New-York tribune., 1917-11-21
Grand Jury Begins
Investigation of
War Bazaar Fund
Bankers Name Used to At
tract Large Contribu-
tions, 1t Is Charged
By BRIGGS

The grand jury began an investiga-
ton yesterday into the collection OF
contributions TO the Army md Navy
Bazaar, which, it is charged, took n
S71,475 and turned over only 1854 for
the comfort of American soldiers and
sailors. District Attorney Swami con
tinued his examination of Waldcmar il.
F. y. de Billie. the managing director.
and George F. Sweeney, chief collector.
Edward S. Moore, assistant secretary
of the Guaranty Trust Company, who
was prevailed upon to act as treasurer,
spent several hours with Mr.. Swami.
Mr.. Moore made a formal REQUEST OF
Mr.. Sweeney to turn over all the money
which he collected which was not given
directly to pay for advertising space iI
the bazaar programme. The District
Attorney calculated that this would
amount to about $4,000.
Mr.. Swami asked the newspapers 20
publish his request that all persons
who contributed without expecting any
advertising returns give him their
names and the amounts they gave, 70
determine whether there has been di-
version of moneys.
Mr.. Swann's detectives found in
Sweeney's Office yesterday a list of iv1
thousand wealthy merchants and mill.
ionaires, headed b. Tiffany G. Co.
Sweeney Loses Job
Mrs. Coffin Van Rensselaer,. vicc-
chairman of the Children's Christmas
Carnival, notified Mr.. Swami yesterday
that she had cancelled a memorandum
with Sweeney TO act as solicitor fo-
contributions for the carnival
Mr.. Moore said one promoter of the
bazaar went to well known manufaet-
urer of tooth paste in Newbdrgn, who
has furnished big consignme TO the
Guaranty Trust Company, as agent for
the Allies, and represented that IN 20
turn for generous contribution Mr.
Moore would see that their contract for
paste would be handsomely oulareed
The firm gave $1,000.
After the bazaar closed" said NJ
Moore, Il was dumfounded TO receive
a VISIT IN New York from the head Of
the concern wanting to know why had
not given the order for more paste.
convinced him that he had been inn
posed upon, but his sense of hume,
was somewhat dampened By the fact
mat his company, in addition TO the
Sl,OOO contribution, had spent SSOO0
ior machinery and equipment with
which to meet the new business"
Mr.. Moore also told the District At
torney that friend of his. who has an
once at 81 East Forty-second Street.
informed him that a man, who had
rented the Office next to his. was over
heard calling up the Bethlehem Steel
Company for contribution to the
bazaar.
The man, it is believed by Mr.. Swami.
was working under Sweeney. This man.
according 10 Moore's informant. de-
liberately represented himself as Ed
ward 5. Moore. of the Guaranty Trust
Company. and indulged in some veiled
hints about keeping in right" with the
government at Washington. The Beth
lehem Steel Company had a large dis
play advertisement in the programme
De Billie Divided Fee, He Says
De Billie told the prosecutor that the
Grand Central Palace people always
referred their patrons to him as the
only man" who could properly handle
the soliciting side of bazaars. In re-
turn, he said, he always gave the Grand
Central Palace 10 per cent of his fee.
The prosecutor also learned from Mr..
Ritter, of the Palace Company. that n.
had rented the same floor space for
nine days last May to the Actors Fund
fair for $4,000. The rental paid for the
Army and Navy Bazaar for eight days
occupancy was SIS 900.
Plan to Control Bazaar
Frank L. Bowling, President of the
Board of Aldermen, introduced a reso-
luton az the meeting of the board yes
terday 10 control bazaars and enter.
tainments in the future, so as to pre-