Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-02
ALLEGED RED CROSS
WORKER ARRESTED
Women's Auxiliary of West Phil
adelphia Church Indignant
Over Disclosures
PREFER MANY CHARGES
Held for Hearing on Varied Allega-
tions, Including Illegal Use of
Narcotic Drugs

Shortly after 3 o'clock Smith was
arraigned before United States Com
missioner Long at the Federal Building
and held in $4,000 bail for a further
hearing next Friday. Two charges are
lodged against Smith by the Federal
authorities. The first accused him of
imperscnating a United States Govern
went cficiel and the second charges
that he is violator of the Harrison
drug act.
Indignation prevails among members Of
the women's auxiliary Of the Calvary Lu-
theran Church. Eorty-frst street and Man
tua avenue, today, as result OF the dis
closures in connection with the arrest OF
"Dr." Edgar Franklin Smith, thirty-hve
years old. 2127 North Eighth street who
is described by the police as a pseudo
Red Cross worker"
Smith was held under $500 bail for court
by Magistrate watson at Central Station
today
The arrest Of Smith, who. according to
the police. was arrested in this city two
years ago for pract cling pharmacy without
a license. came about while he was trying.
1t is alleged, to form Il company of 500
Many of the women who had hoped to join
Smiths company are members OF the CAL
vary Lutheran Church. according to the
Rev. James NJ. Tweedae. pastor of the
church. In making his selections. Doctor"
Smith said that he only wanted women for
nursing who were between the ages Of six
teen and thirty-fve. Mr. Tweedale asserted
Mrs. Buckson. mother of Miss Buckson,
who is seventeen years old, today said that
her daughter became acquainted with Smith
through a girl friend Miss Buckson, who
at one time took up nursing at the Poly
clinic Hospital, was not at home, Her
mother said that the family had no fault
to find with Smith.
MY daughter met Mr. Smith through
a girl friend" said Mrs Buckson. Later
Mr.. Smith held a meeting at our home
which was attended by nine young women
who are members of the church. Mr..
Smith charged my daughter fifty cents for
initiation and eighty cents for books. He
told US that If we didn't pay the S130 now
the price would be boosted to IS. Mr..
Smith never gave any treatment to my
daughter"
Detectives working on the Smith case say
that one OF the young women who had
agreed to go along with the expedition was
Miss Hilton. According to the police Doctor
Smith had proposed marriage to Miss Hill
ton, telling her that the best place to spend
honeymoon was on the battlefields where
American soldiers might be wounded.
SUSPECTED POWDERS
When arrested Smith had in his possession
several bottles of powder which police say
was drug of the narcotic grade. and also
a satchel containing hypodermic needles.
The police allege that whenever Smith
selected a candidate he would inject mar
cotics into the candidates arms, telling her
that he was adopting that treatment to
drive away any chances Of the future nurse
Of becoming afflicted with typhus.
Attired in good clothes Smith made his
appearance at the Hilton home several days
ago, IT is asserted. According to detectives
he represented himself as being connected
with the Southeastern Chapter of the
American National Red Cross. He is said
also to have produced a card Of that or
ganization. signed by Robert U. Patterson,
a Major of the Medical Corps of the United
States Army. Police believe that Smith
stole the card and filled in his name. He
also had card stating that he was a MEM
ber Of the Philadelphia Home Defense Re-
serve and that his headquarters were at the
Twelfth Police District, police say. II is
charged that this card also was obtained by
Smith through Misrepresentation.
WANTED 600 RED CROSS NURSES
II have been delegated to organize a
company OF 500 women into Red Cross
nurses" Smith is quoted as saying.
After examining Miss Hilton. the police
say that he stated she would have to
undergo certain treatment. For this
treatment the police say. Smith charged
$1.30. He also promised Miss Hilton the
police say, a salary of $50 to $50 a month.
When Miss Hilton agreed to go to
France, Smith began to call on Miss Hilton
every afternoon, police say. Miss Hilton
claims that Smith would prescribe treat
ment to her and give her medicine Re-
Gently she became suspicious.
Wbap ctoith xuas arraetad and ouaetiopad
by Detectives Beckman and Freund. he is
said to have admitted that he had been
canvassing young women to join his Red
Cross expedition He refused to say where
he had obtained his card from the Red
Cross, Then, smilingly, he admitted that
he had also tried to interest several women
members Of the Calvary Lutheran Church,
according to detectives.
The Rev. Mr. Tweedale, at his home 1880
Marlton street, said today that Smith had
been introduced to many of the women at ,
that church recently by Miss May Buckson,
Of 4317 Otter street
REPUDIATED BY MINISTER
II had no part m organizing women
members of our church into a Red Cross
brigade" asid the Rev. Mr. Tweedale.
Miss Buckson was one of the young women
who expressed desire TO Join the company
OF nurses.
The last time saw this fellow Smith
was last wednesday evening, after the
proyer. services. He was discussing his
proposition with several of the women and
had told them 1t would be necessary for
each lady to give him s1.3o.
Just what the sl.3o was Tor I don't
know. Many OF the women In our church
were very enthusiastic about becoming Red
Gross nurses But there was one peculiar
feature about the entire proposition that
did not appeal to me--and that was that
Smith insisted that only ladies between the
ages OF sixteen and thirty-five could qualify.
II this man Is an impostor II Is a good
thing that publicity has been given TO the
matter. and feel sure that when the arrest
OF Smith becomes senerally known women
will be careful"
Mr.. Tweedaie also said that Smith had
asked that he be given a room at the church