New-York tribune., 1918-01-02
Attorney General Begins
Inquiry Into His Activities
in License Bureau
S Unable to Get Bail
Men Captured in Conspiracy
Raid Spend Day in
the Tombs

Following the arrest Monday night
of three men who, by the use of fraud
ulcnt af1idavits, arc charged with hav-
ing illegally obtained exemptions for
drafted men able to pay their price,
Merton e. Lewis, Attorney General OF
the state. started separate investiga-
ton yesterday into the previous activi-
ties as "a special inspector" in the Bu-
rcau of Licenses of George A. Ringler,
named as the leader of the draft con
spiracy ring.
1t appears from special report made
February 9, 1916, by Leonard Nj. Wall
stein, Commissi sioncr of Accounts to
Mayor Mitchell, that Ringler's dismissal
from the Bureau of Licenses was rec
commended because of his activities as
an Inspector of motion picture houses.
Ringler had the full authority of his
office, but did not receive any salary
and was not under the discipline of any
superior officer. Commi ssoner Wal lstein
not only advised Ringler's prompt dis
missal, but informed the Mayor in this
report that Ringler carried an in
srector's shield, patrolmans card, n
fire lines pass, and that he went armed
with a blackjack, (Which he used in tho
course of his duties without justitica-
tion.''
Rnglcr, with William Abramson and
Morris Asofsky, named as co-conspir-
ators, and DR.. Charles Brm and
Maurice Lesser. held for further in
vestigation, will be arraigned this
morning before United States Commits
sioner Hitchcock
The five defendants were not only
unable to obtain bail Yesterday be-
cause of the holiday, but remained in
the Tombs without even being per-
mitted to sec their attorneys or rela-
tives. Ringler was to have been mar
ried Saturday to Miss Sylvia Stein, Of
66 Essex Street, in whose home he was
when arrested. 1t was said at Miss
Stems home that she would remain
loyal to him under all circumstances.
Alfred L. Becker, Deputy Attorney
General, under whose direction the
evidence against the alleged conspira-
tors was obtained, arrived from Albany
last night to take charge Of the case.
Mr.. Becker said that forty subpnnas
had been isued for registrants who had
filed exemption claims from the office
of the defndants, at 204 East Broad
way. Abramson and Asofsky, it is al
legged attended to the legal technicali-
ties there, after which Rlngler was in
troduced as political power who
"stood in right with the proper parties
at Albany" Asofsky was the Fusion
candidate for alderman in his district
last fall.
The special Wallstein report to ths
Mayor recitcs that Ringler's activities
as a motion picture house inspector
caused three separate Investigations BY
municipal authorities. From the fact:
cited in the report, it appears thai
Ringler worked with James +. Dillon
an inspector Of the Bureau Of Fire
Prevention, investigating picture the
atres. The team work idea was the
idea Of Ringler himself, who suggested
that if they made inspections together
one would be able to corroboratc the
other.
On the night of September 90, 1915
it is charged that both men inspected
picture theatre at 1873 Second Ave
nue.. They compared notes, according
to Mr.. Wallstein's report, and boil
found that there were standees in tn,
theatre, violation of the fire laws.
The theatre proprietors were calle,
for trial before Deputy COMMISSIONS
of Licenses Kaufman, October /, 1915
When Ringier was called at this hear
ing, and again at magistrates hear
ing on December 20, his testimony diff
fered greatly from Dillon's. Commits
sioner Wallstein, in his report to tn
Mayor. said Ringlers testimony at tn
trial was 1Intrua