Accused OF passing nVe worthless
checks. DR.. Charles w. Neft. alias DR..
Charles w. Hill. former fiscal agent of
the American Salvation Army of Wash
ington, and self-styled scion OF a prom
inent family OF New York, yesterday
afternoon saw the termination OF an ex-
citing career OF several months IN this
city when he was arrested by detectives
on a charge OF false pretenses.
Clad In faultlegsly cat English clothing
and smoking a cigar. the alleged i'm
poster was taken in custody as he stood
at Pennsylvania avenue and Third street
northwest, about o'clock. and escorted
10 police headquarters. where he was ex-
amined in the Office of Inspector Board
man. He refused 10 talk. and was re-
manded 20 a cell at the First precinct
station. pending a preliminary hearing
In Police Court.
Blank Checks Found.
According 20 the police. the physician
was intoxicated when arrested. and car
ried a half-hiled flask of whisky in a
hip pocket A dollar bill was found in
another pocket. and the police say a
handful OF blank checks, which had evil
IDENTIFY been collected from counters IN
banks In this city, were found In an inside
coat pocket Detectives are trying 20
learn something OF the mans history. but
their efforts so far have been 10 no
avail Neft will say nothing OF himself.
and the only information concerning the
mans past has been furnished the police
by hts associates at the army head
quarters where he was wont 10 talk
more freely than he was in a cell. When
asked II he had anything 20 say, Neft
looked through the bars at the reporter,
and then sought his iron cot with a grunt
OF displeasure.
The checks alleged to have been passed
By Neft range in amounts rom s25 10 S.
the police say. His method was 10 pur-
chase bill OF goods for a small amount.
and. II Is alleged. present bogus check
for a larger amount. pocketing the
change.
The list OF those victimized By Neft. the
police say. includes some Of the promi-
nent mercantile establishments OF the
city.
Solicited Home Funds.
Neft was in the service OF the Ameri-
can Salvation Army for only about six
weeks He solicited funds for the organi-
zation and. according 20 its officers. was
a great aid in procuring money for the
maintenance Of the army home in John
Marshall place northwest. Neft was dis
charged from the position OF fiscal agent
about two months ago. officers OF the
army say because the odor OF intoxicat-
ing beverages was noticeable about HIS
person. At the time OF his discharge
Neft is quoted as saying that women be-
gan his ruin and whisky completed H.
While in the service of the army Nett
told it's officers he thought he had re-
formed, and asked that they pray for
with girl who was a nurse at the home
and who has since disappeared.
Neft roomed In house next door 10
the army home. but sometimes ate in
the homo. The army folk say he always
appeared Immediately attired and
seemed 10 pay much attention 10 his
personal appearance. He is described as
a man Of gentle maners, refined and
cultured. showing evidences Of an edu-
cation superior to that of the average
He at times boasted. IL IS said, that his
family was the richest and best known
in New York City, and the credentials
which he presented 20 officers OF the
army prior 10 his appointment as fiscal
agent were signed by persons said TO be
prominent and influential The officers
refuse 10 divulge the names on Neft's
credentials.
Neft was arrested by Detectives
springman, Weldon, and Burlingame,
who have been searching for him for a
week. He gave his age as forty-six
years, his profession as a physician, and
his address as the St. Louis Hotel