Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-23
FORMER PITTSTON MEN
PLACED UNDER E
Alleged False QUESTIONABLE Statement
Ground for Issuance Of Warrant at
Rochester, NJ. Y.


The following item from the Rochester
(N. " Herald 81 Sunday. Feb, II. will be
read with interest, for the man concerned
is we'll known in this city. He formerly
resided in Pittston near the store of Alb
bolt Lord. Mrs. Beckwith is still living
in Gardiner on Harden street is en-
ployed in the L. y. Hazard shoe factory.
Her three children are at the Temporary
Home for Children on Highland avenue:
FIRST prosecution for alleged perjury
on a draft QUESTIONABLE under the rules
and regulations of the selective service
act was effected yesterday with the ar
rest OF John Snider Beckwith, 50 years
old, Of III Gregory street. Beckwith is
charged with violation OF Section 15 o.
the criminal code i'll that he swore 10
false statements regarding the dependent
cy o. a wife and three children. He il
held in $500 bail pending 4 hearing set
for Tuesday before United States Com
missioner Edwin c. Smith.
Beckwlth was arrested yesterday morn
ing by Deputy United States Marshal
Thomas L. Moran at the Craig Colony for
EpIleptics at Sonyea, after a warrant had
been sworn out Tor his arrest bv Chair
man Willis A. Matson OF Civ Division
Draft Board /. He was working at the
colony.
Beckwith stated in his draft question:
naire that he was 4 married man with i
wife and three children. 4 daughter II
years old. another daughter : wears III,
and a son 6 Years ia, living III Gardiner.
Me- VINO were dependent upon him for
support. lie swore that lie had spent
so per month, or $40 per hear. for their
support. His QUESTIONABLE showed that
ne was married ~ March J. 1906.
~beckwIth, after filling our his oues-
tlohnaire and swearing to the statements
made therein before George +. Wynkoou.
an associate member Of the Legal Advis-
"FN board, had it sent TO his wife In
Gardiner 10 fill out in support OF his afti-
daVltS. The latter turned B~eckwith's
iuestionnaire over to Attorney q e GA
son OF Gardiner, who in turn wrote the
draft board here.
Mrs. Beckwith said that her husband
left her more than 4 wear ago. The
letter was written under date Of Ian
ua1N II. Al about the same time of he
leaving, she further stated. another wo-
man left Gardiner. She heard nothing
from her husband until he sent on his
QUESTIONABLE for her to sign, In fine
meantime the wife supported the three
children. placing them in the Children's
Home at Gardiner and paving 81 per
week for their support. She went to
work in Il shoe factory.
Chairman Matson, after reading tho
letter OF the wife and glancing over
tho QUESTIONABLE which was returned
~ the Gardiner attorney, started ac-
ton on the ground of perjury. The
attorney was communicated with and
TOOK the affidavit Of The wife. Through
another source Of information. princi-
palIy the superintendent of the Chill
drcn's Home at Gardiner. the wife's
%aiiidaFit wa s~ubstaatiIted.
The swearing out Of tho warrant FOL-
lowed. Bcckwith LEFT Rochester about
q month ago 70 work at the colony at
Sonyca. He is charged also with fail
ing TO notify his draft board of his
changed address.
Deputy Marshal Moran took Beck
with before Commissioner Smith i'm
fnediatcly upon his return to Rochester
Yesterday afternoon. \ preliminary
hearing took place at which time bail
was fixed at $500. in default Of which
the defendant was lodged in the Mon
roe county Jail. Ills case will come up
tor further consideration al 80 o'clock
on Tuesday afternoon.
The penalty under Section rs Of the
Criminal Code provides for a fine of not
more than $1,000 and the Imprisonment
Of not more thar five years.