New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-20
Chief of Motor League Un-
der Investigation Replies
to Federal Charges
Early Trial Is Asked
Other Concerns, IL Is Alleged,
Were Used to Fleece the
Motoring Public
by Telegraph 70 Tie Tnsun,l

Buffalo, March l9.-Walter II. Edison,
Assistant United States Attorney. sp-
pesred before Judge Edwin $. Thomas
~ United States District Court this
morning and moved that q date be set
Tor the trial Of Alfred &. Bidwell. the
International Automobile League and
the International Automobile League
Tire Company on indictments charging
use Of the mails In scheme TO de-
fraud. Bidwell founded and is presi-
dent OF the two concerns.
Bidwell Was formally arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. His counsel en-
tered similar pleas for the two cor
porations. Mr.. Edison then moved for
d consolidation of the two indictments
having 70 DO with alleged exchanges Of
stock Of tho tire company for that OF
the Northland Rubber Company a.,
the request OF Bidwell's counsel ac-
ton on both notions was deferred 80
as 20 give the defendant opportunity
20 employ counsel for the trial. Mr.
Edison stated the trial will last at least
three weeks.
When fraud orders were obtained
last summer 10 include the lnterna-
tional Automobile League and other
concerns. which. is was alleged. were
utilized by Bidwell 20 fleece the public.
what was declared TO have been a most
profitable business was discovered.
Apparently the mere fact that a motor
Isl had obtained no reply 20 his APP
plication for membership in tho league
did not mean that he was forgotten
Might Receive q Letter
L. l.
he might receive a dunning letter call
inc FOR back dues. Il was tactfully
suggested to him. 1t was asserted. that
II he paid up now and started with .
clean slate his sins Of omission would
be forgiven and he would have the OPP
portunity 10 buy automobile supplies
from. and even stock IN. the lrterna-
tional Automobile Tire Company
Glowing descriptions were given. il
ia said. OF the future Of tho tire com
pany. Factories were 20 be built and
the business developed on vast scale.
IT, all this prosperity. 10 appeared.
the delinquent could share. II his
circum stances had changed for the
worse since he aspired 10 become
member Of the league. he Is said 10
have had. ostensibly. ~ least. the op-
ply business as iobber. Remittances
for stock. for memberships and for
jobbers' contract are said 10 have
poured into Buffalo wish every mai.
The \. {. Bidweil Tire Company &C.
cording TO inves .igators Of the post
Office authorities. announced itself As
the successor TO the International Auto
mobile League. That tire company, like
the other, like the league and like the
Empire State Collection Company. o.
Buffalo. is said 70 have sssayed prac.
tically pure Bidwcll.
Dues Demanded
Negotiations were opened, it is said.
through the collection company, which
sent to the delinquent would-bc mem
Der OF the league letter demanding
dues for forgotten years and holding
out the shining promise Of the A. {.
Bidwell Tire Company.
Letters from the collection agency
we're signed stephen {. Kelly Man
ager." Postoflice Investigators discov-
cred that Kelly was an employe Of Bid
well and asserted that the Empire
State Collection Company" and the
name of the faithful employe "haye
been adopted by Bidwell for the sole
purpose Of evading the effect Of the
aforementioned fraud orders and con-
tinuing his fraudulent business"
The impression "a gained from read
ing the reports OF the postoliice men
hat Bidwell sloughed of an old firm
name and found new one with such
facility that the utmost diligence OF
his trailers barely aysiled 70 keep them
and their fraud orders about half a
Ian in his rear.