Evening star., 1942-08-19
Tip on Bahr Given
By State Department,
.FBI Agent Reveals
81 500 Found Hidden
In Accused Spy's Cigar
Box, Jury Is Told

fS II Associated PreSS.
NEWARK, N. j., Aug. 19.-The
Government today neared compile
ton of its espionage conspiracy case
against Herbert Karl Friedrich
Bahr, after disclosing that its tip
on the defendant was furnished
through the report of an American
State Department official in Switzer-
land
The actual report was barred
from evidence on the grounds that
certain parts of it we're prejudicial.
Judge William F. Smith said, how
ever, that the report listed "suspi-
cions" of Bahr, former Buffalo
IN. " resident who became an
American through naturalization of
his father.
George P. billiard, Federal Bureau
of Investigation agent, testified
that he questioned Bahr upon in
formation from the State Depart
ment that he (Bahr) had been
apprehended by the Swiss police for
illegal entry into that country"
Asked if he had been approached
with a proposition to become
courier or an espionage agent"
Bahr said he had not, Mr.. billiard
testified.
A syory by Bahr of the execution
OF an associate in Germany and of
his own escape into Switzerland
while being shot at was related by
H. M. Carlblom. another FBI agent.
Escape Story Called False.
The Government has branded the
escape story fake to obtain for
Bahr the status of refugee and to
facilitate his re-entry into the
United States.
Bahr said he had worked for a
German plant manufacturing bomb
parts, for another plant producing
airplane parts and had collaborated
on research confidential from the
point Of view of Germany" Mr..
Carlblom said. The FBI agent said
Bahr also told him he had sold blue
prints to two men, one identified as
Mr.. Damon, for $1,000 in American
money, and that he had been told
Damon later was executed and his
wife banished.
Bah: declared the men who
bough. the blueprints were Jews, Mr..
Carbon added.
The story of the discovery of a
$1,000 bill and $500 bill, both
American currency, hidden in a
cigar box, was outlined by witnesses.
Customs Agent Found Money.
John r. Carey, customs inspector,
who uncovered the money, related
how, when not satisfied by a pre-
liminary interview, he cut away the
label in the top of cigar box in
Bahr's suitcase and found the bills.
The box, with part of the paper
lining of the lid cut away to show
the two bills pasted underneath, was
offered in evidence.
Mr.. Carey said a further search
of Bahr's belongings, his stateroom
on the diplomatic exchange liner
Drottningholm, and of Bahr him.
self failed to disclose anything else
"of interest to the Government"
Bahr declared 1854 and a sum Of
Portuguese money to the customs,
Mr.. Carey said.
The customs inspector testified
that when he asked Bahr what he
did with $1,000 obtained from the
sale Of blueprints, Bahr replied,
IT had a good time in Portugal
women and gambling. The money
just went"
Bahr's Wife Subpoenaed.
Mr.. Carey also said Bahr told
him some of the money was used
to brioe Gestapo agents.
Ashley j. Nicholas, inspector OF
the Board of Review of Passports,
said Bahr had told him he received
$500 for the sale in Switzerland
of a secret design for a steam tur-
bine.
In Buffalo, N. Y, Mrs. Ruth Neeb
Bahr, the defendants wife, said she
had been subpoenaed to appear as
a defense witness and had been told
she must answer the subpoena"
She said she had not seen Bahr
in four years.
Bahr is charged with conspiring
with eight men in six countries
including Germany-to forward to
Germany vital information on the
American war effort.