New-York tribune., 1920-12-04
Scheme to Aid
Ex-Service Men
Called Fraud
Director of League That
Published Magazines for
''Benefit of Sailors and
Soldiers'' Is Indicted
Thousands Made on Sales
Unlawful Use of Mails,
U. S. Attorney Charges;
Sought Aid Of Wilson

William S. Brewer, director Of the
Ex-Service Mems Cooperative League,
OF 2o9 Canal Street, was indicted yes
terday by the Federal grand jury,
charged with using the mails In the
furtherance Of a conspiracy to defraud.
Maxwell S. Mattuck, Assistant United
States Attorney. said that Brewer has
made thousands of dollars from the
sale of magazines represented as being
sold for the benefit OF wounded soldiers
and sailors.
Some Of those whom he is said to
have defraudcd are George r. Read &
Co., Speyer Co., the United States
Guarantee Company, the Philippine Ma
t!onal Bank, Moore, Leonard & Lynch,
W. r. Robinson, the Mechanics and Met
sls National Bank and other persons
and firms unknown
Service Mems League
Tho indictment charges that in the
course OF his scheme to defraud Brewer
organized an association known as the
"Ex- x-Servlce Mems Cooperative League"
and publ shed magazines, pamphlets
and books containing false representa-
tions and promises. He is said to have
misrepresentation to buy the maya
zines in the belief that they were doing
so to aid wounded and disabled sol
dlers and sailors, whereas. the indict-
ment charges, the proceeds from the
sales OF these magaz mes were used by
Brewer for his own purposes and in
terestS
According to the Indictment, Brewer
hired men to go forth in the uniforms
of soldiers and sailors and to sell a
magazine called "A. E. F. Fun in
France displaying the legend, pub
llshed in behalf of ExService Mems
Cooperative League" These maya
zines sold for 20 cents q copy.
Mr. Mattuck explained that Brewer
was not indicted for having his maga-
zines peddled in subways Such ac-
tons in themselves do not come within
the jurisdiction Of the Federal courts.
But, he said. the public was being
fooled by the soldiers and sailors max
ing the sales, because the books were
not sold for the purpose represented
and the men selling them were not SOL
diers or sailors and were liable to ar
rest by the navy and army intelligence
bureaus for wearing the uniform of
the United States without authority.
Profits of $50 a Day
The men, said Mr.. Mattuck, who sell
these books in the subway used to
make for themselves SEQ day when
the war spirit was still eTervescent
The Federal government is able to
charge Brewer with crime, because,
il is said, he sent through the mails
letters from wellknown persons recon-
mending his scheme. His purpose in
doing so is said to have been to sell
his magazines and gain subscriptions
He is said to have written to Pres-
dent Wilson, Secretary of War Baker,
Vice e-President-elect Coolidge, Colonel
Arthur Woods and others, inclosing in
his letters copies Of his magazine, and
to have furthered his scheme to de-
fraud by having their answers reprint
ed in manifold and sent out.
Brewer is said to have been opcrat-
ing his scheme since April, 1919 The
Federal authorities first learned Of his
alleged Vaccinations through the de-
posit in the Columbia Bank of $50
645.93. The money, according to Mr..
Maxwell, was deposited by Brewer in
the name Of q young woman who was
employed as bookAeeper in Brewers
Office.
Brewer has not been arrested. Mr..
Mattuck intends to ask him to present
himself. If he does not do so volun-
tarlly, he said, he Will be brought in by
the Federal aut hOritleS