New-York tribune., 1912-01-18
WOMEN FILL ROOMS OF
SEERS RA|DED BY POLICE
Richly Gowned in One Place, with
Automobiles Outside Await
ing Them.
PROFESSORS" ARRESTED
Commissioner Dougherty Starts
Campaign to Drive Every
Fortune Teller Out
of the City.

Fortune Teller Out
Of the City.
The lot Of the fortune tellers was
hard one yesterday, nor does 1t promise
n be any better in the immediate future
and for this condition Of affairs Deputy
Police Commissioner Dougherty is re-
sponsible. for he started yesterday on l
campaign against the men and women
who follow the business as proiesSl"
and he promises to drive every such per
son out of the city before he lays down
his big stick,
Two alleged fortune telling places IN
West 45th street near Broadway, were
raided yesterday by him and twelve de-
tectives. The first place entered, CON
Quoted by professor Luther l.. Lloyd.
held five patrons. four women and one
man. The women were richly gowned
and hefurred and limousine automobiles
chugged patiently at the curb while
their mistresses listened to the chant of
the all-seeing professor within the
closed portals of the parlor.
professor Lloyd. six feet tall and
of imposing presence, was taken a pris-
oner TO the West 47th street police sta
ton. charged with disorderly conduct
Commissioner Dougherty then visited
the parlors kept by Professor" Harold
Sterling and Madame" Jennie Won
Diederich. a few doors further west.
This time they found eighteen persons
waiting in the handsomely furnished
rooms, a majority of them women.
There was great excitement and some
fainting on the part of the weaker sex
when the police announced their iden-
tity, but all were permitted TO leave, ex-
cept the alleged proprietOrs OF the re-
sort who were taken to the station
house.
In League with Fake Brokers.
After the raids, Commissioner Dough
erty referred to all seers. whether by
the stars, or the cards, the hands or the
bumps on the human head, as "the mean
est of persons, in that they trade on the
weak the simple and the innocent. They
are always after one thing-money, and
are in league with fake stock brokers,
with whom they persuade their victims
TO invest their savings"
Two weeks ago Commissioner Dough-
erty sent Detective Claire to Professor"
Lloyd's alleged fortune telling rooms TO
obtain evidence. Claire's experience is
said to be typical of happenings at all
such resorts.
According to Claire, he was met at the
outer door by a woman and ushered in.
The furnishings were of the most lavish,
and an air Of Orentalism was procured
by a free use Of incense. The professor"
soon arrived. gotten up in a long black
silk robe, a pair of glasses and an air
of deep mystery. He requested Claire to
be seated at a table, and then sat down
on the opposite side.
Claire was told TO look straight into
the professors" eyes for a full minute.
He did. He was told to write down his
name. address and occupation. and the
three foremost thoughts i'm his mind,
fold the paper and hold IT in his right
hand. He wrote David Moore, River
head. Long Island, farmer and his trip
of thoughts as. first, Where is Sadie
Reeves?" second. Where is my diamond
ring?" and third, Does she still love
me-"
Claire then folded these palpitating
questions and rang a bell to summon
the professor" who had discreetly re-
tired Claire was told to hold the fold
ed paper to his forehead with his left
hand. while he concentrated his mind on
them. His right hand was placed on
the Book of Lore" and Lloyd kept
stroking it affectionately. as he asked
Claire if he had saved $1,000
Seer Advises investments.
The detective blushed as he admitted
the amount was only $500 Lloyd sym
rathized with him and then mentioned
profitable investments that would make
the $500 multiply.
After deft manipulation of the folded
paper from Claire's hand to his, PRO
fessor" Lloyd told Claire his name was
Moore" and that his will power was so
strong it would require twenty-one
frances and SJI worth or certain oil
found in California to bring their wills
into harmonious accord. Did Mr. Moore
have $57 on his person? No, Mr.. Moore
did not but he had So, and without un-
necessary palaver the three bills We're
handed TO the professor" with S54 to
come.
On parting Claire was told that he
must stand perfectly still one hour every
night for twenty-one weeks, preferably
from to 10 o'clock at night and con-
centrate his thoughts on Sadie" If he
survived this he would find the missing
Sadie, An Identification card was then
handed 10 him and he was permitted
to go
Claire's evidence was submitted 10
Chief Magistrate McAdoo, who issued
the warrants. The prisoners were held