New Britain herald., 1925-03-18
ALLEGED SWINDLER l HELD FOR HEARING Yale Wolf Charged With Opera
 ting Fake JeWelry Club
 TRIAL THIS AFTERNOON
Remodcling Theatcr-Attcnd Coun- ty Meeting--s Successful Entertain ment --. Grange Notes - Church Supper-PIalnyille Briefs.

Supper-Plainyille Briefs.
 Yale Wolfe of 547 Campbell av- enue. New Haven, was arrested last evening about 5 o'clock by State Po- l.ceman Arthur Cone on a charge of receiving money under false pre- lenses. He Is alleged to have op- erated fake jewelry club in Plain- will, New Britain, Southington. Meri- den, Bristol and other places in this vicinity. He was brought to Plain- vile and locked up last night and is held for hearing today under bonds of s1,500. He was unable to secure bail and was locked up await ing his trial which was scheduled to be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock.
 Wolfe was arrested following a number of complaints lodged with the local constabulary by residents who say they have been mulcted out of sums ranging from 50 cents to $10O.
 Wolfe termed himself a repre- sentative of the International China & Silver company of New Haven and he was wont to visit homes and interest housewives in a scheme for the formation of jewelry club. In this, all who agreed to join, paid 50 cents weekly. Each week number was drawn out and the person hold ing the lucky ticket was awarded a chest of silver said to be worth $S4.50. Upon winning, the person holding the ticket stopped payments and secured the chest of silver.
 | Wolfe is said to have had a glib tongue and he told glowing stories of persons in Plainville winning every so often and in this way. the silver half dollar pieces kept rolling in. Soon, however. some becoming tired of paying without ever winning, started to investigate the winners whose names were given out by Wolfe. They found that the persons who were supposed to them to be winners, had been told that mem- bers of the investigators had won and so the cat was out of the bag. Further investigation it is said tend ed to show that no one ever won anything except Wolfe.
 | Policeman Cone, reputed to be one of the most clever detectives on I the state force, was soon on the trail of Wolfe. He found that the con- cern he was representing had been closed and a sheriff's lock had been < placed on the door. The company maintained a small office in New Haven in which there was a little office furniture and several pieces of silver of the cheapest variety. A girl bookkeeper in answer to ques- tions put to her by some who visit ed the place, is said to have told the people that she would not work there unless she was paid in advance. The state policeman continued his investigation and soon got on the trail of Wolfe and arrested him yes- terday ---
 For the past few years the New Britain Chamber of Commerce has been deluged with complaints from New Britain people that they have been making purchases from con- cern of this kind and never heard of anyone who drew less than the full amount. Miss Hary E. Curtin, when secretary, communicated with New Haven county police officials but was informed that the organiza- tion was within the law.
 Recently Miss Vivian R. Scott, in response to a number of complaints. again started an investigation and asked the aid of the state police.
 Successful Entertainment.
 The St. Patrick's entertainment given last night in the Community theater on Whiting street under the auspices of the combined commit tees of the church of Our Lady of Mercy for the benefit of the church, was the biggest success both so- cially and financially of recent years. One of the most pleasing surprises of the evening was the do- nation by the owners of the theater of the use of the building gratis to the committees giving the affair. The vocal, dancing and instru- mental numbers were exceptionally well rendered. Henry Baum, who is reputed to be one of the most pleas ing singers of the town, was in good voice, as was John Kelly, tenor solo ist of the Immaculate Conception church of Hartford. Other numbers rendered by Edmund Tolli. Flor ence Tani and Mrs. Martin Casey, were well received, while George Arel performed in a most brilliant stvIn The dannino of Yha MisSes