The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-22
o. S. Officials Investigating
Charges Against One
Central Power.
SIX MEN INVOLVED
IN EAST SIDE REVOLT
Grcumstantial Report Says
They Induced Women to
Storm City Hall.
HOPED TO SEE ROWS
ALL OVER COUNTRY
Mayor Promises 300 House.
wives to Probe Starva-
tion Conditions.


cited women on pushcart pedlers in
this city and Brooklyn and the big
demonstration OF 800 housewives at the
City Hall on Tuesday when they de-
manded that the municipal authorities
4 something to bring about a reduc-
ton In the prices Of foodstuffs. were
planned by representatives Of one of
the Central Powers and put into exc
eutlon by means Of money disbursed
through New York bank. according
y circumstantial report which
reached Federal officials last night.
The motive Of those who concocted
the scheme Of hiring men and women
70 excite the women of the tenements
and help them to organize food riots is
said TO have been to impress upon the
minds Of the law makers of the coun.
Try the necessity Of placing an embargo
upon the foodstuffs Of the country In
order tnat food exports to the Allies
wvulG cease.
II was argued that II the poor in the
hs cities. particularly New York,
where the foreign population is easily
excited, would seemingly arise in mass
and cry out for relief from the present
conditions caused by high food prices.
It would probably impress Washington
with the need Of an embargo to prevent
the poorest Of the American poor from
actual starvation and to quiet the cry
Of an aroused people.
PlOtters Paid Oat 100000.
According to THE SUN's informant
0e sum Of $4,000 was paid out through
bank In this city to an East Side dem
Gst and five others, who in turn DIS
eursed a part OF the money at least TO
two women who had influence with
women of the tenements to start food
riots protest parades and other demon.
strations.
One woman who was more or less
conspicuous in the crowd that stormed
me City Hall and demanded to zee
Mayor Mitchell got $4,000. II Ia said. for
h.r work in arranging that unusual
event. Her part in the scheme Of things
was TO !nstigate a formal physical pro-
test that would stir the officials of the
city. and she succeeded SO admirably
cash to her without hesitation.
Another woman. 1t is alleged. was in
s'ructed to start controversy with a
pnshcart man in n crowded East Side
district and upset his cart at the psy-
geological moment. She carried out her
orders and her work had the result OF
making the heckling and punishment Of
pushcart pedlers quite popular.
For setting the style in the proper
Methods OF getting square on street
pedlers because they wouldn't and
couldn't reduce their retail price OF
onions and potatoes she too was paid
certain amount. according to tho
story.
Cash Instead Of Checks Used.
There were no checks in any OF the
Transactions and the faithful dentist
distributed the bulk OF the money as 1t
was needed to reward those who had
taken an official part in the execution Of
he rioting plans. intended to make
an impression upon the country at large
mat the poor were actually starving
Because foodstuffs weren't being kept
In America
The names Of the bank through which
The money was disbursed the Power re-
ponsible through It's representatives for
me banking Of the money. the dentist
who acted as the go-between In the
payment for services performed and two
women 10 whom money Is said to have
oeen actually paid were furnished by
The SUNS informant.
The dentist, whose name was men,
Toned as the man to whom 100000 was
paid. denied with much emphasis last
night that he knew anything about the
Transaction. Other denials were also
entered
Federal Inquiry started.
However. It is expected that the Fed
sral authorities will have advanced a
iong way before nightfall In getting at
he bottom of the alleged plot to stir up
poor women. already frantic over tho
hlgh cost Of living. to deeds Of violence.
through the agency Of people who pre-
tended 20 he leaders and friends OF
suffering humanity.
Those responsible for the scheme 10
tcY the help Of women and others To
s'art tho ball of unrest and Indignation
im.'ing were inspired. it was said. by the
'holght that the rioting would become
contagious and spread throughout the
country and would be an object lesson
70 President Wilson and Congress.
tn" great objective. II Is understood.
was I" create public sentiment In IA"
IpT OF keeping foodstuffs in America hnd
prevent them from going abroad to help
reed the enemies of the Central Powers.
!, was designed as a sort OF an aid Ia
,h" new subrarine warfare TO keep
totd>'uffs from the Allies.
foilowing meetings yesterday with
committees of Fast Side women headed
py Mrs. Ida Harris and Sweet Marie
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