The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-13
0UTWITS ARMY:
FLEES ITS JAIL
Frank E. Speicher Poses as a
Lieutenant-COlonel and
Nets $500.
USES FAKE COMMISSIONS
Bats Jersey Spectators on
Wild Tale-Gets Aid in
Governors Island Escape.

Frank Edward Speicher was a first
Class automobile mechanic when he
was drafted into the Motor Transport
Corps of the army from his home in
Arlington, y. j.. last June. and sent to
Camp HUMPHREYS Va, where he was
assigned TO the Fifth Engineer Train
ing Battalion. He was a good soldier
snappy and obedient, and he soon be-
came noted for his physical prowess
and his eagerness to tackle hard jobs
All the officers liked him so we'll that
within few weeks they made him a
sergeant, and he had no trouble in OBJ
tanning a leave of ten days when he
asked for II soon afterward.
II want to go to Washington" he
said, and see some friends about a
commission"
1t was Second Lieut.. Speicher that
came back to Camp HUMPHREYS. He ex-
planned to the camp commander that
he had taken the oath of Office while
in Washington, and that he was now
. commissioned officer. They took his
word for it, and a few weeks later
when a notice, ostensibly from the
War Department, reached the camp
promoting him to a First Lieutenacy
he was warmly congratulated.
In a few more weeks First Lieut.
Speicher got another ten day leave
and when he came back he wore the
silver bars OF a Captain.
But. October OF 1918. according to
the information OF the Military Intelli-
gence Division of the Army. the police
of Newark, n, j., came down TO Camp
HUMPHREYS and arrested Speicher on a
charge OF embezzlement Speicher was
released from custody after several
prominent Newark men had interviewed
in his behalf and got his bail reduced
from $4,000 to 81 500 but he did not
return to Camp HUMPHREYS. He mad
found something a great deal better in
Newark.
Gets Into R2.OOO.OOO Syndicate.
During his stay there Speicher formed
the acquaintance OF group Of Newark
men who contemplated forming a
100000 syndicate TO purchase from
the Government, after the war, surplus
automobiles and accessories. Speicher
knew all about such things, and he made
a good impression upon the syndicate,
particularly by being suddenly promoted
10 a Majority. whereupon he DOTTED the
silver bars of a Captain and donned the
gold leaf OF higher rank. The syndicate
members took Speicher into their con-
fidence and let him in on the syndicate.
Speicher repaid this kindness by TAX
ing one OF the capitalists down to Camp
Holabird. Maryland. and showing him
about the place. where the Government
keeps several million dollars worth OF
automobiles and accessories.
When they got to the Maryland camp
Speicher had what seemed to be an
order from Gen. Drake of the Motor
Transport Corps authorizing him TO en-
ter into negotiations for the sale OF sur
plus equipment OF the corps, calling
specifically for a contract TO sell 1872
Dodge cars at $500 each and $2.250.0 900
worth OF rubber tires. The syndicate's
representative reported TO his coliea CUES
that Speicher was a reliable man
and that his proposition was all right
This impression was strengthened by
the fact that when Speicher next ap-
reared he wore the silver leaf OF Lieu
tenant C colonel. He explained that his
work of arranging the sale had gained
him another promotion.
The syndicate arranged Immediately
(Confiuued ON Stptk Pd1el