New-York tribune., 1918-03-11
Becker Gives Reason for
Holding Papers Of Former
French Soldier
Movies Aided Kaiser
Pictures Brought Here Were
German Propaganda, Says
Official

Additional light was thrown on the
amazing career of Frank j. Goldsoll,
private of France. who made millions
here in commissions from the sale of
motor trucks to his native country
when Deputy Attorney General Alfred
L. Becker yesterday made public his
affidavit in answer to the motion of
Goldsoll's attorneys that the temporary
injunction restraining him from fur
ther examination OF the papers seized
in Goldsolls New York office. should be
made permanent. The motion will be
argued in the Supreme Court at 10
O'Clock this morning.
One OF the principle contentious Of
Mr.. Becker as to why the injunction
should not be continued is that he is
anxious TO investigate thoroughly the
relations of Godsoll and his associates
with Germany botn before and during
the European War Regarding this
phase Of the case Mr.. Becker in his
affidavit says
"The German Official War Films
were moving pictures palpably de-
in this country. The exhibit the Ger
man Emperor in the most favorable
light, showing him in almost paternal
relations with the soldiers in the
trenches, and, in every way possible
they minimize the atrocities committed
by Germany in the war and seek to
picture Germany as engaged in a
benevolent process of assimilation for
the benefit of mankind.
Important to Public Welfare
81 deem it of the highest Importance
for the public welfare that | should
not be required to surrender any papers
relating to the Germanic Official War
Films, Inc, as it is of the highest pdb-
lie interest that the United States
should know whether any French citi-
zens now within the United States, such
as Frank j. Goldsoll. while masquerade
ing as sincere friends of the Allies,
Fave actually been engaged directly or
indirectly in German propaganda"
Mr.. Becker further stated that he
would consider it direct injustice to
the cause OF the Allies if lie were
forced to give IN the papers seized in
the raid on the offices of the Alliance
Motors Corporation, which had to do
with these pictures.
Mr.. Becker refers to Benjamin
Blumenthal, who received subpoena
on Saturday to appear at the Attorney
Generals office TO-DAY for examination.
tie said that Blumenthal has been for
some time an employe and associate of
Goldsoll's. and that soon after the out
break of the war Blumenthal went to
Berlin at the request of Goldsoll to as
certain the condition of certain the
atrical interests in that country owned
by Goldsoll. H further states that
Blumenthal was enabled to make this
trlp because he was an American
citizen.
Says French Code Was Violated
Mr. Becker charges Goldsor with vio-
lating the provisions of the French
code Of military justice by using his
position as ary-interpreter of the
French Purchasing Commission to OBJ
tain INCREASED commissions on auto
mobiles ordered by the French govern
ment in the United States. Mr. Becker
Says:
"1t is charged that Goldsoll defraud-
ed the French government out of large
sums of money, in that the cost to the
french government of automobile
trucks for military purposes was fraud
ulently and ycorruptly increased so as
to provide a fund from which ex-
orbitant commissions could be paid to
Boldsoll."
This is the charge that led the
French government to ask for the re-
turn OF Goldsoll to that country. Mr..
Eecker's contention is that the charge
is true and that these acts caused an
increase of millions of dollars to the
financial burden of France when
France is standing heroically in the
path Of the assailers of liberty and
democracy"
The only additional affidavit pre-
sented in answer to the complaint of
the Goldsoll attorneys is that of John
J. Noonan, detective from the New
York Police Department, who has been
assigned to the Attorney Generals Of
fee. He said that certain employees
Of the Alliance Motors Corporation did
not object to the removal Of the papers
and files of the concern after ne had