Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-23


Anton Karl disbursing officer of the topo-
graphical division of the geological survey,
was arrested last evening at his home, 1880 18th
street, charged with the embezzlement of pub
lie money. In going over his accounts, Mr..
John d. McChesney, the chief disbursing officer
Of the geological survey, discovered discrep-
ancy of some 1865. 1t was found that he had
drawn money to disburse, and then instead Of
using the funds to pay the men he gave them
checks. ThisSystem of double checking was
discovered as soon as a rigid investigation was
made Mr.. McChesney, when he learned of
the condition Of Mr.. KarIs accounts, notified
Maj. Powell, the chief of the survey.
KARLs ExpLASATIoN.
Mr.. Karl was called upon for an explanation
and he said that he was aware that there was
an error in his accounts and he intended to
straighten it out. 1t was decided to place him
under arrest and last evening Detectives Horne
and Mahon went to his house and conducted
him to the 18th street station house. Mr..
George Gibson, who, with George A. Shehan
and Edwin Mcleod, are sureties on his bond of
$40, 900, was notified of Mr. Karls arrest. But
he was unwilling to become his surety for his
appearance in court and Mr.. Karl spent the
night in the station house. This morning his
counsel Mr.. Campbell Darlington. appeared in
the Police Court and asked that bail be fixed at
$4,000, which request was granted.
HIS LONG PERIOD OF SERVICE.
As soon as the investigation of the books is
finished the case will be called for a hearing.
Mr.. Karl h a native of Wurtemburg Germany,
and is comparatively Young man. He has
been in the employ of the government for some
twenty-one years. By profession he is topo-
graphical engineer and was connected with the
survey in that capacity. Since 1881 he has been
disbursing officer of the Typographical division
and his duties consisted mainly in paying the
accounts of parties in the field He is said to
be man of good habits and correct life. His
friends are not inclined to believe that he has
been dishonest. The theory is that he has been
careless and has frittered away the money in
daily expenditures 1t is thought that the ir-
Irregularities extend over period OF about a
year.
WHAT MR.. KARL SAID THIS MORNING.
While waiting at the Police Court this morn
ing for bondsman Mr.. Karl was permitted to
remain in the office of Deputy Marshal Nc
Caffrey instead of being placed in a cell with a
dozen or more prisoners
When seen by STAR reporter he denied that
ment money. when the books have been
carefully examined" he said, land the ac-
counts Strengthened out no shortage will be
found There is great deal of work in con-
nection with the Office and the work is of an
extremely complicated nature. / had the pay
ment of men from Maine to Florida and from
New York to Kansas, and in the distribution Of
500. 900 there were fully 900 vouchers FIRE.
quently in 500 payments there would be a
dozen or more vouchers, some of them for as
small sum as cents II had noticed that
there was some mistake in the accounts, but
had been unable to find the error. If the err
ror cannot be found am ready to make good
the discrepancy"
Mr. Karl said that he frequently had as
much as ten or fifteen thousand dollars in his
possession.