New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-31
SWINDLER PREYS
ON JOB SEEKERS
Ex-Convict, Posing as Sub
way Official, Collects SIS
from Victims.
TRAPPED, HE ADMITS
CHARGE, POLICE SAY
Took Up "Bunco" Game Because
He Was "Flim.F PLANNED"
Once Himself.

An ex-Elmira convict, facing about
forty men he had "fim-fammed,' con-
fessod last night how he has been max
ing big income for months by posing
as an marlborough Rapid Transit Off
cial and cheating applicants for jobs in
the new subway construction work.
His name is entered on the police
books as Robert Friedman, twenty-four,
a piano polisher, of 9ll Southern
Boulevard. He has gone under many
names. his victims knowing him best
as schneider"
On August 81 Roland Schwartz, OF
1T West l17th Street, advertised IN a
New York newspaper Tor the JoD Oh
electrician. Schwartz was out of work.
He was not out of bed on the morning
that the advertisement appeared when
the bell rang and man, evidently not
more than twenty-five, entered the
house. The visitor was Friedman.
Friedman explained his mission. lie
was an official of the lnterborough
Rapid Transit Company. He was an eX-
pert, acting in the role of employment
manager Tor a time. Inc company
needed such men as Schwartz, SAID
Friedman, and added that 1t might be
advantageous to the former 70 meet
him at the Mott Avenue subway station
at . o'clock that same afternoon. ..
When Schwartz arrived Schneider
was minus hat and coat, but plus pen
ell behind his ear. He moved about the
station as though he was not only an
official. but stakeholder Schwartz
was thoroughly impressed and turned
careful ear 10 "Schneider's' mandates.
You see" said Mr.. Schneider" MI
Merritt, the superintendent of the SUB
wav construction work, is busy. Other-
wise I'd take you up to him. I'm aeung
as his clerk at present, and III give
YOU all the instructions necessary. ny
the way. you'll need uniform. mat u
cost YOU So. If you desire. III give 1t
to the cashier and have him sign re-
ceipt for it, c
The IS quickly passed. Mr.. Schnei-
der left Schwartz for little while.
Schwartz waited. Then he grew tired
of waiting and sought Mr.. Merritts Of
Gce. He explained to the Official what
had happened 20 himself and his So
bill, and Mr. Merritt told him that he
had been fooled.
Mr. Merritt had received many such
callers. who explained that they had
paid their money and wished jobs i'm
mediately. But he had not succeeded
IN getting any clew to the man before
Louis Lasky appeared.
Louis Lasky was also out Of work.
lie lives at $50 West 18th Street, and
when SCHNEIDER" went to him and told
him of the glowing prospects that were
N store Lasky became much interested.
Then SCHNEIDER" asked for So TO pay
for the tools, without which Lasky
could not get along. Lasky told him
he would have to raise the money and
asked Schneider" to come again at
o'clock in the afternoon that is, yes
terday.
Lasky sought Mr.. Merritt. you're
the man | want" shouted the latter.
Mr.. Merritt telephoned to the Fourth
Branch Detective Bureau and, with
Detectives Scott and O'Connor, went to
Lasky's home The detectives hid in
closet.
At . O'Clock Schneider" appeared.
The detectives arrested him. When he
was taken to the Fourth Branch De
tective Bureau he faced number of
the persons on whom he had played his
willy tricks.