New-York tribune., 1921-05-11
Says He Helped
kauff Steal ON
Big Money Lure
Shields Induced TO Join i'm
Auto Seizures, He Testi-
ties. by Ball Players
Glowing Tale of Profits
Details One $1,000 Job
Ex-Governor Tener Char.
acter Witness for Out
fielder at Larceny Trial


fielder for the Giants, was placed on
trial in the Court of General Sessions
yesterday before Judge Thomas C. T.
Grain and fury on the charge of
grand larceny and receiving stolen
property. He is charged with stealing
an automobile and selling it to Ignatz
Engel, Of 81 West 125th Street. The
morning session was principally de-
voted 20 completing che Jury.
The witnesses examined wers James
Shields and James F. Whalen, both un-
der suspended sentences for stealing
automobiles; Detective John J. Koran,
under indictment for receiving unlaw-
FIJI fees in connection witt, tho return
of stolen autoraahiles; James +. Bren-
nan, of the Hotel Gramatan, Bronx
vile, owner Of the stolen car, and John
X. Tener, former president Of the Ma
tional Leagus and Ex-Governor Of
Pennsylvania.
Mr. Brennan, &hs Gyss witness, testi-
Aed that the car was valued at $4,000
and was stolen FROM In front Of his
fathers home at gs3 West End Avenue.
He said he left che car locked and o
half hou1 later found it was missing.
Two months later IL was recovered by
Detectives Martin Owens and Horan,
who were connected with the auto
squad of the Police Department..
Says KauR Suggested Thefts
| Shields, the next witness, testified
he was formerly employed by Kauff
in an auto accessories shop at
tS5 Columbus Avenue He said that
three months before the theft he
told Kauf he was going to Cuba
to make some money According
to the testimony KauR asked him
to stay in New York and told him much
money could be made stealing autos,
which he, Kauf, could dispose Of.
On the night Of December 8, 1919,
Shields said, he met Kautf in the
Hotel Monterey and Kauf is alleged
to have said it was good night
for stealing cars Then he tele-
phoned to Whalen: The three started
out, according 20 the testimony, to find
had purchaser. Brennan's car was
sighted, IL was said, and seemed to
answer the requirements Of the pros
pective buyer. The car was unlocked
with a screw driver. and Kauff, Shields
said, took the wheel and he and
Whalen jumped on the running board.
The next step taken, according to
Shields, was to drive the auto to a
garage kept by Kauf and remove the
number plate from the motor. The
plate. was shown in evidence.
Shields's testimony was interrupted
long enough to permit Mr. Tener to
testify as character witness. Mr,
Tener said that he had to go out of
town, and asked that he be permitted
to testify without delay. He said that
while he was president Of the National
League he never had occasion to dis
cipline kauff and that he was an hon
est, enthusiastic and exemplary base
ball player Further than this he said
he knew nothing of Kauff.
Corroborates Hotel Meeting
Whalen testified of the meeting in
the Monterey and Of the alleged search
for Cadillac. He said that at Ninety
eighth Street they saw new CADILLAC
and went over and took it. He said thew
drove to Kauff's repair shop and
changed the tires, remarking we al
ways did this" He said they then
changed the number on the motor and
parted for the night. The next day
ne said, the car was taken to a paint
shop conducted by negro at 18th
Street and Seventh Avenue, and
| painted black.
Whaien said that KauR went to q
man named Schultz in the Bronx, but
| Schultz did not want the cay and re-
fferred him to Engel, who later paid
$1,800 cash for it. The money, WhaIen
said, was equally divided after Kaufr
was given back the money he had ad-
vanced for the painting and other ex-
penses. He said that an old bill of
sale had been redrafted before a notary
public, and this was given to Engei.
Whalen also said the name William
Dorst, used in the bill of sale, was sug-
gested by KauiT.
Detective Horan told Of finding the
car and OF Engel telling him it was
purchased from KaufF. G also told Of
the arrest of Kauff by himself and De-
tective Owens. Koran was under cross
examination when the trial was ad-
journed for the day.
John G. Hennay, salesman. OF 532
Third Avenue, is foreman of the Jury.
Emil Fuchs is counsel for the defense
| and Assistant District Attorney Ferdi-
nand Pecora In charge Of the prosecu-
Sion.
The trial will be resumed to-day.
Tearle's Alimony Charge
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