The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-08
FOSTERS DEBT STATEMENT.
Seriously PuzzIins Experienced Bankers and
FinanClerS.
KEY TO HIS METHOD GREATLY DESIRED
An Inrenious Device to Deceive the Public.
Officials Holding Back River and har-
Dor Reports-Capital Notes.

WASHINGTON. July 7.-[Special. l-Secretary
Foster is back, and lie is fairly besieged by
persons desiring key to his new method OF
making treasury statements. Bankers and
fnauciers of long experience confess that tue
new statement is puzzle to them, and most
of them agree that it was ingeniously devised
10 confuse tho public rs TO the
financial standing Of the Treasury
There is considerable ill-nature mani
tested here in financial centres. and firms
and commercial organizations al over the
country depend upon their correspondents IN
Washington for the first Interpretation OF the
debt statement I he information as to the
status OF the Treasury IS promptly telegrapheu
from here TO every section OF the Union. IL
turns cut that the new method was 50 great \
puzzle that scarcely any two correspondents
arrived at the same conclusion.
The experienced fnanciers Of the press as
socations. who have had years OF experiences
in handling the debt statement and IN trans
hitting promptly its showing OF National
finances we're unable TO cope with the enigma
OF Secretary Foster. 1t IS evident: however
that the Secretary intends to stick 10 MS
puzzling figures.
HOLDING BACK REPORTS.
For some reason not yet explained the War
Department officials are holding back the re-
ports of river and harbor engineers. IL has
been the custom for years TO give OUT these
reports as soon as feceived. For the hrst
time newspaper men are denied access 10
them As the report OF Captain tleDiger III
regard % Norfolk has been received IHE ZINES
correspondent made an earnest effort to get
hold of it Major Adams, who has 1t IN
charge said he had orders not to permit any
nerson TO see it until so directed by General
oh af nf admitted
he could not see any reason for making an e1-
ceptIon this year to the general custom.
and added: You know | have no discretion
in the matter"
Your correspondent next called upon Gen
eral Casey and asked permission to see the re-
port.
mo" he replied rather bluntly, none of
these reports will be made public except by
order of the Secretary of War. No, shall
not communicate with him on the subject un,
til his return, ! can't tell you when he VIII
return. The Secretary doesn't like TO be asked
about his goings and comings. did ask MN
when he would be back, and he replied that
he intended to stay away as long as possible"
Casey added that he had talk with Assist
ant Secretary Grant on the subject. and he
ordered that none OF the reports be MADE
public until the return of Secretary Proctor.
Your correspondent next visited Assistant
Secretary Grant, Who without belhg IN
marked that the latter conferred with hin
Yesterday in regard TO the river and haroor
reports. General Casey stated to me, con-
tinued the Assistant Secretary, that the
reports would not be ready for publication
short of two weeks, and suggested that they
be reserved for at least that length of TIME
This would indicate that it is General Casey
who is Withholding the reports
CAPITAL NOTES.
Comptroller Lacey of the Treasury is nom
commirAl concerning the Keystone Bank
scandal except lie warmly youches for Post
master General Wanamaker's innocence. He
does not venture 10 detail the grounds tol his
confidence. but readily assures al inQulrers
that Mr. Wanamaker's relations with the
bank we're entirely honest and honorable
James s. POsten was to-day appointed post
master at Elkins, Va, 10 succeed ). W; Pet
tet. removed. In pursuance Of complaints
an Inspector was sent 20 investigate and he re-
ported that Pettet neglected his business. On
this report he was removed.
Among the patents issued for the past week
we're the following: Virginia. Abner b. Crowell,
Richmond, lifting jack; James L. Hall, Bed
sord City, rein-holder.