The New York herald., 1922-08-03
ARREST IS EXPECTED
FOR ARSENIC DEATHS
Shelburn Lunchroom Owner
Tells Of Events Which May
Solve Mystery.
POISON IN MANY FOODS
Drexler Is Not Sure Who
Mixed Dough That Went
Into Pies and Rolls.
POISON IN MANY FOODS

Samuel Drexler head of the Shell
burn restaurant. 1927 Broadway. told
the police yesterday story that may
result in the arrest of an employee
who is suspected of at least having
knowledge of how arsenic got into the
pastry that killed six and made nearly
hundred patrons i'll.
Drexler declined to repeat the story
for the benefit of the public. For
several hours detectives were with
Drexler in his restaurant inspecting
every corner Of the place and review
ing the history of Drexler's relations
with his employees and former en-
ployees.
This much Drexler would tell. He is
sure that the arsenic did not get into
the pastry by accident. He says he does
not believe that any employee Of his
was retained by a rival or personal
eremy to ruin his business by poisoning
food.
| Drexler denied that any arsenic con-
tanning powder for the determination OF
reaches or other insects was kept about
| his establishment. He Is convinced that
the dough was poisoned maliciously and
offers reasons. He says he has ample
support for such theories
Sure Act Was Malicious.
Then you are convinced that whoever
put the arsenic in the dough did so with
full knowledge of what he was doing?'
he was asked.
Yes"
who would bear you such malice
and why?"
That question l have answered for
the police. l shall not repeat It. In a
short while the public will hear enough
from the authorities
Despite what Drexler said and the
optimism said to be held by the police
District Attorney Banton declared that
he was no nearer the solution of the
mystery than the day before. He had
before him. Louis Freedman of 176 De-
lancey street. Manhattan, the pastry
cooks assistant. who worked with
CHARLES Abramson. the pastry cook at
the Shelburne who quit his job last
Saturday and who is held in 500 ball
as a material witness.
Freedman said he had known Abram-
son for some time and that II was
Abramson who had employed him at the
Shclburn. He professed great admira-
tion for Abramson. as the latter did for
him. He said they had never had any
difference OF opinion and backed Abram-
son In the latter's statement &C the Dis
trict Attorney that relations between
employer and employed at the Shelbur'.
were most amlcable.
The District Attorney said that he saw
nothing In Freedman's story or attitude
that would Justify any one in suspect
ing him OF previous knowledge Of tho
tragedy. He was not detained.
In the restaurant In the evening
I)rexler was found discussing Develop
nents with "A detective and a uniformed
patrolman. Drexler had been informed
that Freedman and Abramson had dis
agreed on some points in their stories
10 the District Attorney. one being about
uho mixed the dough on Saturday. part
OF which was used on Monday by
Abramson's successor, Louis Mandell.
Drexler had heard that Freedman had
said that Abramson mixed the dough
and that Abramson had insisted that
Freedman had mixed the dough. DreSler
let II be understood that his mind was
IN turmoil as the result of contradic.
tory stories from everybody. He said
Listen. don't know VINO mixed the
dough. understand that Abramson.
who Is an A No. pastry cook hired
Freedman TO mix dough. Now whether
Freedman mixed the dough on Saturday
or not ! don't know. We have thirty
six employees and almost all Of them are
sick, so II is likely that none OF them
did 1t. We have narrowed It down TO
the dough. because arsenic is found In
the rolls we made on Monday. Every
thing else Is all right but that dough
Anybody could have gone down to
the pantry kitchen. but whether any
body who wasn't supposed to be there
went there ls beyond me. We gave
Abramson Ss5 week and the keys to
the place. He was boss OF that kitchen.
but that don't prove anything. We used
no rat or insect exterminator. More
than month ago we discovered that
ants were coming into the place. We
hired the Bliss Exterminator Company,
800 Eighth avenue. to handle them.
The last time the Bliss people were
In here was on July g. We had the
place closed for three days In order that
the determination might be thorough
There has been no powder or vermin
killer In here since. However. the de-
tectives have been here all day and 1
have given them plenty to work on
The Shclburn restaurant Is closed. The
curtains are drawn. But In front Of II
almost all day stood a crowd of men
and women who every 30 often were