New-York tribune., 1918-03-05
Wireless Plant
Found on Roof
Of Skyscraper
Discovery of Two Other
Installations Made by
State Police


sealed, as required by United States
war regulations, and all capable OF
sending spy messages long distances
have been discovered in and near New
York City, it was learned yesterday.
One was found in the tower on the
roof of the Trinity Building, III
Broadway, where Richard Pfund, q
naturalized citizen, has maintained an
experimental laboratory since 1918
The discovery was made by army Of
States Marshal Mccarthy and six
deputies, who were barred from the
tower by the radio expert for an hour
The two other plants were uncovered
by Lieutenant John Walton and squad
of state constabulary, who previously
had confscated a contraband wireless
outfit in Orange County. They were
said to have been found near the city
but the exact locations were kept
secret.
Pfund formerly was manager here
for the German Telefunken, the wire
less concern which before the war
operated the great radio stations at
Sayville, L. l., and Tuckerton, n. J.
The outfit found in his tower quarters
was partly dsmantled, but it was de-
clared to be in such condition that it
could be restored to working order
again in thirty minutes.
Had Worked for Navy
For some time, according to Federal
agents, Pfund has been engaged on
work for the United States Navy, and
when Captain A. F. Houghton, with an
other officer from Fort Totten and
Marshal Mccarthy and the latter's de-
puties, finally were permitted to enter
the laboratory he is reported to have
shown them new signalling device de-
signed for the American field forces.
The discovery on the Trinity Building
roof was said yesterday to have been
the outcome Of tip given by man
reputed to have close connections with
the British Secret Service
roof of the Hotel Majestic picked up
parts of messages in secret cipher,
which army experts have so far been
unable to decode. 1t was impossible,
secret plant
When admittance was demanded the
wireless expert is said to have refused.
although told that the visitors were
II am also government employe, and
/ refuse to let you in" he is said to
have replied, and he declined to open
the door until he telephoned to the
navy yard in Brooklyn.
There were no aerials to be found,
but on the tower roof there were sew
eral metal stanchions. about six feet
in height. These, according to Carl
Leasenfeld, superintendent of the
building had been used, and could be
used again, for such purpose.
Leasenfeld said that orders had
been issued some time ago for the re-
moval Of these stanchions, which were
part Of the decorative grill on the
tower roof. but. owing to the weather
and other drawbacks, the orders had
not been carried out
Hated the Germans
LeascnfeId, speaking yesterday after
noon in the presence Of IL. O.
Winsor, vice president Of the United
States Realty Company, which owns
the Trinity Building, declared that
Pfund had no wireless machinery in
his tower laboratory.
And" ne added, "hc always told me
that he hated the Germans"
The Tclefunken formerly occupied
Offices in the Trinity Building. When
the concern failed 10 renew its lease
in 1913. Lcaaehfeld said that Pfund
who had previously severed his con
pection az local manager, engaged
he four little tower floors in which to
carry Oil experimental work. A big
radio outfit was established on the roof
Of the building st the time, but wncn
The navy ordered that all radio plants
he sealed or dismantIed it was removed,
LcaHenfcId asserted. Since then, he
said, he WIS sure the tower quar-
frTa had noufaiued thing cauablc Of