The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-31
THAT SUGAR STEAL.
Mariscano Denies He Allowed the
Use of His Store.
Ke Says That leighton Placed His Sugar
There During His Absence From the
City Without Permission.

The account Of the operations of Leighton,
the Australian, and his dealings in the sugar
business, as published in The CALL OF yes
terday, created quite stir In commercial
circles. Leighton appears to have been
one Of the smoothest articles ever seen in
this city, and although all the parties inter-
rsted ia his dealings, at present known, are
very reticent on the subject, there is little
doubt that his frauds, and extensive ones
too have not been exclusively confined &c
saccharine merchandise. For in stance, it is
said that Leighton induced leading whisky
house to sell him several hundred gallons Of
that spirit, saying that he wanted some Of it
for the Palace Hotel. Contrary to the Gus
tom in the whisky trade, be insisted On
sending his own teams to fetch it away.
This action arousing SEINE slight suspicion
in the mind of the wholesale merchant, he
sent to the hotel and found that no whisky
had teen ordered at all Detectives were
thereupon laid on the track, and the bulk OF
tie whisky recovered. The matter Is at
present, however. shrouded in mystery, and,
as before stated, every person interested
seems TO be using his utmost eDdeavor to
prevent any further details OF the matter
becoming public. Vague hints are thrown
out here and there that there are quite
number of firms who have done business
with Leighton, and that there has been some
collision on a sort Of long firm principle.
A CALL reporter made further inyestlga-
ton into the case yesterday and the first
person he saw was i. Mariscano, the pTes-
dent Of the American Salt WORKS, and
owner Of a large cannery on Battery street.
1t was on his premises that Leighton stored
his sugar, and upon being asked as 10 his
version of the matter. he replied. 81 do not
think the newspapers have altogether given
me fair play. The published accounts seem
to insinuate that L have done business with
the man Leighton, whereas l never had
single transaction with him. He called upon
me some weeks ago anu said he had been
employed in the London Custom-house, and
lad started in business here as a general
broker.
LEIGHToN's BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE.
"He was very intelligent, and spoke Of
various subjects, displaying such an amount
Of general business knowledge that no one
could help being somewhat interested in his
conversation, although l never liked the
man he was too glib aud smart in bis man
ner to suit me. First Of all he wanted 10
sell me 200 boxes of tin plate, which he said
lie had on hand. / declined to buy. Then
he offered to buy a large quantity of canned
goods at 30 days, but told him | only dealt
spot cash. From time to time he called In
at my Office. but L never entertained any
business with him.
He gave me some useful information
about railroad ties, as l bad stated In his
presence / wished 10 purchase some, and he
offered to write, and believe did say he
had written to his brother in England on
the subject. The way he got his 800 bags of
sugar stored upon my premises was this:
Learning was away at the salt works UP at
Mount Eden, he telephoned the foreman at
my cannery on Battery street, saying that
/ lad given him permission to store sugar
there. Consequently, when the sugar was
delivered he allowed it to be placed there.
On my return the following day was per
fectly ast0nislied TO sec IL there. lie called
en me subsequently, and apologized for his
presumption, stating, however, that ne mad
Sold the sugar to Haas Bros, and hoped
wouie not charge him too much storage
rent The sugar was removed shortly alter
ward. and / thought no more OF the mat
fer, as Leighton never showed up again.
] knew nothing. further until last
Monday, when L. l.. g. Steele 81 CO. sent
me statement OF account with a demand
for S2o4o. i Immediately went and saw
him, when lie told me thai ] had sent a
broker 10 buy the sugar, that he had de-
liyeIed it, and sent me bill. l told him
knew nothing al the transaction and that
had never received any bill. have been 43
years ia this city in this h9s5 .ess, AMI have