Evening star., 1938-12-18

Kesson & Robbins in the reorganiza-
ton proceedings, would be ques-
toned by the Federal grand jury.
The United States attorneys Of
nee was not only interested in his
knowledge of the inner workings of
the concern, but also in Mr.. Michaels
sale of 1902 shares of McKesson &
Robbins common stock for more
than $4,000 a few days before
trading in the stock was suspended
on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange.
Harry E. Mackenzie of Bethel,
Conn.,, former Republican leader of
Fairfield County and formerly a
State prohibition administrator, also
was to be questioned.
From the brothers and sisters of
Coster-Musica and perhaps from
persons who may come forward now
that Costers real identity has been
exposed. the authorities hope to fill
in the years of Coster- Musica's life
since he vanished from his old
haunts in Manhattan in the
early 20's.
Fearful of Discovery.
Although he frequently came to
New York from Fairfield in the 12
years since he became president of
Mckesson & Robbins, Coster- -Musica
was ever fearful of the peril of dis
covery.
Sometimes on these visits he
stayed at a midtown hotel. A bar
Der remembered him as a dignified,
elderly man, carefully groomed and
impeccable in his tastes.
But he remembered that Coster-
Musica, the man who led such a
strange double life, often appeared
nervous and watched the door and
arriving customers. Sometimes he
requested the barber to come to his
room. Invariably he gave him a IS
bill and declined the change.
Once, while visiting New York
and this, perhaps, is the strangest
incident yet related of Coster-Musi-
ca masquerade-he ran into a man
who had known him in 1916. The
acquaintance, Francis x. Hobs, Sd,
didn't know Philip Musica was F..
Donald Coster, head of McKesson &
Robbins.
Il ran across him in Grand Gen.
trail Station couple of weeks ago."
Mr.. Hobs said today. II said, How
are you, Phil? What are you doing
now?'"
Hello, Hobs, I'm working out in
Detroit for Henry Ford now" re
replied.
And with that the head of the
$87 600, 900 corporation was on his
way, hastily making the excuse he
must hurry to catch a train for
Detroit.
Refused to Pose.
There was always that fear of
recognition, the possibility that an
acquaintance or friend of the days
when he was growing up on the
East Side, badgering his father to
embrace his schemes for quick for
tune, or some one who had known
him as Jail bird or in his later
role of stool pigeon, might meet
him one day in the company of a
business associate and address him
as Phil"
Coster-Musica, of course, might
have been prepared for that, for
boldness and craft were concomi-
tants of his nature, but he refused
time and again to pose for photo
graphs for trade publications.
The other brothers, especially
Robert, who was only when the
United States Hair Co.'S business
collapsed, were less timorous for
they were not so prominent in the
world of finance.
Nor did they rate a listing in
who's Who in America" as Heidel-
berg graduates and members OF
swanky clubs like the Bankers and
Lotos. There were no yachts for
them like the 135-footer Carolita
on which Philip entertained the
friends who regarded him as a cul-
tured doctor.
Both George and Robert lived
modestly in Fairfield, hiding the
fact the great man in the Italian
villa was their brother and the
scheming brain behind their elab-
orately conceived deceit. And George