New-York tribune., 1913-07-31
PLAN WASHER INQUIRY
Postal Inspectors to Investigate
Domestic Utilities Co.
INFORMATION GETS OUT
officials Surprised by Visitor
Who Seems to Know All
About the Case.

The District Attorney turned over 70
postoffice inspectors yesterday all the
informa ton which his assistants. Fred
erick J. Groehl and Walter r. Deuel.,
have been able to gather concerning the
Domestic Utilities Manufacturing Com
pany, which has been under investiga-
tion by the District Attorney for sew
eral days.
The two assistant district attorneys
had a conference yesterday with W f.
Cochran. federal inspector in charge and
Inspectors Hugh McQuillan and W. G..
Swain. At the end Of their talk IL was
announced that the federal authorities
would take up the investigation Mr..
Groehl and Mr.. Deuel. will cooperate
with them. The company makes vacu-
um washing machines.
The inquiry was started at the re-
quest OF persons who had bought con-
tracts as agents for the company and
alleged that in its system OF engaging
agents the company was simply using
an endless chain. allowing agents TO en-
gage other agents for the company.
This system IL was alleged by some
who said they had not yet received the
machines FOR which they contracted,
would result In having so many agents
that even II machines could be supplied
to them they would have no market in
which 10 sell.
Although II was believed that the IN
terest of the postofiice inspectors had
been kept secret. the inspectors said
that yesterday a stranger walked into
their Office in the Park Row Building
and seemed not only perfectly familiar
with the names Of the two inspectors
detailed to the investigation bu. also
seemed to have fair idea of their
plans lie surprised the inspectors by
jumping right into the middle Of things.
Il understand you are contemplating
Interference with the affairs OF the Do
nestle Utilities Company he remarked
I'm opening.
AS his visit preceded the inspectors
talk Win Mr. Groehl and Mr.. Deuel. and
the inspectors themselves had not the
case officially In their hands as yet.
they gaped in astonishment.
II would merely call TO your atten-
tIon.' continued the onniscient person
suavely. that all OF the postofiice tn
spectors ia the United states have put
their O. *. on this scheme There is
absolutely no cause for you 10 inter
fere. Look what the newspapers have
TO say about US"
The visitor flung an eight-pase sheet
entitled Tho New York Dispatch" on
the desk and walked out
The inspectors were much interested
I'm The New York Dispatch but aside
from the fact that the bulk OF its news
consisted OF articles laudatory of the
vacuum washing machines and the Do
nestle Utilities Company they could pot
learn much about IT, Its date was July
20. 1918 The front page sensation"
signed by &C.. Clifford Corbett." was a
eulogY OF the vacuum washer
Its management could be reached. 1T
announced. by telephoning Franklin
1884 or Murray Hill 1905 Its edito-
rial rooms were at No. Sl3 East l63d
street The telephone number In the
Franklin exchange is that of the Pen
tagon Printing Company at No. 245
Canal street. The number I'm tae Muir
ray I'M exchange. according to the tel
ephone company's information depart
ment, is that Of L. II. Woolfall. real es-
tot. daoIor ~ I.iF,b