New-York tribune., 1918-11-19
Editor Denied He Had
Heard From Konta in
Eight Years
IN 1912 He Dealt
With Mrs. Konta
Konta's Wife and Son Were
Interested in actory on
Brisbane's Land
lSnecinl TO The Tribune

(Special to The Tribune
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-Evidence
II a closer connection between Arthur
Ry;sbane and Alexander Konta than the
usarst editor has hitherto admitted IS
row in the hands of a member of the
Senate committee Investigating Bris-
Sanes purchase of "The Washington
Times" with money supplied by pool
of German American brewers.
Besides the known intimacy between
Brisbane and Konta's son, Godfrey,
who has served as the formers person
al attorney, this evidence includes the
record of real estate deals with Konta' s
wife (nee Lemp, daughter of the
81. Louis brewer, and of business en-
terprises conducted by Mr.. and Mrs.
Konta at various times on and near
Brisbane's properties in Monmouth
County, N. j.
The Importance of this evidence rests
IN its contradiction of a statement made
bv Brisbane when A. Mitchell Palmer,
Alien Property Custodian, in disclos-
ing the relation of Brisbane with the
brewers, gave out letter from Alex
snder Konta to DR.. Dernburg in which
Konta discussed the possibility of en-
listing the aid of German-American
brewers in the purchase Of one or more
daily newspapers by the German gov
srnment At that time Brisbane said
over his signature in "The Washington
Times" that Konta was fa man whom
| have not seen and from whom I have
not heard in eight years.
Two Years Later
may be presumed, according to in
formation in the hands of a member
Of the Senate committee, that by this
statement Brisbane expected to cover
the sale to Mrs. Konta in December,
1910, of the house at 40 West Forty
seventh Street, New York, which is CIV
en- in the New York City Directory for
1918 as the residential address of both
Alexander Konta and his son Godfrey.
Two years later, however, in Novem-
ber, 1912, the real estate records of
New York City show, an indenture was
recorded between Brisbane and Mrs.
Konta voiding a previous agreement
made at the time of sale of the Forty
seventh Street house, by which Brisbane
retained certain financial rights in re-
gard to resale.
Shortly after this the real estate
deals of Brisbane and the Konta family
we're expanded to include the sale to
Mrs. Konta of thirteen acres of prop
srty on Brisbanes Hampstead, L. l.,
estate. This was on May 16, 1912, six
snd half years ago.
In 1915 further evidence of the Bris-
bane-Konta connection centres around
Brisbane's other large holding of coun-
try property, the "deserted village" of
Allaire, N. J. The state records at
trenton, n. j., show the incorporation,
On June 21, 1915, of the Allaire Wood
workers, with Mrs. Konta holding seven
shares, Godfrey Konta, then living at
hampstead, L. l., holding two shares
snc Godfrey Konta's law partner, Karl
". Kirchwey, holding one share.
The Allaire Woodworkers, Inc, was
company formed to make toys. II
ssupied one of the old buildings in the
Nserted village" which had been part
the fourishing iron foundry 70,
shleh the place was famous many years
sso
German Toy Makers There
Its principal stock in trade seems te
lave been the services of a number
9erman toy makers, who were sub
'sc's Of the Kaiser, stranded in Ameri
ca by the war.
ourlng the latter part of the Allaire
Hoodworkers' stay on the Brisbane
property Alexander Konta, according
one Of these German employees
VISITED the factory every Friday, bring
ing the payroll.
according to other information, Bris
nahe spent much time on his Allair'
rs'perty resting and writing. Hs
'"ea IN house close to the factory
Inc toy factory proved Improbable
3eFe were many changes of manage
4aent, and the company finally movet
w. ef the antiquated old building il
"''alre and settled on property in tn
s@s town, Farmingdale. The Board o
Nfaae Of Farmingdale gave the LAM
s'a erected modern building on
ssnoing-and-loan plan. The entry o
america into the war made it NOR
ga more difficult to get lumber an
%'ore shipments. Under the resulting
NSneias stress, Alexander Konta too
f the active management Of tn
a'ure. The Germans are now practi
ny =. 'ne only employees.
,ae konta name has been connecte
s"n another curious feature Of Bris
ss deserted yillage"--the Affair
Ma' typical roadhouse.
And the Allaire Inn
"n September Is, 1915, the Affair
'a' me, vas recorded in Trenton, wit
capital stock divided among Viii
~ fosdick. a satellite Of Brisbane; 4
,sh' nov dead, and Emma Meier. Tn
.ss' named IL described locally as
assxeeper for Mrs. Konta," and sh
:. ,s'actfd the inn for a period unde