davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-12-30
MANUEL
ARRESTED FOR
FATAL SHOOTING
Charged With The Death Of
Charles Banks, COlOred, Sat
urday Night Last
HELD FOR ACTION OF
THE GRAND JURY

Robert Manuel, 45, a well-known
negro of this city, is incarcerated In
the county Jail, having been sent there
by Magistrate Marion Merrill for ac-
ton of the Grand Jury, on charge
of fatally shooting Charles Banks,
another negro, also well known here,
about the same age as his slayer.
Manuel was denied bail in the case.
The evidence produced at the cor
oner's inquest, appeared to rival that,
on Saturday evening, about $3.50
o'clock, Manuel went to the business
place of Banks in the negro section
at the north end of Pocomoke, and,
on entering, he made the remark that
either he or Banks must die that
night.
He then, in the presence of three
eye-witpesses drew a revolver and be-
gan emptying it in the body of Banks,
who fell and in a very short time, ex-
pired. The three witnesses were
Amanda Hall and Noah Wilson, OF
Stockton; and Charles Dixon, of Po-
CONTINUED on Page 81
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-12-30
COUNTY SHORT
OF ITS QUOTA
IN SEAL SALE
Raises A Total f $S29.59, Thus
Needing Over One Hun
dred, Seventy Dollars
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
SINCE ISSUE LAST WEEK

The final report of the Seal Sales
Campaign shows that the county con-
tributed $82959; thus failing to reach
it's quota of $1,000.
Since the previous report of the
campaign in these columns, Berlin has
donated 5000; Pocomoke, $25.57;
Snow Hill, $16.12; Stockton, $3.50;
Ocean City, $500; Newark, $500;
Bishop and Bishopville, $4.00; Girdle-
tree, $2.36.
The latest contributors from POGO
moke are as follows: Mrs. Herman
Scher, Mr.. M. G. Matthews, Mrs. An
ma G. Mcclure, Mr.. D. w. Shaw, Mr..
J. Reamy Shay, Mr.. Grover c. Tull,
Mr.. Robert III. Northam, The Crystal
Restaurant, Mr.. w. r. Howard, Mr..
George Bunting, Mr.. Raymond G..
Dryden, Mr.. Daniel H. Archer, Mr..
and Mrs. Lennie Parks, Miss Louise
Powell, Mrs. Annie K. Williams, Mr..
and Mrs. Verlin c. Krabill.
Those donating from Stockton are:
Mr.. and Mrs. Preston Hudson, Mrs.
Ida L. Bromley, Mr.. George w. Ar
cher, Mr.. David w. Hancock, Mr.. Will
liam E. Tull, Mr.. and Mrs. Francis M.
Rogers, Miss Mabel L. Jones.
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-12-30
=
from the
Democrats Pen

Well, Sir, here we are, right on the
fhreshold of another calendar year.
Hhis is the time when everybody
thinks the thing to say is, Happy
New Year!" Gosh! I wish sayin' it
would bring it to everybody. Wouldn't
fhis be a grand and glorious old
world? But, bless Peter, nobody says
R with any idea of fulfillment. Re-
minds me of the old lady who read in
the Bible that if she had faith, even
no much as might be represented by
the size of a mustard seed, it would
remove mountains.
Back of her house there happened to
be a mountain. She thought that if it
we're not there, the area it occupied
would make a grand garden plot. So
enc night, sha knelt and prayed to
Che Almighty that this mountain
might be removed. Next morning
Ghe gazed out her bedroom window,
and Old Man Mountain was still there.
70 prove her deep and abiding faith,
Ghe exclaimed "Just as I expected"
So when one greets you with "Hap-
~ New Yeor!" and the days come and
no, bringing with them horde of
devastating disappointments and leav-
ing hearts bowed down with woe, l
seem to hear the Happy" wishers
say: "Just as I expected"
Well, that's human nature to
large extent. A great many people
don't want to confess surprise at any
fhing. Surprise may indicate an ig-
nOrance no one wants to admit. So,
enc hears, "I told you so" or "That's
what knew, or "I thought as much"
or some similar remark, just to main
tain their seIf-respect. Not many peo
pie want to experience a failure in
Judgment.
Still, don't want to be understood
as insinuating that all people are ex-
pecting unhappiness when they greet
you with a passing "Happy New
Year!" want to be one of those who
attach some real sincerity to the
phrase; and, I'm telling you right
now, when you all experience unusual
Joy and happiness during the coming
twelve-month period I'm going to say:
TITS just as I expected"
Now, among the delights of living
In this good old city of ours might
wish you, among the rest, relief from
the night prowlings of worthless
but, hold on, I believe said I wasn't
going to say anything further about
dogs in this column. If it wasn't for
that resolution, I'd say I'd petition the
town Council to go into special ses-
sion and work out some law that
would curtail the liberty of these
night wandering, foraging, barking,
bowling, fighting CANNES. But, you
know, if I did, it would be like the old
woman and the mountain-the dogs
would still be here, "Just as I expect
edl" I reckon all that's left is to
grin and bear it. I'd say more about
this, but I've promised not to clutter
ep the column with dogging the pub
He.
Again, as heard good citizen of
Pocomoke once say, if had my
~druthers", I'd "druther" see some
little reduction in taxes than most
anything else I can think of. OF
course, there's an old saying which
hints at very severe blow to man
when you hit his pocket-book. Well
90 far as I am concerned, it isn't q
case of hitting my pocket book, it's
Continued on Page 81
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-12-30
Calendar Pads Ready

The Worcester Democrat has
a supply of 1889 Calendar pads
to be distributed to those al
ready supplied with the metal
calendar backs. If you have not
received your pad, call 236 and
we will deliver Immediately.
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-12-30

Miss Sarah Leah Scher spent the
holidays with her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. P. L. Scher. Mr.. Leonard Scher,
who is attending a business school in
Wilmington, is also home for the holi-
days.
Greenbelt cooperator. (Greenbelt, Md.) 1937-1954, 1938-10-27
MOTHERS CLUB

A large group Of mothers heard interesting
program given Thursday evening.
Mrs. II. Downs spoke the benefits Of a Mothers
Club; Mrs. Reed, school principal, spoke on what
the Modern School offers the Child". She pointed
out that the school must know and meet needs of
youth and must fit him to adapt himself to
and to par ii cipate in society.
The purpose Of the school curriculum, she told
US. establish normal mental atti tudes and to
consider physical welfare. Children must be happy
and feel free from fear. Mental tenseness is re-
lieved by removal Of competition. and progress is
made the child develops Individually and not as
compared wi tn the group.
In the acquisition Of skill, the tools read
ing, wri ting, and itletic and the motor skills
developed.
The modern school emphasizes oral expression and
to develop appreciation Of beauty as found
in art, music, and literature.
Mrs. Lester Hayes in her talk what the Modern
Parent Expects the School" pointed out that the
should teach the child to Think teach him to
study, instill in him desire for higher
and prepare him to cope with life's problems we
find them today.
Mrs. Albert brought out interesting facts about
music hone. She and her young son, Jimmie
tertained.
business session preceded the program.
Greenbelt cooperator. (Greenbelt, Md.) 1937-1954, 1938-10-27
by
Der tina Maryn

This column is going to digress somewhat from it's
topics to review book with a rather unusual
title "If Have Four Apples. A1tho fiction, the
book deals with specific problem the
struggles Of typical American family and their
successful attempts to balance their budget.
To begin with, there is Penter Hoe, the ather,
toiling but never rejoicing because all that he
makes into the house bought in better days. He
firmly believes it is un-Ameri can not one's
home a1tho he is slowly but surely losing his
because his income does not mortgages, inter-
estss taxes, repairs, etc.
give her children all that she missed in life, works
n a department store SIS @ week. Working
keeping house, Rose feels that she should have up
to date electric appliances and gadgets all bought
the installment plans to ease her work at home.
Her kitchen is therefore wellequipped and would be
both helpful and economical if the at
home avail herself of the equipment. Since
works. however, her meals quick affairs consist
ing mostly of fruit and vegetables steaks
and chops, she has little Of her super stove
her mammoth electric ice-box. amount Of logic
arithmetic will convince Rose that she would be
we'll off if she up her SIS week job. stay
ed at home; and made up the difference by cooking
inexpensive cuts Of meat and fresh vegetables in
and by fixing lunch for the children to take
to school instead Of giving them lunch money.
there is the Hanover fami ly who rent the at
ric from the Hoes. Their attempt to raise child
and keep ga week is story in itself.
So there they are. working earning money, paying
out money and being continually in debt. Like
many thousands Of other Americans the Hoe family
entirely of the fact that economic
structure Of the country is at fault. Besides be-
ing completely ob1ivious to economics they prac
tically in kindergarten when it to itetic,
insisting that and make g. 9,or anything ra Their
than 4.
Miss Lawrence thoroughly under stands the average
American with his Desires his petty aspirations to
keep up with the Joneses" and his gullibi1ity in
failing for" the salesman's talk and inevitably
signing the dotted line.
It's an entertaining book. book that could be
enjoyed by every member Of the family. book that
might go long way to make wary Of buying
credit things that our incomes can not include.
DANCING! CANES! FORTUNES! FUN!
The Better Buyers invite you to the School Audi
torus Monday evening, October 5lst 1850 O'Clock
for q roa1 ro1lioking time. Bring the childre in
their ha1 Lowe on costumes. The directors
OF the school have provided "tubs" Of them.
Please do wear your oldest clothes.
Free cider and dougfnuts for young and old
walkers Hill-Billy Boys will to it music
Evening star., 1938-12-16

Street flnancier Of impeccable past,
Coster stood revealed today as the
man who was:
Convicted of grand larceny Is
years ago in the collapse of the
million-dollar United States Hair
Co.
Convicted in Federal Court of
customs duty fraud, in 1909 fined
$1,000, sentenced to year in prison,
then pardoned by President Taft
after serving six months.
Arrested in 1920 on a charge of
perjury, growing out of notorious
murder case investigation, released
on bail, later discharged.
Hunt Missing $4,000, 900.
With these revelations to guide
them, investigators moved ahead to-
day In their attempts to discover
what happened to $18,000,O00 of
McKesson & Robbins assets which
their search has thus far failed to
disclose.
One opinion that the principal
motive for filing of false state
ments" in behalf of the firm was
the mulcting of the company by
certain persons of about $15O,OOO
annually as commissions on sales
which were never made" came from
Robert Kline. assistant general
counsel for the S. &c.
Failure of the United States Hair
Co. was great scandal Of 1918.
Philip Musica, then SO, was highly
respected as the son of a man who
had been dealing with the city's top
bankers for 80 years.
Suddenly, he was accused Of ne
gotiating 100000 to $5OO00O in
fraudulent bills of lading and
worthless drafts.
Investigators who sought 700 cases
OF human hair supposedly imported
by Musica found nothing but rub
bish" hair, and lead to add weight
to the packing cases.
Detectives learned Musica and his
family had fled, headed for Hon.
duras. They learned likewise that
banks both in this country and in
foreign countries had been duped
by fraudulent invoices of what was
generally estimated at more than
81 ,0O0, 900.
At New Orleans the detectives
found the Musicas on board ship.
Returned to New York, they were
indicted. Philip insisted he alone
was to blame. He pleaded guilty to
charge of grand larceny and was
given a suspended sentence.
Philip Musica was born in 1877 in
Naples, son of Antonio, the barber,
whose people were of peasant stock.
In 1S83-Philip then was 6-An-
tonic loaded his family into ships
steerage and came to New York.
On the teeming East Side he
opened barber shop. He prospered
Evening star., 1938-12-16

$4,000 in cash. A paid-up insur-
ance policy for $225 900 in Philips
name also was found.
Philip again pleaded IT am to
blame" He offered restitution, de-
clared the family had sought fight
only because they were "embar-
rassed" by failure of three large
hair firms in Europe, two in France
and one in England.
Philip pleaded guilty to grand
larceny, aided the district attorney
to clean up the case while he was
a. prisoner in the Tombs for three
years, and finally was discharged
with suspended sentence March
%, 1916.
Evening star., 1938-12-16

sent copies of his fingerprints to
Washington. Coster-Musica had a
third brother, George Musica, who
was II years his Junior.
That Coster might have been the
"angel" for the Spanish govern
ment ship, Mar Cantabrica, which
departed these shores about year
ago, ran into difficulties and was
finally sunk off the coast of Spain.
The Federal authorities are inves-
tigating this report.
That pre-dated birth certificates
bearing the names of F. Donald
Coster and George Dietrich were
filed simultaneously in Washing
ton on August 7, 1885. Both cer-
tificates bore the name of Adele
Wizard, midwife, name which
bears close resemblance to "Ver-
nard," the name Arthur Musica
used in his dealings with the Nc
Kesson & Robbins firm.
That Coster-M -Musica never attend
ed any of the meetings of McKes-
son & Robbins although he had
headed that firm since 1926 and has
been described by Julian F. Thomp-
son, treasurer, as its dominating
force in bringing sales to $14O 900 900
in 1929.
Hated Having Picture Made.
That he had strong aversion
to having his picture taken for
trade publications.
Department of Justice agents went
to Vernard- -Musica's home in Brook
lyn, and 20 police were dispatched
to the scene after the report was
received that an automobile was be-
ing loaded with trunks and luggage
there.
Coster's identity was learned from
comparison of his fingerprints
with those in a 25-year-old police
file.
Vernard's was learned after postal
inspectors dug up an old set of his
flngerprints for comparison with
those taken Wednesday when he was
arrested on charge of violation of
the Securities Act of 1884, the same
charge on which Coster- -Musica and
Dietrich were seized.
Arrested in 1888.
AS, Attorney General John j. Ben
nett, jr.'s investigation into the af-
fair progressed, police headquarters
disclosed that man named George
Vernard, giving the same address
as the man involved in the McKes-
son-Robbins case, was arrested on
a felonious assault charge in 1888.
The case was dismissed and Vernard
made application for the return of
his flngerprints and photographs.
Since there was no conviction they
were returned to him.
The Federal agents were at first
refused admittance to Vernard's
home today but he finally opened
the door and was taken into custody.
Assistant United States Attorney
Irving R. kaufman announced that
he had telephoned the Department
of Justice at Washington to get a
copy of the fingerprints of Dietrich.
Coster, or Musica, became head of
the McKesSon e. Robbins firm in
1926, made the business eminently
successful and was coasting along in
splendor and brilliance until his
Evening star., 1938-12-16

tan bank, asking loan Of $370 1000
on 216 cases of human hair. The
bank, however, advanced only $685.
600.
A clerk, glancing at the bills of
lading, discovered what appeared to
be tampering with the figures. De-
tectives found the boxes contained
only rubbish" hair and lead.
The beautiful home, they soon
discovered, contained virtually moth
ing. 1t had been stripped. The
Musicas had vanished.
The trail led to New Orleans. Ar
rested aboard a vessel headed for
Honduras, the Musicas were found
to have secreted on them nearly
Evening star., 1938-12-16

treasurer's suspicion that all was not
well in the crude drugs department
started quiet investigation which
brought the firm into Federal Court
a week ago with a petition for reor-
ganization.
With listed assets of $87 900 900, it
became increasingly evident through
State and Federal inquiries in the
last week that at least SIC, 8,000, 600 of
these assets were unaccounted for or
perhaps existent. But it was
not until Inspector John j. Dom
ovan reached the files of an old side
street police station that Coster's
real identity came to light.
New Career More Brilliant.
Coster's past was brilliant, but the
new career he had chosen for him.
self as a respectable corporation
head, widely known in Wall Street,
was even more brilliant.
In who's Who in America" he
gave himself American birth, in
Washington, D. c., new parents,
and the Heidelberg degrees of doc
tor of philosophy and doctor of
medicine. There was no hint that
he was the son of a Neapolitan
barber, who emigrated to the East
Side of New York.
Ihere was no suggestion in the
White-haired dignified man of quiet
manner and apparent cultural at
tainments that his name once was
anathema to the very bankers or
their sires with whom he associated
at the New York Bankers Club.
Musica, or Coster, had even made
himself younger by seven years.
AS the Federal Government and
the New York State government
proceeded apace with their investi<
cations today, there were mounting
conJectures as to what Coster had
done In the years just prior to 1926,
when his gracious manner and
beaming personality persuaded Con-
necticut bankers to back him with
Sl,0OO,0O0 to take over the McKesson
firm.
40, bCtWCCll lJlU WIlCu b
charge of subornation of perjury
growing out of a notorious murder
case investigation was dismissed
against him and the time when
he emerged as the ultra-respectable
head of Girard & Co., a Mount
Vernon IN. " drug manufacturing
concern.
Leads on Gun Running.
In Washington Brien Mcmahon
assistant attorney general, referring
to Coster's more recent activities
said that leads indicating that
Coster = had engaged in shipping
arms and munitions to bellgerent
countries in cases labeled milk of
magnesia are now being investigated
by the Department of Justice"
Stripped of his garb as Wall
Evening star., 1938-12-16

moderately, and began a small i'm
porting business.
Dealing chiefly in cheeses and
other foodstuffs demanded by the
fast-growing Little Italy," he lis
tened finally to the impatient, am
bilious voice Of his son Philip, who
had grown into sharp, shrewd lad,
and the business suddenly doomed.
Took Handsome Home.
The Musicas, including two broth
erss Arthur and George. and two sis
ters, Louise and Grace, moved to a
handsome home in the Bay Ridge
section of Brooklyn.
Philip moved in wealthy Italian
circles. Only the best places saw
him. He became a figure, man
about town.
Government investigators halted
the rising fortune in the spring of
1909. Customs weighers were ques-
toned. Investigators learned the
Musicas had escaped heavy duty
charges by bribing weighers to mark
down the weights on invoices for
cheese imports.
Philip and his father were charged
with fraud, but Philip dramatically
told the court the fault was his, that
his father was blameless.
He was sentenced to serve q year
in prison and to pay a 5000 fine
On October 20, 1909, he went to
Auburn State Prison, which then
received Federal prisoners. The
charge against his father was dis
missed.
In the spring Of 1910 a pardon
from President Taft opened the
prison doors, and Philip walked out,
free.
Began Importing Hair.
Again he urged his father into
business. this time in the importa-
ton OF hair, since high coiffures of
women boosted the price of false
hair often as much as $500 pound.
The United States Hair Co. was
formed. Fortune smiled again. An
even more imposing home was pur-
chased in an exclusive section of
Brooklyn, with stables and great,
sweeping lawn.
Once more Philip was the dash
ing man OF society. He affected
high heels to give him height and
topped his dressing with jewels.
Credit was extensive at the city's
banks. His company's stock sold on
the curb.
Then, in the spring of 1913, he ap-
peared in the Offices of a Manhat-.
Evening star., 1938-12-16
Is Million in Credits
Granted 10 Finance
Trade With China
Funds for Commercial
Goods Only, Head Of
Mission Says
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The Export Bank yester-
day granted China credits of $25,-
100000 to finance Chinese American
trade
Jesse H. Jones, chairman of the
Reconstruction Finance Corp, said
the funds will be used in connection
with expectation of American agri-
cultural and manufactured products
to China and importation of wood
oil, commonly called tung oil, from
China.
K. P. Chen, who described him
self as a representative of the
finance ministry of China, headed
a commission which conducted the
successful negotiations.
Following Chairman Jones an
nouncement, Mr.. Chen went to the
Treasury to thank Secretary Nor
genthau for the very sympathetic"
treatment accorded the mission.
All goods purchased, Mr.. Chen
said, will be strictly commercial"
He told reporters motor trucks and
gasoline would be major items, but
he said the trucks would be used for
non-military purposes only.
Asked whether shotguns or shot
gun shells might be purchased, Mr..
Chen replied:
mo sporting goods"
Evening star., 1938-12-16

there was no hint that he had come
from Italy at the age of 6, the son
of an immigrant Neapolitan barber
Of peasant stock, intent on gaining
some of the gold the New World
promised.
After the collapse of his fortunes
25 years ago and his trouble with
the police he vanished from sight,
although witness at Attorney Gen
eral John J. Bennett, jr's investiga-
ton today testified he knew him in
World War days as William john
son." an investigator for the at
torney generals Office specializing in
espionage activities.
Identification of Coster- -Musica as
special investigator during the
World War was made at the hear
ing in Attorney General Benefits
Office, presided over by his assistant,
Ambrose V. Mccall
Henry Unterweiser identified a
picture of Coster-M -MuSica as a man
who had worked with him in the
attorney generals S Office. Mr.. Inter
Weiser, Mr.. Mccall developed, was
the man who first suggested that
Coster was Johnson"
Appeared at Senate Hearing.
Mr.. Unterweiser said his memory
of the circumstances wasn't pre-
cisely clear, but he recalled that
johnson" appeared before a Senate
investigating committee in 1919 to
testify regarding alleged connections
William Randolph Hearst, the pub
Usher, had with Germany.
Another witness at the inquiry.
Elenora Lochper, who was Vernards S
secretary, testified that Vernards
wife's correspondence on file in his
Brooklyn office indicated he was also
known as Arthur Musica.
Assistant Attorney General Joseph
F. Ruggieri testified that his inves-
tigation of five Canadian ware
houses, where crude drug stocks of
McKesson & Robbins were sup
posedly stored, were merely so many
mailing addresses 1t was the sus-
picion of the treasurer, Mr.. Thomp-
son, that something was wrong in
this department that led him to in
vestigate privately and resulted
finally in his conclusion that the
listed assets of the firm included
$18,000,000 which probably did not
exist.
That led to the firms filing of
petition for reorganization under
the Chandler Act in Federal Court
last Thursday and the subsequent
Investigations by Federal and State
agencies.
The firm supposedly did business
with w. w. Smith & Co., an Eng
lish firm, and Manning & Co., it's
Canadian fiscal agents. Mr.. Thomp-
son testified two days ago that
Smith & Co. was paid $15O,O00 a
year in commissions, although ap-
parently no records of sales could be
shown.
Coster for at least a dozen years
had posed as Heidelberg graduate.
He had made the corporation en-
lnently successful, had manipulated
its merger with II wholesale drug
firms in the United States and had
coasted along in brilliance until Mr..
ThompSon's suspicious were verified.
! That Coster might have engaged
in the shipment of arms and am
munition to warning nations in cases
labeled Milk of Magnesia:' This
angle was under investigation by
the Department of Justice.
Prints Sent to Washington.
Federal authorities here, voicing
suspicion that George T. Dietrich,
assistant treasurer of the firm, might
be another of the Musica brothers.