The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-03
BARDSLEY'S METHODS.
The Affairs Of PhiIadeIphia'S EX-City Treas
uTHf Under Investigation.

PHILADELPHIA, June 2.-The City Coun-
ciPs commission, inves tigating the methods
Of ex-City Treasurer BIrdsley, continued
the inquiry this afternoon, the Keystone
Bank doings being under inspection. Drew
stated that there were 2515 shares of So
called bogus stock. 1t was stock that should
have been Cancelled, and is not, technically,
OYerisSued stock. 1t was mainly IN the
name of John c. Lucas. None OF IL was
ever in the name of John Wanamaker, and
witness did not think he was ever stock
holder, nor was William III. Wanamaker, as
far as he could recOllect.
MIR. Alexander counsel for ex-Treasurer
Bardsley, cross examined Drew very
sharply Drew said he had made semi-an-
nual examinations of the Keystone Bank
for the past ten years. he was not pre-
pared to say that it was not indebted to the
amount of 100000 or $500, 900 to other
banks during the past three or four years.
Do you ever remember, before Lucas
died" said Alexander, "Of having once
called upon the keystone Bank week too
sOOn?"
81 don't remember" replied Drew.
Did you not come to Philadelphia once
to examine the bank. and then defer the
examination for week?'
No. sir"
AT the close of Drew's examination Coun-
Gilman Elting offered resolution that the
Mayor write to President Harrison, asking
him to order an investigation OF the conduct
of the Treasury Department in connection
with the Keystone Bank affair, ordering
the production of all accounts of the
bank and the appearance of Comptroller
Of the Currency Lacey before the
committee. Eiting made a vigorous
! speech in defense of the motion. He said
| if the banking law was to be acted upon
and construed as in the Keystone case,
| there VIII he little protection Tor any de-
! p0SitOrs. "By The confession of Marsh in
January the Treasury Department became
aware OF the KeyStOne'S rOttennesS,
yet it was ninety days thereafter
that the bank was allowed to remain
| open, and the city and citizens
of Philadelphia invited to deposit their
money. Some people, who had every OPP
pOrlunlty 70 know the story of the rotten
bank, had every chance to get out. while the
| people who could not know the story had
every chance to get In. 1t Is the most extra
ordinary action on the part OF the General
Government / ever heard of. ] am not
going to say whether Examiner Drew
or Comptroller Lacey was responsible,
but between them the bank was kept open
after the fraud was known officially. Every
obstacle has been thrown in our way. We
can look at the Treasurer's accounts, but we
want to look at others, and ind out what
! other men were doing in those ninety days
after the frauds were known, and while the
/ city OF Philadelphia was holding her millions
I In tne Dank.
| One other member of the committee voted
| with Etling and four against him, so the
matter was dropped for the present, but it
| is expected to be revived shortly,
Paying Teller Thomas of the Keystone
Bank said that another emplOye and him
self were kent very busy running between
the Keystone and Spring Garden banks
with cash 10 prepare for the visits Of the
Examiner. An Important point in Thomas
testimony was to the effect that during his
six years connection with the Keystone
Examiner Drew dropped in about twice a
week.
President Singerly of the Chestnut-street
Bank said BaTdsley was not paid any inter-
est on what city money he had in the bank
He had no money on deposit on State ac-
count.
Tie latest sensational outcome of the
bank matters is that the validity of the Clear
ing-house agreement between the national
banks Is shortly 10 be tested In the United
States courts,