The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-12
Mrs. A. H. S. Bird of Salt Lake
Victor in Case Against a
Number of Alleged De
Luxe Book SwindIers.
OPERATIONS OF GANG
COVER WIDE. WORLD
Profits Mulcted From the
Wealthy Victims in Many
Countries Said to Aggre-
gate $2O,OOO,OOO.

Tho United States circuit court OF
appeals in New York yesterday af-
| 6rmed the verdict of the lower court
granting Mrs. a. H s, Bird of Salt
Lake a judgment of nearly $4,000
against a number Of alleged book
swindlers, who are charged with hav-
ing defrauded Mrs. Bird in that
amount.
The case is one Of the several pend.
ing against score of persons who are
charged with having swindled prom
inent persons all over the world out Of
approximately $2o0o0,00o by represent
ing that they could secure possession Of
large number OF rare de luxe editions
of the best works of the world 8 great
est authors, and that these could be
sold at fabulous prices to multi
millionaire bibliophiles. 1t is said to
have been discovered that the greater
part of the books were not genuine
first editions, but were limitations
made by the alleged swindlers, and that
the others, while genuine, were Of not
nearly the value represented.
The judgment affirmed yesterday in
New York is directed against J. J.
Farmer, Clara G. Farmer, Glen Farmer,
Sam Warield, Sam Rosenfeld, the
Anglo-American Authors association
and the Keller-Farmer company. All
Of the individuals against whom the
judgment is directed are under state
and federal indictment in seven states,
New York, Connecticut, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts, They are ell
now out on bail.
Capital Needed.
Early in 1909 Mrs Bird was approached
by representatives OF the alleged swim
dlers. who told her that they needed
capital In order to finance a plan 70 pur-
chase rare editions OF books which could
be secured for much less than their real
value. She was told that these persons
had been commissioned by mutimiliion-
aires to get these books and that these
collectors were willing TO pay tho real
value OF these rare editions IN order TO
secure them. which would mean a hand
some margin OF profit for the person who
financed the project.
During March, April and May OF 1909
Mrs. Bird advanced $685. on the rep
reservations OF these individuals. She
secured a lnrge number OF handsome edi-
tions OF Carlyle Twain. Richardson,
Whitman. and other prominent English
and American authors. She also secured
number Of handsomely Illustrated edi-
tions OF Oriental works OF art, said TO
nave been the originals Of distinguished
Oriental artists. The works that She Sc
cured were said 10 have been represent
ed 10 be worth In the neighbor-
hood Of $500. 900. Their actual value Is
said to be In the nesghborhood OF $4,000.
Swindle Discovered.
In July OF 1909 Mrs. Bird discovered
the alleged swindle. and. through her at
torneys. Gustn. Gillette C Brayton OF !
Salt Lake, laid the matter before the !
against the persons who sold her the |
books and secured an Initial judgment OF
$4,000. In January, 1910. suit was brought /
IN M me e. FEDERAL S i court at New York in be-
was tried in New York in November OF |
19l2 Mrs. Bird being represented at the |.
trial by Frank ]. Gustin of this city. A |
verdict for the full amount and costs |
bringing the judgment to nearly SAT .000 |
was returned.
The defendants appealed the case and I
flied surety bond, covering the amount |
OF the judgment. The case was argued |
on November II last before the United |
states circuit court OF appeals. and word |
OF the decision OF the court was received |
here yesterday in a telegram TO w. s |
Mccormick, IA Their OF Mrs. Bird.
When Mrs. Bird gave tho authorities
the first information as TO the alleged
swindle. she opened up an investigation
that the federal officers declare has laid
bare gigantic fraud the receipts OF
which had been in the neighborhood OF
$4,000, 900 for the preceding six years
Origin of Plan.
The plan Is said TO have had rs origin
formed partnership known as the Kel-
ler- Farmer company, Representatives OF
the company visited all OF tho principal
cities or the world and are said 10 have
induced one or two prominent and
wealthy persons OF each city TO become
interested In the plan. Since Mrs. Bird
started tho Investigations persons OF
wealth In every part of the globe have
come forward with charges against the
alleged swindlers.
these persons and from the precedent
esta blished IN the decision OF the Bird !
case ~ Is predicted by t..ose interested
that all VIII be decided against the Farm
ers and their associates II has been
Continued on Page Four.)