The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-08-24
MASTER SWNDLER
TURNS TO NEW YORK
AS PARIS BALKS HIM
Harry Silberberg Back at
Schemes After Eleven
Years in SeclusiOn.
USED GOV. FOLKS NAME
Posed as Representative Of
War Finance Corporation
to French Bankers.
GENIUS FOR CHICANERY
Man Who Duped Curzon Fails
in Two Other Deals With
Financiers in Paris.
GENIUS FOR CHICANERY

ElnanclerS In Paris.
Special Gable to THE New YORK HERALD
Copyright, 1891. by THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, Aug. p3.l
After avoiding notoriety for many
years, Harry Silberberg, international
swtndler, who a decade ago startled
Europe and America by a series Of
financial escapades which won for him
the title Society Wolf" has reap
peared.
According to those with whom he
has had contact here--fortunately, not
to his profit-Silberberg to-day is
speeding toward New York as a first
class passenger aboard the steamship
George Washington, after having
failed to sell coal mines to wealthy
Americans or foodstuffs to the Portu-
guese Government, and above all. after
having aroused doubts regarding his
responsibility by the unauthorized use
Of the name Of ex-Gov. Folk of Mis-
souri, in promoting a financial scheme.
Here he was under the name of JEFF
ferson Williams, financial promoter
Prominent financiers and Govern
ment officials who have conversed ire
quently with Williams, and who have
studied closely photographs published
in THE New YoRK HERALD and other
newspapers In January. 1910, declare
there is not the slightest doubt that
Silberberg and Williams were one and
the same, although his operations have
not nroyed to have been of a swindling
nature.
Even the head clerk at the Hotel de
Crillon on seeing Silberberg's photo
graph unhesitatingly exclaimed
Sure, know him: that Is Williams.
He used to stop here with Czecho-
Slovak valet"
Had "war Finance Aid"
williams" arrived In Paris severa
months ago with a brilliant idea of col
lecting 10 per cent. commission Tor All
the financial assistance he C uld OBTAIN
for needy French clients. He repre-
senfed himself as authorized 10 act Tor
ex-Coy. Folk apf several Democratic
politicians whose influence with the War
Finance Corporation he pictured Drill
,antly In fact il was represented that
without his help it would be Impossible
for any one to get war finance aid. and,
naturally, this was worth hoerai COM
pensation.
French and American bankers here
before crediting these statements. started
an Investigation and obtained nat te-
NAL from Mr.. Folk and others that
"yyilliams' was their agent. Mr.. FOX
insisted he had not even met the pro-
moter.
Doubts as to the promoters reliability
arose when New York residents visiting
paris professed to have recognized him
in the Bots de Boulogne as SilberbcrS.
The man who had used the name of j.
Coleman Drayton while touring ln1ta.
where Lord Curzon, then Viceroy, ten
dered TO him 4 State dinner.
The similarity in the names Jeir"r-
son williams and Silberberg Old aiias,
James Jeffries Williams. strengtnened
tbe suspicions. williams changed hotels
frequently. and after a hasty trip to
America in June returned TO Paris to
remain only month. leaving last Fri
dav without bidding farewell TO many
prominent men whom he had almost In
terested in his schemes by plausible ex-
plantations.
HID Coal Mines for Sale.
Also Il Is known that he tried to sell
three coal mines on New River in the
Virginia district 20 wealthy Americans
who have been prominent IN interna-
tIonal finance for the last twenty years.
Later on they dropped negotiations when
A personal investigation in Virginia con-
yinced them there were no mines Tor
sale there To others he offered TO fur
niah American coal at prices far below
ma rket quotations. but he found no
takers.
Another plan involved the supplying Of
immense quantities OF foodstuas 70 the
Portuguese Government, and he actually
succeeded In negotiating with high Por-
tuguese officials here.
He appears 10 have kept within the
law. the only objection here to his pro-
cedure being his constant use Of tho
names OF responsible American citizens
To foster his connection with the War
Finance Corporation. Inquiries made
directly 10 the corporation brought a def
mite statement from It's chairman that ali
advances to Europe would be made With
out any influence being necessary.
Thus. had silherbergs plans not gone
astray, he wtld have stood TO clear
several hundre thousand dollars IN
few months as ~ percentage for obtain
Ing help through lis so-called group.
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