The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-08

his course subsequently proved. This was
not objected to, and had he confined him
self to taking interest alone he might have
escaped expulsion from the order by the
| Grand Council four weeks ago.
Chase first gained unenviable notoriety
while serving as an official in Court Wash
ington. He became chief ranger, and in
the ordinary discharge of his duties he
was called upon to sign warrants in pay
ment of sick benefits.
"This was all right" said prominent
Forester yesterday, 'but one day Chase
conceived the idea of getting sick himself
and drawing some of the benefits. He
caused a report to be made that he was
sick, but inasmuch as he was seen daily on
the streets engaged in the prosecution of
his business, there was some objection
against allowing him the usual benefits.
Chase oyercame these objections somehow,
and, as chief ranger, ordered the payment
Of the benefits to himself. Subsequently
the court gave ball, the proceeds of which
were paid to Chase and his son. The
money was never given to the court, and
when he found that his course was creating
a bitter feeling against himself he took a
clearance card and joined Court Enter
prise"
The tactics adopted by Chase in Court
ployed IN Court Washington. He had
number of friends in the court who assisted
him IN carrying every measure he saw fit
to champion. He became chief ranger,
and Immediately fell sick again, though,
strangely enough, he was not incapaci-
tated from attending to his building bust
ness. Through his operations, according
to the statement of Grand Secretary Fal-
coner, the treasury of the court was ex-
hausted, leaving that organization on the
verge Of bankruptcy.
"It was proved said William Cushman.
an officer of the Grand Council, that Chase
had appropriated initiation fees of many
members, and that he had awarded bene-
fits to himself in an illegal manner.
Charges were filed against Chase before the
board of arbitration, but before they could
be tried he joined the American Order OF
Foresters. Subsequently the charges
against him were sustained, and while it
was certain that the Chases, father and
son, had embezzled| money belonging to
the order they were found guilty of illegal
award of sick benefits and expelled from
the order"
As a member of Paragon Circle, Com
panions of the Forest, Chase seems to have
been shining light. 1t is charged by Miss
Nelson, the financial secretary of the cir
Gle, that he appropriated the funds of the
circle to his own use. and when things
were becoming too warm for comfort he
seeded from the circle with large per-
centage of its members and established the
Village Bellies Circle.
Miss Emily Mohr, the ex-financial secre-
tary of Paragon Circle, followed Chase and
took with her $14 so belonging to the cir
Gle. This she subsequently turned over to
Chase, who represented himself to be her
bondsman, and when her successor, Miss
Nelson, demanded its return, Miss Mohr
referred her to Chase. The matter resulted
in the arrest of Miss Mohr for embezzle-
ment, but on examination before Judge
Joachimsen on Tuesday the matter was
dismissed. .
The feeling among the local Foresters
against Chase is very bitter, and threats
are being made to have him arrested. The
members of Court Enterprise especially
are indignant, and it is likely they will
prosecute him criminally. Chase defies
them, saying they cannot iniure an inno-
cent man.