New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-08
EX-MAYOR MEANS ARRESTED.
A VICTIM OF THE METROPOLITAN BANK
CHARGED WITH MrsAPPRoPRIATISG FUNDS OF THE
BANK OF WHICH HE Is PREsIDENr-RE-
LEASED UNDER $50, 900 BAIL
T. L. HARPER'S COMMENTS.


CINCINNATI, Feb. 7.-Another sensational feature
has been added to the Metropolitan Bank sus
pension 1t is the arrest of William Means, the
president Of the bank. The warrant was issued
this morning, but was not served in the usual
manner out Of re gard for Mr.. Means. District
Attorney Burnett informed him after IL o'clock
OF the Issuance Of the writ, and arranged for Mr.
Means to go voluntarily with his bondsmen to the
Commissioners office at 2 o'clock. With the FL
deity cases fresh in mind, and with the proof they
gave OF the relentless power Of the Government
where there has been plain transgresslon OF the
law, this arrest caused decided sensation. Mr.
Means has had leading position among business
wealthy; served term Mayer, when he was
elected, not by party vote, but by combination
wps SS%re m was t to their canddae %
office OF United States Commissioner Dorger with
Henry Hanna. May Fechheimer, Patrick f. Roach
and C. Nj. Holloway as sureties, md gave bond for
his appearance in the sum of 100000 The charge
against him in the warrant is the misappropriation
OF upwards of 5000, 900 Of the funds Of the bank
VIOLATIONS OF THE BANKING LAWS.
There Is fairly well authenticated statement
that the examination Of the banks books and
papers show gross violation Of the banking law
in loans to officers and others connected with the
bank largely in excess of the limit allowed by the
law to anyone. II is possible that this wrong
doing may have been carried to such an extent
as to imperil the banks solvencv At this time
IT IS not thought that other arrests will be made,
but of this no one can sneak with certainty because
there has not been time for thorough cXami-
nation OF the banks affairs.
The silence Of the tomb prevailed at the Met
ropolltan Bank this morning. H. is located in
new brown stone structure called the United
Banks Building and occupies the western half
at the southeast corner of Third and Walnut SIS.
wide vcstibule is used Jointly by il, and bv its
nelghbor in the eastern half of the building.
the Citizens National Bank. This vostihule. of
course. was opcncd this morning but the door
lgnb iut bo itnn
closed and placarded with the announcement that
the bank IS in the hands 9f tsn Controller Of the
States, National Bank examiner A few clerks
could be seen through the glass in the door, and
single watchman loungcd ut the door of the
sumptuous room Of the president. Small groups
Of people entered the vestibule and looked for a
moment on the vacated quarters Of the great bank.
All connected with the bank say this would not
the arrest Of the exvcc president 1t is trun that
that arrest moved the other banks to withdraw
their offers of assistance: hut it may be that the
Governments acted mcrcifully in dVcrting their
money from the Metropolitan for the charge made
I'm the warrant for Mr. DcCamp's arrest does not
necessarily cover all that may he in possession OF
the Government More serious charges than
certifying to false statement of the bank NAV be
brought TO the notice of the grand jury, which
will begin its session in day or two
Mr. DeCamp had no difficulty in procuring
bondsncn on his bond. which was placed at
500. 900, and he was not kept in custody except
while the bond was being prepared.
STATEMENT OF DIRECTOR.
Michael Ryan. one Of the directors Of the Metro
politan Bank attributes the failure to the weaken
ing influence of the increase of the capital He
said that Of the 100000 increase offered only
100000 sold. and the remainder was used
as collateral for loans thus becoming debt oI
the bank Moreover the stock was offered
too freely for sale, the directors Thought IL best
to keep up Its market value by 6ryimg ltant 1t ana
An evening paper publishes an interview with
f. L. Harper, in which he says ne knew last
summer that the banks stock was being used
as collateral on loans for the purpose OF specua-
tion in real estate He added that bank eX-
aminer who knew how to examine could have
discovered that then, In his opinion, nne,tenthts rs
Of the bankers Of the country could be put IN
prison to-day for technical violation OF the law
as he had been. ~,
missed for week to enable the Dlstrlct-Attorney
to prepare the Metropolitan case
The Indictment against w. II. Chatield, late
director in the Fidelity Bank was noIIed to-day
It was the same that against MI. foSue'
WASHINGTON, Feb. THE Controller of the
Currency is now considering the question OF ap-
nointing receiver to wind up the affairs Of the
Mctropolitan National Bank of Cincinnati SevcraI
names have already been suggested TO MN III tiao
direction, and an appointment VIZ prIono s Ge in
made in a Few days CAaniHer c"uhO'0i' - IA
charge Of the bank
At the United States National Bank, the New-forh
CORES pondent of the wrecked bank, 1t was sad tha
the indebtedness to the New-York bank was small
and f,lIv nrotected President Logan c. Murray
sbowed letter which he had sent to the National
hank examiner at Cincinnati. II stated the indeoteu
ness at ltle over 50 900 while the eIal scury
was over S35 900 Mr. Murray said that the security
was commercial paper In small amounts, ana tnat
thcrc was no possibility that his bank would lose any
thing by tho failure. The Cnc nnati Dahh hau s hos
kent large account, but IL had not recently askeo
fr accommodation and moi hing In the relations oi Ihe
two banks indicated that It was In serious dlihcu'y'
PROHIBITION THAT DOESN'T PROHIBIT