Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-06-09
KEYSTONE BANK.
John Wanamaker Tells His Re.
lations Herewith.
A DENIAL OF PUBLISHED CHARGES.

The Connection of the Postmaster Cen
erals Firm with the Bank Only That
of DePositor-What He Knows of Bards-
ley's Operations-Story of a Deal in
Reading Stock in Which He Was Vic
timized by the Robbers to the Extent of
100000.
PHILADELPHIA. June 9-Postmaster
General Wanamaker appeared yesterday
before the subcommittee OF councils that
Is investigating the affairs of ex-City
Treasurer Bardsley. The knowledge that
he would appear gave additional interest
TO the proceedings. Mr.. Wanamaker was
accompanied by his son and brother. Mr..
Wanamaker had roll of manuscript in
his hand, and stated that he had prepared
and proposed TO read statement in an
swer to all the allegations which have con-
nected his name with the keystone bank,
and give complete account of his trans
actions with that institution. Before he
began his reading Mr. Wanamaker ex-
pressed hope that the committee would
ask him any question they desired The
reading and subsequent questioning oc-
cupIed an hour. during which time Mr..
Wanamaker remained standing. When
he had finished many persons stepped for
ward and shook his hand.
The Firms Relations with the Bank.
Mr.. Wanamaker began by stating that
he was connected with the bank only as a
depositor; he had never had any official
connection Herewith at all. His firm had
an account with the bank, the aggregate
Of the deposits during November and De
cember, 1870 and January. February and
March of this year, amounting to 81. 363,-
coo. All of this was checked out, with the
exception of very small balance 1t had
been charged that Mr.. Wansmaker's &C
count had been overdrawn. but this was
not true. The firm gradually reduced its
deposits after the December run. and
when the bank closed il had very little to
its credit. His position did not give him
any advantage in learning the real situa-
ton about the bank. and the reduction OF
the deposits was only due to the exercise
OF ordinary business prudence.
First knowledge of the Robbery.
He never knew until after the December
run that John {. Lucas, the president OF
the Keystone bank. who died in August.
l>Ss, had robbed she institution Of SgqS.
90 The firm had obtained up to Febru-
AIRY. 1890. from the bank. discounts
amounting to $4,000; all on single-name
paper At that time President Marsh
asked them for 5000 of their paper, not
for the Keystone bank. as they understood
II, but for country banks or other of the
banks correspondents. The request was
complied with, and for these loans per
cent interest was paid.
Obtained Under False Pretences-
They subsequently learned that none Of
the paper went TO any country bank He
denied that he ever interfered 10 influence
the comptroller of the currency TO keep
the bank open or TO appoint receiver
He had nothing to do with the action of
his brother in going bail for Marsh;
neither had he ever any business transac-
ton with City Treasurer Bardsley. There
Is little doubt that this $4,000 advanced
by Marsh personally was portion OF the
state funds which City Treasurer Bards
ley gave TO Marsh 10 place for him