The Detroit times., 1913-03-10
MANY ARRESTS
| AS AFTERMATH
OF CONFESSION
More Than 80 Insurance Ad-
justers and 100 Others
Involved in Plot
REQUIRES SIX HOURS
TO DETAIL HIS ACTS
Chicago Official Declares Evil
dence is Best Yet
Secured

SOUTH BEND. Ind. March TO-
lore than so Chicago and New York
Insurance adjusters, and 100 other
ersons are implicated by Ben Fink.
Has Ftnkelberg. in complete con-
sssion made here Sunday, OF the
gorkings Of, an arson trust" the op-
rations OF which have been nation
'ide.
Fink confessed TO setting 80 fires
Chicago, and numerous others In
ew York, Fort Wayne, Ind, South
end. Ind, and other cities. the az
regate loss OF which total more than
ali million Of dollars.
Spuira. Scar & Brown, insurance
|djusters of Chicago, are the heads
the arson trust, according to Fink.
le declares they paid him from $500
ID $500 for each fire he set. they
,emselves receiving as high as $780,
10 for one fire.
Fink's confession was made on a
romise OF Ieniency. Charges OF ar
IN here. Fort Wayne and Chicago
III be dropped. and Fink will be
lken to Chicago to appear as wit.
ess against those whom he impli-
ated In his confession.
Fink, according to States Attorney
0yne. OF Chicago, holds the key TO
ie arson trust probe he has had
nder way for months. With a CON-
etc confession. Hoyne Is confident
.at before his investigation is com
eted. he will have had indictments
|sturned for more than $50 persons.
All ARRANGEMENTS had been made to
ace Fink on trial here this morning
the circuit court. Spira. Scar and
rown. whom he deeply implicated in
confession, had supplied him with
rec high-priced attorneys.
Sunday, Prosecutor Montgomery
ent TO Chicago and returned at noon
ith Assistant States Attorney Frank
,hnson and they then called Fink in
an interpiew,-H confession fol-
wed, II requiring more than six hours
him to detail his acts.
Following Fink's confession. John.
IN ssid:
"Fink's confession Is the biggest
ep toward breaking up the arson
ust OF any yet taken. II 10 far more
lluable to us than the statement or
zzy the Painter" who confessed to
ew York officials, because OF the
Commence and number Of persons
volved.
More than 80 arrests in Chicago
III be made within the next few days
the result Of the confession
IBecause OF the magnitude OF the
brkings Of the arson trust, Johnson
Id that 1t Is probable that a federal
and Jury will be called In Chicago
take up the Investigation.
Among the fires Fink has confess
as being responsible for are the
Flowing:
Large wholesale dry goods house of
'ael Gildenstern. No. IL White-st..
10000: insurance, 100000.
The New York police were warned
veral days before this fire occurred
at Fink was going to set 1t.
Chicago, March u. .Jl2, two-story
ker. Nos. 906-90S Millionaire; loss
900. fully insured. Fink's own
other was killed In this fire.
Chicago, May %, 1912, B. NJ Lavine
Co., No. 1141 Milwaukee-ave.; in
fred for $22.9 49;; total loss.
Chicago, May 1911. b. Spira & Co.,
}. 1922 South Peoria-st.; total loss;
surance, $14.500.
Chicago, July 6. 1902, Henry Bosch
mpany, No. 525 South Wabash-ave.;
cal loss; INSURANCE, $4,000.
chicago, L. Correll & Co., No. 1416
est Lake-st., wall paper and paint
pre-; total loss; insured for $1,000.
Chicago, Dec. II, 1908. Illinois Wool
company, No. 315 West Twelfth
total loss: insurance, $l9,500.