New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-24
ZELL IS AN EMBEZZLER.
OFFICIALS ADMIT HIS STEALINGS.


HE TOOK MANY SMALL SUMS AMOUNTING TO
ABOUT so,0o-HAD LIVED EXTRAyAGANTLY.
Officers OF the Lehigh and WiIkesbarre Coal Com
pany, who. also, officials OF the Central Rail-
road OF New-Jersey. admitted yesterday that Will
lam T. Zell. the missing Of the coal COM
pany, was an embezzler They must have been
aware OF the fact Monday. when they said that
no proof OF Zells suspected dishonesty had been
found in the investigation OF his accounts which
was in progress. Their explanation yesterday OF
ZelIs sudden flight Friday also different
from that Which, given 10 newspaper men on
Monday One OF them said yesterday that Ieli
had fed only after he was made acquainted with
the intention OF the officials to make an invesga-
ton, which would be to discover his guilt
President Maxwell received anonymous letter
early last week saying that Ze was living In an
expensive manner, and squanderng money at
rate Inconsistent with his salary OF $4,000 year.
private detective directed to make an investi-
CATION. and his report confirmed In part the state
ment In the anonymous letter.
On Friday morning the letter was shown TO zen
and he was told that. while the officials had no
reason TO doubt his honesty. yet. in view OF the
statements made. II was necessary to have an ex-
animation Of his accounts. He appeared to be an
moved but said he would give all possible aid In
the examination It then learned that his cash
accounts had not been written up for period or
several weeks. He set to work on the accounts,
with the aid OF assistant and the work was
continued during the forenoon OF Friday. Shortly
after noon he left the Office saying that he was
going to get some luncheon. and would be back IN
half an hour. lie was there again. In the
afternoon he sent a message to his assistant say
ing that he obliged to visit his PHYSICIAN ana
would be at the Office late In :he afternoon ana
would continue the work the cash accounts late
at night. The assistant waited at the once Tor
long time expecting that Zell might appear, but
II has been learned since that he had already LETT
the city.
Mr.. Maxwell said yesterday that it had been
estimated that the amount OF the treasurers oe-
falcation would not exceed $4,000.
Zell had left the safe In his office locked ano 10
he was the only person who knew the combination.
the safe could not be opened in his absence except
by force 1t necessary to call experts 10 the
Office on Monday night TO drill holes IN the door
OF the SAFE and open It, The work OF breaking into
the safe was continued by the experts several hours
Yesterday According to the books. the safe should
contain cash and securities amounting to several
thousand dollars
lie HANDLED LARGE SUMS OF MONEY.
NJ. Williams, the second vice-president and con-
troler Of the company. said yesterday that Zeli
had been stealing money from the cash drawer.
Zell ha ndled large sums Of money for the company
every month Checks to the amount OF N,cVo"
passed through his hands every few weeks he
drew checks to pay the bills Of the company and the
EXPENSE accounts were audited by him. 1t was pos
sble for him to draw check for $500 or nooo for
some alleged disbursement for the company and
put into his own pocket the greater part OF the
sum without being detected. Mr.. Williams SAID that
the coal company was protected by a bond to the
amount OF 81. 900 furnished by the Fidelity and
Casualty Company Of No. lag Broadway.
Zell was made the treasurer OF the coal company
about three years ago. after the death OF s. r.
Lang He had been Mr.. Langs assistant In the Of
flee Zen was made the executor OF Langs estate.
Mr. Williams had heard repor bs tha y r nad Vest
Forty-eehth-st.. but he said ne knew almost nothing
suspicion that Mrs Ze knew OF her husbands dis
honesty. ~ c,. ,.
vss,e ,% IL was said by Mr. Nada the company
attorney. that private detectives had been sent In
away from the city. and that Zelrs capture was
expected in a day or two
that he had been betting on the races recklessly.
and had lost heavily at poker Last summer. when
the woman from West Forty-eight-st were 1t
Larchmont.
THE CLUB EAs LOST NOTHING
The disappea rance OF Zel and his reported defal.
cations were the sole topic Of conversation at the
New-York Athletic Club last night Everybody ex-
messed surprise at the news and many refused to
believe that their old clubmate had done any
wrong
A special meeting OF the Board Of Governors Of
the club will be held tonight, to elect another
treasurer In place of Ze. This move Is impera-
tive one at present Is authorized to pay bills
No one In particular was mentioned last night a:
likely to he Ze's successor. although the general
opinion seemed TO be that one OF the present Board
OF Governors would receive the appointment. Frank
a DugrO who against Zeli on the opposition
ticket at the recent election has not been mem
toned in connection with the Office. and he may
not BE- waiaSn o Watson Gibson banker. and
brokers: D. Searles president Of the Farmers
Loan and Trust Company. and George Massey, OF
Ianman g. Kemp were the committee appointed
to look into the affairs Of the club They examined
the club made Its deposits. and they reported that
the club has not lost cent through Zell
He driving with a young lady)-l never tsy -
do more than thing at time
She-Then let me drive. Mr.. Squeezeman.-(Brook.
Ign Life.