The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-28
SEVEN BROTHERS
GET PRISON TERMS
Solomons, Syrians, Sentenced
to Atlanta on Swindling
Charge.
VICTIMS LOST $75O,000
Operated a Complicated Trad
ing System to Cheat
Creditors.
VICTIMS LOST $3.50, 900

The seven brothers Solomon, inmi-
grants from Syria. who have swindled
manufacturers and jobbers of $4,000
In three years by taking advantage Of
commercial credit methods, were SEN
fenced to serve two years in the Atlanta
PeniteDtiary yesterday by Judge John
c. Knox in the Federal District Court.
Three of the brothers-Charies, John
and Abraham-wsre alleged to have d.
rected huge conspiracy to defraud
merchants. The plan provided for the
establishment Of firms In many cities.
the obtaining Of lines OF credit through
the installation of substantial stocks and
the making of large bank deposits. the
theft OF goods delivered on credit and
the quick abandonment of the business
The conspirators had six places OF
business last July under various hrm
names within ten blocka on Broadway.
They had short lived places In Boston.
Philadelphia, Trenton. Baltimore. New
ark, Bridgeport and Paterson. It was
their practice to establish themselves
always In Buildings that had rear en-
frances. 1t Is charged that merchan-
disc delivered through the front door.
was simply moved through the build
ing and shipped out the rear The
stock originally placed In the esta blish-
ment also gradually disappeared through
the rear door and when the firm de-
camped, coincident with the expiration
OF the short credit lines incoming cred
itors found nothing but empty shelves.
This practice was modified, however
In the case of firms that were put into
bankruptcy. In this case It is alleged
that the conspirators made false state
ments/to deceive creditors. Among the
exhibits gathered by post Office inspec-
tors was An alleged deed to real prop
erty Mt Main and Barsha streets. Beldad.
Turkey. and q receipt purporting to ex-
plain tho loss OF $4,000 on a wager on
Mr.. Houghes" in the Presidential cam
paign of 1915.
The conspirators maintained three
places permanently. 1t Is alleged rs
clearing house for the stolen merchan-
disc. These were the Liberty Importing
Company at 1916 Liberty street, the
Canadian Trading Company AT 543
Broadway and the Broadway Jobbing
House at 136 Broadway. To make trac-
ing OF stolen goods difficult they main
tained their own trucking company.
Among the many firms that were VIC
timized were Frederick Victor & Ache
lis, lie Roy Silk Company, the A. s. Ro-
stnthal Company. Marshall Field & Co.
Fred Butterfeld & Co. L. +. DONNIE
rich Go. and ]. e. Ludwig & Co.
Recurring losses under similar cir
cumstances caused members Of the New
York Credit Mems Association to suspect
systematic scheme early in 1918. Post
Office Inspectors X. J. Pollitt and o. NJ.
Shaeffer were assigned to the case.
The investigation led to the arrest of
twenty-three men. all Syrians. All of
.nese were indicted on a technical charge
of using the mails to defraud. The in
dictment was not pressed against seven
because of the youth OF the defendants
or because OF help given to the Gov
eminent.
one OF the defendants nan..d in the
indictment. Joseph X. Joseph, did not
plead guilty with the others. He will
BIO tried.