The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-24
lie LOST IN A BAD GAMBLE.
When His Money Gave Out He
Used the Funds.
CONFESSED AND GAVE SECURITY.
ENHANCEMENT With Louis Lander
in Speculations Drove Him to
Take Desperate Chances.

Louis Blank, the secretary of the order
of B'nai Birth. mas been caught in a
gIaung defalcation in his accounts, and
great IS the indiknation in consequence of
his breach of trust.
To the Grand Lodge. it is said. he owed
$4,000; but there are stories around the
lodges TO the effect that the secretary's
total shortage reaches nearer ten times
that amount
The discovery was made six months
ago, and after an investigation by trus-
tees If the Grand Lodge omissions in en-
tries to the amount of $13. 500 were dis
covered. Blank confessed 10 having APP
propriated the money to his own uses
when involved with Louis Lander in
building Speculations and building and
loan societies. He was gwen an Oppor-
tUnity to secure the defalcations with
mortgages and real estate urlties, and
with that the matter was hushed up, the
trustees deeming it best 10 allow Blank To
rettin his position while paying back the
money taken.
The investigation was made by Samuel
Nj. SchOcken, member of the board of
trustees. who found that only $500 was in
bank ia the SocietY's funds, while Secre-
tary Blanks books showed that the
treasurer should have had $4,000 in hand.
The balance was easily traced, and so
directly that Blank saw there was nothing
left but open confession and an offer of
restitution. Blank had also extenuatng
reasons to offer for his action. Only two
years ago he considered himself worth $780,
600. bot by unfortunate speculatiOns and
duplicity of his associate, Lander, in bust
ness affairs, every dollar 0f il slipped
through his finger. Values of houses aud
lands deprecated, Landler's extravagant
management and other causes made the
money melt away. Blank caught at straws,
hoping vainly to come Oul with profit. His
lastffady dollar was gone aud his affairs
deuNAd ed still more cash to avert imme-
dlate disaster and, as iG were, 10 raise the
stakes once more with a chance of win
ming. Meanwhile Blank placed confidence
in LANDER, believing they would eventu-
ally get through the crisis safely, although
ignoran of his partners reckless IN eth DDS.
1t was when these conditions faced him
that Blank misappropriated money in
tended for charitable purposes by the
OIder OF B'nsi Birth. No doubt he i'm
agined that the money would never be
missed. and he could pay it back when he
had some return for his expenditures.
And the deeper he became involved the
more he took. AS matters stand with nim
now he has not dollar to spare.
Blank denied last night that he is de-
faulter. II am a ruined man." he said,
land all through Louis Lander, about
whom the papers have been full since he
failed. l lad $4,000 eighteen months ago
and now l haven't a dollar"
Emil GunZburger, who was trustee of
the B'nai Birth Hall Association, said
that Blanks defalcations had been fully
secured in May, and since then the securi
ties have Increased $1,000. ''I am sorry for
Blank" said be. 81 have known him for
many years. He has been fourteen years
secretary of the order. During my Ella
tions with him l always found him correct
10 his accounts. The fact is he was caught
with Lander, and went in deeper and
deeper until! be got beyond his depth,
Then he must have fallen back on the
Bnai Birth funds. l believe this is
part of a scheme to ruin Blanks chances
in the January election OF grand officers of
the order. All this was known by these
men. who exposed il, fully six months ago.
Why did they wait until now? Everything
Is secured, and so the only native couId be
To get him out OF the grand secretary's
Office"
Blank was secretary OF eight or nine
associations or societies. outside of his
office in the B'nai Birth, ana from these
ne received an aggregate salary of $500 a
month. Ii is claimed his accounts in the
various societies are not all correct. and
that more sensational developments are
expected.