The Washington herald., 1918-03-07
FRENCH GRAFT
CASE CAUSES
RAID In n. Y.
Soldier Accused by Ambas-
sador Says Political Mo-
tive Caused Arrest.

New York. March s-A raid was
made late this afternoon on the Of
fices Of the Alliance Motors Corpor-
alton in West Fortieth street, Of which
Frank ]. GoldsoI, who was arrested
today in Washington for alleged lar
ceny from the French government, is
the principal owner.
All the books and papers OF the cor
poration were seized. The raid was
made under the direction of Deputy
Attorney General A II. Becker.
He stated that the raid was the re-
suit of a months investigation re-
quested by French Ambassador Jusse-
rand.
Becker further stated that Goldsol
had purchased 100000 worth of
United States liberty bonds and had
sold 100000 worth of them in three
weeks in lots OF 10000 each The re-
suit was a severe depression in the
price Of the bonds.
Lawyers for Frank ]. GoldsoI. the
New York automobile agent, who Is
supposed to have collected s6,Oo0.OoO in
commissions on war supplies for
France. and who was arrested here
yesterday at the request of the French
Ambassador, for alleged larceny in
France. issued statement tonight de-
ciaring that Goldsol was victim of
politiesl perzecutiou.
say1sHotIve Political
John b. Stanchfield, OF New York,
and Milton ]. Lambert, of Washing
ton, appeared at the hearing of Gold
I sol before United States Commission
! er Hit. The case was continued for
two weeks to await the arrival of the
papers from France. They issued a
statement defending Goldsol, saying:
! Mr.. Goldsol. who was arrested at
/ the request of the French Ambassa-
dor on the charge that he Illegally
| profited by contracts made with the
| French government, is a loyal French
citizen, having been naturalized in
Paris in 1911
We purpose showing that the con-
! trolling factor in causing the prosecu-
! tion of Mr.. Goldsol 10 political and
! that a drive is beir~ 'uude at Mr.. AL
bert Thomas. ~ Minister OF
Munitions, through Mr. Goldsol.
/ Thomas is mentioned as being among
| the posi- 'bilities for the premiership.
Furnished France Motors.
'Mr. Goldsol does not deny he was
! interested in certain contracts be-
tween automobile concerns and the
+ French government to supply it with
trucks. He undertook the work at
the beginning of the war, when the
| French army was helpless, without
transport facilities. Through his in
! genuity he succeeded in furnishing
great quantities of trucks to the
war ministry and was thanked by
that department for his efficient
work. He made profit on deliv-
cries, and at is against that profit
that the present charge is being
made. We contend that he had the
| full right to conduct business with
France. even though he was a SOL
dier in her army. He served for
more than a year as a private. being
honorably discharged for physical
disability"
| French officials declare that Gold
soils contention that he is a political
! victim is groundless. NJ. Thomas in
the French Chamber of Deputies sew
eral days ago declared that Goldsol
! had been recommended to him by his
subordinates. The fact that the one
time minister of munitions admits
that Goldsol was serving as the Of
| fetal representative of his govern
ment here is pointed to by French
officials as justifying the charges
! made against him,