ORGANIZED INCENDIARISM.
A STARTLING state of affairs has been revealed in New York by the testimony of the principal witness for the people in the trial for arson of Max H. Grauer, an insurance agent and adjuster. He is charged with being a party to the burning of 178 Canal street last October.
Mrs. Sarah Silbermeister, who was convicted of setting fire to the place, was sentenced to twenty-five years’ imprisonment two weeks ago, and Louis Rothman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to fifteen years in State Prison. The place burned was a clothing store owned by Louis Weinberg. Policeman Charles Lenz and former Assistant Fire Marshal Frank have been charged by Fire Marshal Mitchell with being in collusion with the firebugs. The witness whose testimony caused the sensation is Simon Rosenbaum, and it appears from his testimony that he has been connected with various gangs of firebugs, and was at the head of the gang which frequently extended its operation to Long Island and towns in New Jersey, and occasionally to Boston,* Lynn, and Worcester, Mass. He has become a witness for the people and has given to Fire Marshal Mitchell a vast amount of information, which has resulted in the conviction of Mrs. Sarah Silbermeister, Mrs. Ida Lieberman, and Louis Rothman.
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