South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-19
BOND SUSPECT A
FAKER IS BELIEF
At STUDEBAKERS
Treasurer and Attorney Say
Chicago Prisoner Knows
Nothing of Case.

cago and Julius Roberton. secret
service operative on special assign
ment 70 the Federal Reserve system
Of banks. have made another blind
stab" in the arrest Of Thomas West
over IS years old, of 26OG y. Clark
St. Chicago, relative TO the recovery
of S25O.00O worth of Liberty loan
bonds stolen from the Studebaker
corporation local officials of the
company doubted the Chicago police
assertion that Westover could lead
them 10 the hiding place OF the
bonds
on Jan. ., last. there disappeared
a packet containing 10 bonds. each
of $4,000 denomination. sent from
the First National bank of Detroit
TO the local office of the Studebaker
corporation by registered mail Post
office authorities were positive that
the packet had been delivered TO
representative Of the local factory
while plant officials were equally
positive after an investigation. that
the bonds never reached a repre-
FcItcs Calls Him Fakcr.
y G. Feltes. treasurer of the cor
poration said Monday that he be-
lieved Westover, the man arrested
i'm Chicago. was nothing more or
less than faker and that when
Westover was in South Bend. some
five weeks ago. he knew nothing of
the present location of the bonds, but
was desiring money. Mr.. Feltes was
practically certain that knowledge
of the whereabouts of the bonds
would not be gotten from Westover.
William q. Crabiu, an attorney
for the Studebaker corporation. is
lhe man that Westover communi-
Gated with when here about FIVE
weeks ago. Mr. Crabill said that
/ Westover appeared to be intoxicated
and the truth of his story was ser
iously doubted.
Westover. Il appears. was acting
as go-between. appearing as a friend
of the man who has the bonds and
he appealed TO Mr.. Crabill for money
with which 10 carry on the recovery
of the bonds. At that time West
send man with him but when Mr..
Crabill started TO talk business
Westover backed down on the pro
posal 20 taking a man with him.
This was another reason cited by To-
cal officials for their refusal TO be
lieve the Chicago mans story.
Got Tip on Train.
Julius Roberton, the secret service
operative at whose instance West
, over was arrested Sunday in the Ho-
tel Morrison in Chicago. bases his
reasons for the arrest on several
grounds Roberton was coming from
New York on the Lake Shore and
when the train stopped at South Bend
three men got on. Roberton over
heard one of the men mention the
name of Stujebaker and listened
closely 10 the converse tion. one of
tho party. supposedly Westover.
made the statement. so we put the
proposition UP 10 Erskine cold. and
7 nc turned MS down Vow If he wants
20 see those bonds he'll have 10
come through"
Roberton lost trace OF his men
after they left the L.asalle street sta
tion and since that time has been on
a still hunt for his man. finding him
Sunday. Chicago police who cooper
ated with Roberton in the arrest Of
/ Westover. are positive in their be-
/ lief that Westover can lead them
TO the place where the unregistered
bonds ere hidden
Was Formerly Inspector.
Westover was formerly a govern
ment Inspector at an explosive plant
I'm West NI~-inia. When arrested he
was IN company with George Sugruc.
$500 :. Halstead ST.. Chicago. Sugrue
/ convinced Chicago authorities that
he was not implicated i'm the rob
berry and was released.
/ A Il. Erskine. president OF the
I Studebaker corporation. left Sunday
afternoon for Detroit where he is ex-
pected TO remain until next Thurs
day.