, 1891-09-06
VERY SMALL BUSINESS.
Russell H~arrison's Attempt to
Injure a Bank.
Displeased Because He Was
Refused a Loan.
Exciting Chase LITTER a Sneak
Thief in New York.

New YORK, Sept. 5.-Edward S.
Lacey, comptroller, came from Washing
ton last Saturday and was at the sub
treasury today. Few persons knew he
was in to Sn and not until today was tho
purpose of his visit made known. 1t had
to do with the Western National bank
and brought out a curious story about
Russell B. Harrison, son of the president
of the United States. This story dates
back a few months. Young Mr.. Harrison
wanted to borrow money and he called on
Gen. Louis Fitzgerald, president of the
Mercantile Trust company, in the Equit
able building. He offered Gen. Fitzgerald
certain collateral, consisting partly of
Western railroad securities, for the loan
he wanted. The general looked over the
securities aud decided not to make the
loan. This did not please young Mr..
Harrison. Two DAYS later he called again
on President Fitzgerald, and they had a
conversation, part of which was like this:
Mr.. Harrisou-You are a director in
the Western National bank, general?
Gen. Nuzgerald-Yes.
MIR. Harrison-Don't you know that
the Western National bank is issuing
silver certificates contrary to law2
Gen. Fitzgerald-I am only a director
in the bank, and [ can not speak for the
bank.
Mr.. Harrison-Well, all | can say to
you is that the bank would not be per-
mitted to do it if attention we're called to
the fact.
MIR. Harrison did not obtain the loan
from the Mercantile Trust company.
How he came to know that the Western
Nationals silver certificate business was n
matter which the comptroller OF the cur
rency had at that time under considera-
ton no one knows. 1t was learned today
that in February last the comptroller be-
gan an investigation Of a charge hat the
Western National was issuing silver GER
uhcates contrary to the provisions Of the
banking act. This act forbids any national
bank from guaranteeing the transactions
OF anv outside corporation or of any indi.
vidual. 1t can guarantee its own trans
actions only. The complaint against the
bank was IN effect that it was issuing sill.
yer certificates against bullion which was
deposited in the vaults of the Mercan
tile Safe Deposit company, also in the
Equitable building. SO secretly has
the investigation been conducted
that the particulars did not
come out until today. The people who
made the charge to the comptroller in
sisted that the bank was guaranteeing the
payment of these silver certificates when
it had no control over the bullion against
which the certificates had been issued.
The defense was while the bullion was de-
posted in the vaults OF the Mercantile
Safe Deposit company. these vaults were
leased nv the bank and we're in charge of
the banks employees. The safe deposit
company also has a representative in tho
vaults, but no bullion is delivered
nto or taken out except in the
presence OF representatives of the
bank as well as of the safe deposit
company. Tho safe deposit company
takes half of the profit tor the storage OF
the bullion. and that is all the interest it
has in the bullion. The bank people, it
was found today, knew of the visit of
Russell Harrison to Gen. Fitzgerald.
They did not wish to speak OF it, but it
was evident from their attitude hat they
we're not afraid Of young Mr.. Harrison.