The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-07
Raid In New York
Made At Request
of French Envoy
Books and Papers of Godson,
Arrested In Washington,
Seized-Arms and Hun Cap
tured In Haverstraw, N. Y.

New York. Ma rch 6.--A raid was
made late this afternoon on the Of
fees Of the Alliance Motor corpora
ton in West F'ortfeth street, of
which Frank J. Godsoli, who was ar
rested today in Washington for al
legged larceny from the French gov
eminent. is the principal ownr.
All tn books and pa pers of the cor
poration were seized. The raid was
made under the direction of Deputy
Attorny-General A, H Becker He
stated that the raid was the result
OF months investigation, requested
by French Ambassador Jusssrand
Becker further stated that Godsoli
had purchased 100000 worth Of
United States liberty bonds and had
sold $4,000. 900 worth Of them in
three weeks in lots of 400, 900 each.
The result was severe depression in
the price OF the bonds
The books and papers seized In the
raid formed such a bulk that they
filed "a large van and taxi. The docu-
ments will be subjected to s. search
Ing examination, and whatever of in
terest To the French government may
be found in them will be turned over
to French officials-
Mr., Becker made II clear that he
is not contemplating any prosecution
of Godse1L but is conducting the In
vesttgation at Ambassador Jusse-
ra-nds request. Already much that
had been DISCOVERED is In the hands
of French officials
GodsoIl. II was declared waa born
IN Cleveland of Russian parent. He
secured court order changing his
surname from Goidsoli. but IT is still
knokn as the cAlldsou In France,
r. l. a..
formation that IL GodsoH returns to
Fra nee he will probably face charge
OF receiving commissions while work
ing In an official capacity for the
French government, Godsoli's COM
missions were declared to have va
rfed from I to so per cnt for the
sale OF motor trucks to France for
army use.
An additional charge VIII probably
he made in France, Mr., Becker
stated, that Godseli. working in oom-
pltotty with certain Paris associates
and army officials, had been able to
secure the sale OF all motors which
he recommended.
Godsolrs connection with the Al
lance Motors corporation was de-
scribed az that of chief owner. al
though he holds no office. so far az
could be asosrtained. The officers OF
the com pany as last stated, were
A or nj h a m Goldberg, presidentA
Charles Ettinrer, vice president. and
Louie J. Ro@ett, secretary
Federal. state and other officials
and financial men who had Americas
interest at heart were unable to un-
derstand the cause OF the depression
OF liberty bond quotations until Mr..
Beckers Investigations disclosed the
fact that Godselfs alleged enormous
commission profits had been first in
vested In the bonds, to be followed
shortly by the eale of 100000 OF
the securities In large lots daily. No
reason has been sscribed for the sale
OF the bonds
Mr.. Becker inttna ted that Arbas-
sahor Tussersnd had been kept in
close touch with the departments Of
thu quiet investigation into Godsoll's
affairs conducted under his direction.
Arrested I'm Washington
Washington. March s.---Lawyers for
Frank J. Godsolt. New York auto
mobile agent, who Is supposed to have
collected s6,e0o,o00 in commissions on
a