Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-25
INVESTIGATING BAEDsLEy.s ACTS.
Bank Officials ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Pub
lishers Who Gave Rebate on Ads

hsuerp w no NsaSe tSeDatr on AIS.
Those who anticipated a sensational session
OF the Bardsley investigating committee yester-
day afternoon in Philadelphia were rather dis
appointed. 1t was known that the officials OF
several banks who had paid interest TO the con-
Wet treasurer had been subpenaed, and it was
expected that Gov. Pattison also would be on
hand. 4 list of twenty-six witnesses had been
subpGnaed. but many Of them did not testify.
and those who did adopted the plan Of Post
master General wanamaker and appeared with
written statements which cleared them OF any
criminal connection with Dardsley and his az
fairs.
As soon as the committee hid been called to
order Chairman Van 0sten read a letter from
District Attorney Graham asking him and his
colleagues 10 refrain from examining the bank
officials who had been summoned 10 be present.
as II might interfere with investigation he is
making and be preiudic.ai 10 their trial If they
were brought into court
The district attorney backed up his request
oy stating that the report OF the experts showed
conciusiveiy which banks had paid interest on
state ana city MONEYS
After some opposition from Mr.. Hicks and
the consequent discussion the suggestion OF
the district attorney was adopted and the bank
Officers excused for the present from testi-
flying.
william ii. Kern and John s. Hopkins. presi-
lent and cashier OF the Peoples Bank; samuel
W. Bell and Henry c. Stroup. president and
cashier OF the Farmers and Mechanics National
Bank. and Il. I. Bromfeld and II. ii. Paul who
occupied similar positions with the Seventh
National Bank.
When this matter had been disposed OF Mr..
Hicks asked If Gov. Pattison had beeI.sub-
pnnaed TO be present.
The serFeant-at-arms explained that he had
not and Chairman Van Osten said that re-
quest had been sent TO the governor TO be pres
ent, as he was not amenablc TO a subpGna. He
had not responded, however. as lac was too &C.
lively engaged in official business.
Further. discussion was put an end TO by At
tornoy General lfonsel, who. after introducing
himself, said lie was there on behalf OF the
governor. He was with Mr.. pattiSon at Mount
Gretna last night, but up 10 that time that
official had not received the communication of
the committee, but even if he had he could not
appear today. as he commander-in-chief of
the state militia was engaged In reviewing the
encamr nent at Mount Gretna. However. the
attorney general stated that the governor would
appear at any time the committee would desig-
nate without subpoena or other notice and fully
explain all tine transactions OF the Chestnut
street National Bank while he was ATS president
prior TO his election as governor.
BARDsLEY's E!G PROFIT.
VIM. II. kemble was the first witness called.
and he was asked to explain his stock transac-
ton with Bardsley. The witness had a written
statement prepared. in which lac said he bought
Philadelphia Traction. West Chicago. North
Chicago and Baltimore Traction stocks for the
cx-treasurer. Thee purchases amounted in all
to about 5000 shares. and were carried for
Bardsley by the Peoples Bank These loans
were paid by Bardsley in 1880, and Mr.. kem-
BILE said he believed that it was done with
Bardsieys own money, as he had an average
profit of as per cent on his purchases. He be-
licved Bardsley to be thoroughly honest. after
business acquaintance of twenty years, and
loaned him the money to buy stocks out OF
friendship.
REBATES FROM NEWSPAPERS.
Auditor General Thomas J. McCamant was
the next witness and stated that as his counsel
was in Europe he had prepared statement to
justify himself. but would decline 10 answer
any details until the return of his lawyer in
September. Mr.. McCamant denied receiving
the sl6, 5S3. % the experts report credited him
with having gotten as half of the rebates from
advertising of the mercantile appraisers list.
He told which papers they had been advertised
IN each year and said that they were decided on
by Bardsley and himself. Capt. III. VI. Graf
ton. now dead, had charge of the rest of the
affair.
. In reply to questions the auditor general said
that he had reason TO believe a rebate was paid
debts had to be paid by the newspapers who
got these advertisements.
Grafton also told him, he said, that the news
papers which did not get the advertisements
were taken care Of by those which did.
After Mr. McCaman: had left the witness
stand Mr.. Etting stated that he had document
airy evidence against him. upon which he pro.
posed to examine him, but had been advised
not to do SO by both District Attorney Graham
and City Solicitor Warwick. lie had therefore
decided not TO make public the contents of
these documents. as it was against the wishes
of the officials. who would have TO proceed
against the auditor general if such a course
was adopted
William L. Elkins. the Traction magnate.
said that he had had no transactions with
Bardsley, but he and T. A. b. Widener had sold
some North Chicago, which they were carving
for friend, and he thought that the ex-rreas-
urer had bought it.
WOULDN'T BE BLUTFKD.
When J. S. Singer. the assistant cashier of
the Fourth Street National Bank. was called the
testimony took an unexpected turn. In re-
Spouse to the question as TO whether he knew
Marsh and what conversation he had had with
him relative to the Keystone Banks failure.
Singer testified that he met Marsh two or three
days after the closing of the bank. Witness
asked what the prospects OF resumption were
and the missing president said that everything
Nsih iie 4Adu tIltu every 10 Keep
the Keystone open without success. I'm other
words. Marsh said to me, Il have tried to bluff
Wanamaker. but it would not work. wanted
him to use his influence to have the bank kept
open. but he would not be bluffed.'
Singer said that he did not know what Marsh
meant at the time, but has since learned that
he referred to the overissue of stock the Post
master General held.
WHAT PUBLISHERS PAID.
Several newspaper publishers were then sum-
moned to tell what rebates they had paid
They all said the sum was 40 per cent except
Joseph Morwitz of the German Democrat. who
said he gave 65 per cent. Those who admitted
paying the rebate were Clayton McMichael of
the North American, Il. j. Cook Of the Press.
W. f. McCulley of the Bulletin, and James FL
version of the Inquirer.
Each witness said that before his death they
had paid the rebates to Capt. Grafton. but de-
clined to say who had collected il since then.
None of them knew whether or not Bardsley or
McCamant had received any of it. although no
representative Of either of them had called TO
get the commission or make arrangements for
printing the lists. 1t has been done by q man
who does not hold any office since Grafton