New Britain herald., 1918-01-09
Edward Setback Claimed He Was
Enemy Alien, Is Charge
He HAS FIRST PAPERS
Washington Street Man Should Have
Gone With First Draft But Is Said
to Have Lied TO Exemption Board
Bonds Fixed at $4,000.

Edward Setback, 27 years old, OF
Washington street, is being held by
the local authorities in bonds of $4,000
Tor hearing Monday on charges Of
perjury against the federal govern
ment. Setback was arrested yesterday
afternoon at the headquarters of the
first exemption board after fragrant
discrepancies between his question:
naire, his June 5th registration and
his claims during the army examina-
tions last August had been rigidly in
vestigated by Chairman Albert f.
Corbin, Judge J. T. Cooper and Pros
ecuting Attorney George W. Klett
From statements made to Judge
James T. Mesllill in police court this
morning by Prosecutor klett it ap-
pears that Setback registered on June
3, national registration day, as a Rus
sian by birth but admitted that he
had taken out his first citizenship pa
pers. Setback was called in the first
draft quota of the first exemption
board and was passed by the doctors
as physically fit for military duty.
Rather than go to camp with the
other selectives, however, it is claimed
by the prosecutor that he told the ex-
emption board officials a long tale
jstering on June 5. At this time he
explained that he was a subject of
Germany, was therefore an enemy
alien and as such was exempt from
military duty. On these grounds the
man was give an exemption and when
the first draft marched away in Sep
tember Setback did not go.
Noting a variance between his reg
istration certificate and his question:
naire, Chairman Corbin of the first ex-
emption board and Judge J. Z. Coop
er, the government legal advisor to the
board, questioned him closely. Then
it was that they learned that although
he had previously admitted having
taken out first papers, he nevertheless
denied it in his questionnaire. Prose
cutor Klett put the man through a
rigid cross examination before order
ing his arrest and states that the ac-
cused finally admitted that he was a
native of Russia and had taken out his
first papers, despite his previous de-
malls. He was charged with Wilful
perjury. Prosecutor Klett has further
cumulative evidence against Setback to
the effect that he has already ap-
peared before Personal Tax Collector
Charles J. Elliott and claimed ex-
emption from his personal tax on the
ground that he has previously served
in the Connecticut National Guard.
The man has never served in this mill
itary organization, the prosecutor de-
clares Before Prosecutor Klett fin
ished questioning him Setback finally
admitted that he had lied and said
he had already taken out his first
naturalization papers in Hartford and
gave the date on which they were is
sued.
Further investigation today indi-
Gates that Setback is a German Pole.
He is said to be member of St
Johns German Lutheran church and
Is single man without dependents.
Prosecutor Klett asked that the
bond be fixed at $2.5O0 as he did not
know whether the state or the federal
authorities will handle the case. Law
yer M. D. SAKE, representing the ac-
cused asked for a lower bond and it
was finally fixed at $4,000. Setback is
a property owner in this city and with
another man owns an equity Of 81, 900
in a piece. of real estate, it is said.