The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-11-29
DR., COOK GETS
14-YEAR TERM
Arctic Explorer Fined $4,000
Also on IL Counts, After Trial
With Thirteen Associates.
LEADERS PAY BIG FINES
S. E. J. Cox, Aviator, Is Given Eight
Years-Judge Denounces Activl-
ties as "DamnabIe, Cold
6Iooded Con Came"

Fort Worth, Tex.-Dr. Frederick
A. Cook, oil operator and Arctic ex-
plorer, was found guilty in Federal
Court here of fraud in connection
with the operations of the Petroleum
Producers Association. He was SEN
fenced to serve fourteen years and
nine months in Federal prison and
fined $4,000 by Judge John M. Kill
Its.
Fred K. Smith. treasurer of the
company, was sentenced to serve
seven years in prison and was fined
$4,000.
Seymour E. j. Cox was sentenced
to eight years and fined $4,000
Other co-defendants of Cook who
were found guilty received the fol-
lowing sentences:
A. K. Eckman, seven years and $12,-
600 fine; w. L. Braddish and w. P.
Welty, two years each and $1,000
fine; ] S Rocks. C. w. Sleete, s. l..
Hess, r. o. Turner, N. S. Kenninger,
E. ]. Bowen and R. L. Maxwell. each
one year and a day and fines of ST.
900; L. A. McKercher, six years and
a fine Of $1,000
0. L. Ray, g. A de Montrond, Fl. e.
Robinson, Harry Bleam and j. E Bur-
meister, all of whom previously had
entered pleas of guilty, were fined
$500 each. H. o. Stephens, who also
entered plea of guilty, was fined
$1,000 and sentenced to ninety days
in jail
Judge Killits passed sentence ON
DR.. Cook after a scathing denuncia-
ton Of the methods said to have been
practiced by the former Arctic ex-
plorer Cook made no statement.
All the convicted men Immediately
were taken to jail, where they will
remain until they either make bond
or their appeals, which they say they
will make, are acted upon. Cooks
bond was placed at $4,000, which he
will not be permitted to make until
after complete record of the case
has been drawn
Only one of the fourteen men who
stood trial in Federal Court for six
weeks was acquitted, and he, A. M.
Delcambre, on an instructed verdict
ordered by Judge Killits.
The court imposed sentences on the
convicted men before a courtroom
filed with curious crowds and weep
the defendants.
DR.. Cook, made an international
character because of sheer effrontery,
was conducting school of crime and
operating a cold-blooded, deliberate
confidence game, disguised as the Pc
troleum Producers Association, Judge
Killits said.
His general denunciation was made
while thanking the jury for nearly
six weeks of tireless service
you have done what expected YOU
to do the court said, when this
nefarious scheme began to unfold in
the evidence.
First we had Ananias, and the
twentieth century produced DR.. Fred
erick A, Cook" said Judge Killits.
well, Cook" he added, what have
you to say for yourself?"
The Arctic explorer made no an
swer as he stood up for sentence.
'You have at last reached the
point" said the Judge, where your
hypnotic personality that duped thou
sands and made young men work for
you will avail you nothing. This deal
is so damnably crooked that the law
yers who defended you must have had
to hold handkerchiefs to their noses.
You're too dangerous to let run at
large Undoubtedly you have got
much i'll gotten wealth hidden-money
belonging to the poor people of the
United States. Oh, God, Cook, haven't
you any decency? Are you haunted
at nights? Can you sleep? But I'm
foolish to talk. What l say doesn't
sting you," the Judge added as he
ended his denunciation and pro
nounced sentence.