The morning call., 1891-07-16
NEARLY A MILLION,
Money MiSappropriated by EX-
Treasurer Bardsley.
Report Of The Experts Handed 10 the
Mayor Of Philadelphia.
Public Funds Handed Over to the Keystone
Balk-StOek SpeCulatiOns, Re-
bates and Interest.
Ereeial TO THE MORNING CALI

PHILADELPHIA, July 15-The experts
appointed 10 investigate the accounts of ex-
City Treasurer Bardsley made detailed
report TO the Mayor to-day. 1t shows a
total balance due the State and city of
81, 594, SOL. Against this is credited deposits
in various banks to May 3oth last of $919,-
673; Keystone due-bills, 1926, 600. and Key
stone Bank checks paid by Bardsley in ex-
cess of the City Fund account, S196, 0i3,
leaving total net deficiency in Bardsley's
accounts of S553,S35. In addition TO this
deficiency the INTEREST," which Bardsley re-
ceived from various banks, firms and in
dividuals, together with the dividends on
stock and securities in which he invested
with public money, amounting to at least
S225, GOO Ould be added. making grand
total of money msappropriat-d Of S77S.S35.
As TO the credit of 1925, ,000 represented by
the Keystone due bills, the experts find
more or less evidence Of payments made
from time to time by Bardsley TO the Presi-
dent of the bank, which may make up this
amount.
The due bills are irregularly numbered
and dated, and this in connection with the
bills in Bardsley's desk, creates a suspicion
as to their genuineness. Whether they are
genuine or not, cannot be determined until
the experts gain free access to the books
of the bank. Even assuming them to be
genuine, they do not represent deposits
made in good faith by Bardsley as public
officer. Public money to which he had no
title was taken by him and handed over to
the Keystone Bank or its Pres ident, for no
legitimate hut annarRutlv fDr
sonal advantage and to obtain higher rate
OF interest than he received at other depoS-
itoreS.
Bardsley's private memorandum book
shows that he was paid by the Keystone
Bank $1,000 each month, commencing in
January. 1889, and continuing regularly to
September, 1890. making total of S21 ,0G0
This sum was regularly paid in addition to
the interest which he received on State
money, and appears to represent per cent
on limit of 100000 of the city deposit
One entry shows the receipt of $500 for The
use of 100000 from December - TO
December 81, 1889, at S25 per day." The
total amount of interest paid to Bardsley
in 1899 and 1890 by this bank aloue was
S76,S27. Thus these due-bIlls represent
loans personally made to the bank Of pub
lie funds i'll violation of law.
The experts say number of stubs In the
check-b0uk of Bardsley's account in the
Keyst Bank have been torn out. They
have, however, found checks bearing corre-
spending numbers, all except one being
drawn by Bardsley to cash ''0r bearer" or
ito the order of myself" On the stub of
one check is this entry in Bardsley's hand
writing: "Willam Livsey, State Treas
urer, for his kindness to me during the
year. $500" On page showing rebates
| received from newspapers in which adver-
tising was done in 1889. amounting to
S16,2S9. appears these entries: LESS
amount paid to II. n. Graffin, $1,000. One
half 10 Thomas MeCamant, S7l44 so; one
half to j. b.. S7I44 go" In 1890 and 1891
the newspaper rebates were deposited 10
the credit of BarIsley.
The interest received by Bardsley from
the banks and by him converted to his own
private use during 1889, 1890 and 1881 aggre
gated 500, 493. Thomas MeCamant, mem
toned in Bardsley 'scheck above, is Auditor
General of Pennsylvania. A further state
ment of Bardsley's specuatiOns shows that
he invested S1,116,693 in the stock market
Upon this total of speculation he made losses
aggregating S170,569 and gains Of Sis, ,654, a
net loss of S51, 935, which might as well be
increased By 100000 of Baltimore traction
bonds, which Bardsley gave to Marsh to
help the Keystone Bank ont of one of its
temporary predicaments."
That part Of the report showing the divis-
ion of spoils with ex-State Treasurer Lv-
sey and Auditor-General McCamant, as
noted above, creates much interest. In the
same connection there is another remarka-
ble item, as follows: " May l3, 1899. Fl. FItz-
gerald, item. in place 0i getting mercantile
appraisers list to publish, $1,000"