Evening star., 1929-09-05
SWAyED BY LIQUOR,
TWOO[D SOLDIERS
GIVE UP SAVINGS
Worthless Security Statesmen
Get Total of $4,250
From Victims.
BOTH CASES PRESENTED
TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Better Business Bureau Investiga-
ton Brings Details of Trans
actions to Light.

Two old soldiers, one 81 and the
other SO, both residents Of the United
States Soldiers Home, have been victim
lied by statesmen of worthless securities.
who not content with taking advantage
of the advanced age of the veterans
first gave them liquor to sway them
more easily.
Both cases, in which total of $4.250
Is involved, were presented to the
United States district attorney early
this week by Louis Rothchild, director
Of the Better Business Bureau, and one
will probably be taken before the grand
jury at an early date. It was explained
that the memory of the other man was
faulty and consequently 1t Is doubtful
If criminal prosecution could be sus-
tained.
Although working separately, each Of
the swindlers used almost identical
methods. They struck up friendships
with the veterans by presents Of cigars
and trinkets and then sold them securi-
ties in companies which have no assets
and no business. A bottle of liquor &C
companied the salesman on each trip
to supplement their arguments.
Fleeing Took a Year.
In the case of the Sl-year-old man.
the process of fleeing him of his entire
savings, which amounted to $1,000,
salesman visiting him more than six
times, always with friendly bottle.
The other old soldier made his first In
vestment eight months ago. and about
six months later the last Of the 81 $50
he had saved was gone.
The cases were brought to the at
tention of the Better Business Bureau
and an investigation brought to light
facts which, at least in the affair Of
the older of the two victims, are con-
sidered suficient to support charges Of
though this is up to the grand jury.
Although infirm in body, the memory
Of the old soldier Is said to be unusu-
ally keen, and he remembers in detail
all the representations which were
made to him.
He told the Investigators that he had
raised a thirst long before it was illegal
to drink and that the liquor his sup
posed friend always brought him was
welcome. On one occasion, he said, the
swipdler took him and a comrade OF
almost his own age to Baltimore, where
they went to speakeasy.
First Investment $1,000.
First he was persuaded to invest ST.
600 In company whose business. 1t was
explained, was to sell insured savings
for banks. His consent was gained, he
declared, by the representation that the
banks. This was found to be false and.
according to Mr.. Rothschild, the stock
Is worth no more than the paper on
which It Is printed.
Il was shortly after the visit to the
baltimore speakeasy that he consented
to invest 81, 700 more in the same COM
many. When the case was brought TO
the notice of investigators the sales
man was trying to persuade MIN 10 sen
A small house he owns in Hyattsville
and convert the proceeds into the same
bogus securities.
Eight months ago another salesman
struck up a friendship with the So
year-old veteran by similar means and
secured an investment from him OF
81 900 in a Pittsburgh finance company.
By means of polished arguments and
free use of the ever-preSent bottle ne
was able to persuade the olu man to
trade the shares, which were nearly
worthless, for stock In his own invest
ment corporation, later found to be ALB
solutely without value.
Failed TO Receive Dividends.
Things went smoothly for several
months and then the veterans sus-
picions were aroused by his failure to
receive the dividends promised him and
he consulted bank, where he was In
formed Of the true nature OF what ne
had bought. He telephoned the sales.
man and told him what he had learned
and demanded his money back. He
was told that certainly the money would
be refunded to him, but 1t would take
time. If he wanted it returned cuick-
ly The best way was to add $3.50 TO
II and trade II for 81, ESQ worth OF
charter stock in a Maryland building
and loan association. So persuasive
was the salesman that the old man gave
in to his arguments and handed over
the money. In due time the engraved
stock certificates were sent him and
for a while he was satisfied.
Again he became uneasy and con-
suited the banker, who turned the case
over TO the Better Business Bureau,
which in its investigation also learned
of the alleged swindling Of the other
veteran.
The building and loan association
stock was learned to be without any ap-
nreciable value and the president OF
the company is said by Mr.. Rothschild
to have g. police record.
Roth the statesmen who vtctimized the
old men are well known to police and
are said to have been involved in nu-
merous deals Of questionable legality.