Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-28
Rubber Shipments
Falsely Manifested
Conspiracy to Defraud United
States Alleged in Indictments
Foundry Federal Grand Jury

NEW YORK. May GA conspiracy
to defraud the United States through
the filing Of false manifest on ex-
ports of rubber. in order to conceal its
contraband character. is alleged in in
dictments found by the Federal grand
Jury to-day against AIRY r. Solomon,
his cousin. Albert Solomon, Of the
importing and exporting firm Of Salo-
mon Brothers. Of this city; Albert b.
Newman. commission merchant:
Franz Rosenberg, of Hanover. Ger
many, representative here or an Aus
TRAN rubber company. and Sigmund
karman. Of Budapest. Hungary. rub
Der expert. who also is said TO be in
the city.
Two shipments of fine grade OF
rubber. valued at $4,000. was alleged
to have been falsely manifested for
export. probably TO Germany, by way
of Italy. One lot, 1t is stated. was
found concealed in 300 barrels OF resin.
and the other In IFS bales of cotton
waste. The shipments were detected
as the result of an X-ray examination,
and were seized. While classed as
technical violations of the customs
laws. the acts charged also are con-
sidcred by Federal officials to he viola
tons Of American neutrality.
According 10 information given out
By Assistant District Attorney Wood
Harry Solomon was abroad when the
war broke out, and being a German
army reservist. answered the call TO
the Colors. In the course of "A few
months. IL is stated, he vas made a
lieutenant. so as to organize the rub
bcr contraband conspiracy According
to Mr.. Wood he was given a furlough
and came to this country. where he es-
tablished rubber smelling plant at
Green Point, l.. |. He and his asso-
ciates, 1t is stated, were we'll supplied
with money.
Solomon Brothers & Co. is re-
Rardcd as ono of the biggest importing
and exporting houses in the country.
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANTS
ISSUE STATEMENT
Counsel for the defendants, in a
statement issued late to-day, said
Franz Rosenberg, merchant Of
Hanover. Germany. came to this Coun-
try for the purpose of purchasing rub
her for certain rubber concerns in
Austria. Sigmund Karman. OF the rub
Der concerns. accompanied him for the
purpose OF passing on the quality of
the rubber Newman was employed
by them TO DO odds and ends
In shipping the rubber in the man.
ncr they did. they did SO for the pur-
pose OF circumventing the enemy and
had not in view violation Of any
statute. They did not know that there
was statute on the books which com :
PEELED them to give proper discrip-
ton in the manifest OF the shipment.
II they failed to comply with the Law
in having given an improper descrip-
ton in the manifest. they were en-
tfrely ignorant Of such violation.
The crime of conspiracy can only
30 proved II the parties arc shown 10
I have intended 10 violate the statute
We do not believe tina, this intention
can be shown in view of the fact tina,
IL never existed"
Albert and Harry Solomon declared
in a statement that they had learned
with great surprise OF the indictment
found by the grand jury. They said
they were informed that they had been
indicted for violating highly tech
meal" statute.
We feel ourselves entirely blame
less in the matter" the statement saws.
and are not conscious of having com
mitted any wrong whatever"
Macon Ia