Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-06
FRAUD ORDER ISSUED
AGAINST TWO COMPANIES
International Automobile League,
Inc, and International Automobile
League Tire Co. Under Ban.
a. G. ,BIDwELL HEAD OF BOTH
Solicitor-General Lamar Declares
This League Has Been Using the
Mails to Obtain Money by False
Means From Auto Owners"

WASHINGTON, D. c.. August 5-Tn
making effective yesterday a fraud or
der denying the use of the United
states mails to the international Auto
mobile League, Inc. and the Intcrna-
uonal Automobile League Tire Com
pany, of Buffalo, y. Y, and a. &. Bid
we'll. president Of both concerns. the
Post-oti!ce Department has sounded the
death knell OF enterprises which gov
eminent Investigations show have VIC
tiInized thousands of motor-car owners
IN all parts of the country.
For years this league has been using
the mails to obtain money by false
representations and pretcnses from
automobile owners, dealers and job
bers OF automobile supplies" said w.
IL Lamar. SolicitorGeneral of the
Post office Department, to-day. THE
order which took effect yesterday con-
c!udes one of the longest and most
Important hearings ever held by this
ONCE. The hearing occupied forty-sx
days and revealed remarkable COM
p!ex!ty and variety Of unlawful prac-
tees employed By the president Of the
league and his agents in exploiting
the public"
The inquiry by the Post-ofce De-
partment into the business practices Of
the international Automobile League
vas requested last March by the AS
World and the American Automobile
Association TO protect motor-car own
ers as a part Of the nation wide cam
naign Of the advertising clubs for truth
IN advertising and honesty in business.
Details of the Scheme.
The facts disclosed by the govern
ments Investigations. made public to-
day. revea! an elaborate scheme which
has enabled Bidwcn, as president of
NE international Automobile League
70 arnass a huge fortune. II is shown
mat he employed agents who solicited
members for the league. representing
mat the league had contracts with
manufacturers OF standard automobile
tires and accessories which enabled IL
70 sell members such articles at deal
ers and manufacturers prices Tho
manufacturers Of these products tcs-
tlhed that no such contract existed
through it's agents. the league also
represented that II could sell certain
cars to its members az liberal dis
counts The manufacturers OF these
cars told the government that the
league could no; obtain tho cars TO
cell AZ such discounts TO impress car
owners with the leagues buying power.
agents arc said 10 have greatly OK
aeEeFatco the number Of its members.
Substitution of Chcnp Stun
II Is revealed ~ the inquiry OF the
department. that alleged "ruanufac-
tuEers' prices" on standard automobile
tres and supplies were advertised
merely as bait to secure a $40 annual
fee from members 10 whom the league
might sell inferior tires and supplies
At suf profit League members tes-
lhed that when they cndeavored TO
realize the hiS savings promised by
ne prices listed on standard articles.
they We're Informed that the league
was Just out" but that AN excellent
article manufactured especially for Tho
league could be supplied IN place Of
the one ordered. When members COM
plained they We're referred to a clause
in the membership contract which
specified that goods listed would be
furnished when obtainahle CRYSTAL
OIL was lubricant listed in the
leagues catalogue as being Of 'excep-
tlonal quality" Government inves,,.
OF the same barrel from which orders
were filed for q cheaper grade
IN addition TO the action nca:us, '5u
taken BY the postal authorities l:iH-
wal! has been indicted bv the FEDERAL
grand jury. NJ Rochester. y y charged
with using the malls to further
scheme "a dcfraud. and by the Grand
jury Of Fayette County, Pa. with TWO
OF his agents on i charge Of con-
spiracy 10 detraud.
Vigilance Committee Conrratuntc<
Merle Sidener OF Indianapolis. chair
man Hi the Hatlona! Vigilance Com
mite. OF thu Associated Advertising
Clubs OF the World, which requested
the investigation, to-day sent the So
Encouragement the following telegram:
In the name Of the Associated Ad-
vertis!ng Clubs OF the World and hon
est business I want TO thank you and
your associates for the incalculab bio
service which the Post Office Depart
uleHt has rendered the public in clos
ing the mails 10 the International Au-
tonnohi!e League OF Buffalo. The ad-
vert!s!ng clubs look upon the POST