New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-24
Charles D. Fox Had Been
Arraigned on 2 Indict-
ments Charging Forgery
Lays Blame to de Billie
Prisoner Says Greenwich,
Conn, Mans Contract Called
for Half of Proceeds

I Charles David Fox, otherwise known
as c. Donald Fox, reputed promoter OF
the Army and Navy Bazaar, which Dis
trict Attorney Swami is investigating,
spent last night in the Tombs in de-
fault Of $4,000 bail fixed by Judge Mott,
of General Sessions, before whom he
was arraigned yesterday afternoon on
two indictments charging forgery in
the third degree. The forgery, it is al
legged, was accomplished by altering the
name or checks intended for the ba-
zaar.
On his way to prison Fox said that
Waldemar de Billie, and not he, was
the real promoter Of the bazaar. He
said a man by the name Of Rogers. who
said he was general manager of the
Grand Central Palace, came TO see him
several weeks before the bazaar opened
and asked him TO get up such an af-
fair. Fox said he told Rogers he didn't
have any money, whereat Rogers, he
said, assured him that he did not need
any. re said Rogers told him he had
a man by the name Of De Bile who
could put the thing over" get in aheai
of the Hero Land Bazaar and "clean up
a nice sum of money"
Told of Strong Backing
"When Mr.. De Bile says met Z. P.
Y. Ritter, head of the Grand Central
Palace" said Fox, "he is wrong. Mr..
Rogers got me 10 telephone to De Billie
at his home in Greenwich, Conn, and
De Bile came to see me. He assured
ne that by his standing for the ex-
penses the bazaar could be run so the
army and navy field comfort kit COM
mittee would get half of the proceeds;
He said that if the receipts were $780,
600. he de Billie would get about
$4,000 and the committee would get
$4,000. The way he outlined the plan
caused me TO see $4,000 lying right
there on the desk in front Of me.
Before taking the matter up with
the committee" Fox continued, 81 asked
Rogers what backing De Billie had. He
told me 70 ask Dan Frohman and some
Wall Street bankers. ! did so and re-
ceived a reply from Frohman which
convinced me that De Billie was every
thing that Rogers said he was. ] then
and De Billie signed the contract where
by he was to get 80 cents on every
dollar. If the bazaar receipts were
over $4,000. as has been stated. the
committee should have received one
half if the contract was lived up to.
II De Billie paid the expenses, as he
said he would, possibly ne might have
lost money"
Got S525 and Expenses
Fox said he resigned his position
with the committee on September. II,
and all he received for seven weeks
work was $40 a week and expenses. He
said he worked gratis for six weeks and
collected $54 for expenses. The com
mittee. he said, consisted of Victor L.
Zorn. chairman; W. ". Jehrles. T. >;
Moore, treasurer; J. Edgar Cook and
Henry G. Vol!mer.
De Billie, at the request of Assistant
District Attorney Kilroe, signed a
waiver Of immunity yesterday. and he
will probably be a witness before the
/ grand jury on Monday. He made a
Statement yesterday, in which he said
! he had not received a penny from the
bazaar He shifted the blame for the
"iasco" on the committee and referred
to the affair as nasty mess"
George F. Sweeney, who received the
advertisement contract on a 80 per
cent basis, notified the District Attor-
ney yesterday through his lawyers that
he would not give up any money which
came to him through that contract.
The prosecutor said last night that
Sweeney's case would be placed before
the grand jury on Monday.
Hears of Organized Graft
at is more and more apparent, as
/ this investigation proceeds" said Mr.
/ Swami. that clever nondescripts who
make their living in devious ways have
F been getting on these patriot bazaar
band wagon and have shared enor-
mously in graft.
~ have been reliably informed to-
day that several solicitors for such
bazaars have committed forgery by the
wholesale and have appropriated entire
/ checks, and through an intermediary
/ have had them cashed by we'll known
| bookmaker who makes mis- headquar-
/ ters in a restaurant in Sixth Avenue,
/ near Forty-second Street. These fell
/ lows were the 100 per centers. They
were, however, obliged TO give up 10
/ per cent to get the checks cashed."