Evening star., 1921-08-24
BANK CASHIER HERE
TO Be QUESTIONED
IN GREAT SW|ND[E
Federal Officials Reported
Hurrying From Chicago to
Interrogate Him.
S15,00o,000 IN SECURITIES
SEIZED IN CLEVELAND
Authorities Spread Out Dragnet for
French's Assistants-Many
Banks Victimized.

French'S ASSlSCantS-Many
Banks Victimized.
By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, August 24.-The name of
j. P. Morgan today was brought into
the investigation of the operations
of Charles W. French and other
members of an alleged band Of
swindlers, arrested here last week,
by James Horace Leet of Cleveland,
who told federal officers that Morgan
had turned down one Of French's al
legged schemes.
CLEVELAND. Ohio, August "a
Fifteen million dollars in notes and
securities were seized in the Union
Trust Company safety deposit vaults
here today by John Sawken. Depart
ment of Justice agent. investigating
the Cleveland activities OF Charles W.
French, alleged Chicago swindler,
under arrest in that city.
The seizure came after Elmer Ger
ber, Cleveland stock broker and for
mer secretary to French. confessed
his connection with the French opera
tions to Sawken and led him to the
safety vault.
CHICAGO, August 24.-Federal in
vestigators delving into the affairs of
Charles w. French, alleged head of
group of swindlers operating on a ma
tional scale. today estimated that s12.-
100000 might be involved in the band 8
activities. Its manipulations. it Is de-
clared. were the most audacious ever
uncovered by federal agents. and in
cluded alleged banking schemes. bond
manipulations and stock transactions
involving seventeen companies and
three banks.
Three alleged confessions were in the
possession of federal authorities today
Government agents have also re-
covered million and half dollars
worth Of doubtful notes and have made
eight arrests.
Alva Harshman, for the last six
years Frenchs secretary. confessed
ant United States district attorney,
regarding the bands activities. MIR.
Clinnin said, He was released in
$4,000 bonds and is expected to be
star aae., witness ;,as for the government;
bands activities came from Rudolph
Kohn. head of the American Rubber
Company. Chicago concern.
Iavolved With W0rthinEton.
French was arrested some time ago
IN connection with the activities Of
John W.. Worthington. alleged head Of a
group engaged in disposing of securities
obtained in mail robberies.
French is held here under $25, 900
bonds. Besides French and Worth
ington, both of whom are under ar
rest Harshman, in his alleged con-
fession. implicated a number of 9TH
estate man; Elmer Gerber of Cleve-
land and A. +. Strelzin Of Milwaukee
were yesterday taken into custody in
those cities, as agents of French To-
day federal officials were said to be
hurrying to Washington to question
said to be involved in the operations
of swindlers. II don't know when
arrests will end" Mr.. Clinnin said.
1.-The whole affair is almost too big
to grasp-I doubt II even French
could tell its ramif1cations easily"
Banks, bond houses. investment Sc
curity brokers and wealthy business
men from coast to coast were declared
to have been the victims or dupes Of
one of the most gigantic swindles
ever unearthed by federal agents.
Millions in Bonds Traced.
Six million dollars worth of stolen
bonds. nearly 100000 in worthless
dollars worth of trust deeds and
forged certificates of deposit have
been traced by Department of JUS
tice agents. 1t was said.
The revelations resulted from
confession accredited to Alva W.
Harshman. who was declared to have
been private secretary to French,
and who surrendered today. He was
alleged to have told of deal nego-
tiated by French for the purchase
of bank In the middle west that
involved the exchange of 100000.
a Washington. D. c., man. accord
Ing TO Harshman, was to obtain Ger
checks, he said. were to be presented
to the bank owners and when the
band gained control of the establish
ment they were to cash all certifi-
Gates of deposit the bank owned. The
money. he said. would then be for
warded to the Washington man, who
would deposit it before the certified
were cleared and returned. Many
other similar deals were also de-
scribed.
In another case. It was asserted, a
large amount Of stolen securities were
placed with a small country bank in re-
deposit slip, it was said, was cashed and
the bank left holding the securities
which would be identified and reclaimed
when it tried to realize on them.
Among names of the firms alleged to
have been signed to notes used BY the
bank were: Curtis Printing Company,
Akron. Ohio. $4,000; Mackey Truck
Company. Akron. $4,000; Porcupine
Mountain Lumber Company, Cleveland
$4,000: Portage Market, Akron.
$21.00O: Heninger, Plumbing Supply
Company. Akron. $25,00o; schwartzer
Wrecking Company. Dayton, Ohio,
100000; Midwest Automobile Sales
Company, Dayton. $4,000; Dayton FL
nancing Company. Dayton. $500. 900; z.
w. Davis, Akron. 100000; Apple FL
nancing Company. Dayton, 5000, 900 ::
American Rubber Company. Chicago,
$4,000; H. NJ. Strong Metal Products
Company. Cleveland. $4,000: Cleveland