The San Francisco call., 1895-12-15

of animals at the home and the purchases
for the Pound by +. A. Osborn since April
Is, 1898, at which time he was made Pound
master. He also alleges that there are
Deputy Poundkeepers on the force who
were ordered discharged by the board of
directors many months ago. Deputy Hal
lett is one of the men referred. to. Under
a separate head the ex-superintendent
makes direct charge of perjury and falsi-
tication of the report for the month of
January of the present year. The charges,
as presented TO the Grand Jury, read as
follows:
First-Charges that the said F. A Osborn did
cause said report to be made falsely.
Second-He. T. A. Osborn, wrongfully took q
certain sum of money from the Society for the
Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals and turned
it over to the Treasurer OF the City and County
of San Francisco.
Third-He committed perjury in swearing
falsely to said report.
sit needs but an examination of the
Pound books to prove all this, and much
more" said Mr.. Fleming yesterday. HE.
Osborn was extremely anxious to make a
good impression on the Supervisors, and
saw no other way of doing it than by
diverting the society's money into the
City Treasury. He hoped to make them
believe that the.Animals' Home was a
source of revenue. During the month of
January twelve head of stock were sold at
the Pound. The major portion of this
brought only few dollars a head, and in
some instances but few cents was offered.
''When the impounding fees are consid-
cred, it is preposterous to think for mo-
ment that the City was entitled to any
thing like $3.50. which is the amount
turned over by Osborn for the month OF
January. This money was made up from
the stock advertised at So head during
the preceding twelve months.
The report was doctored to fit the case.
and Mr.. Osborn Immediately commended
by the Supervisors as a most excellent
Poundmaster. Every charge that l make
is a matter of record at the Pound, and ii
Mr.. Osborn was the right kind of man he
would demand an investigation instead OF
bringing political influence to bear to pre-
vent it. There are othe matters con
nected with his stewardship of the Pound
which are at least open to criticism ii moth
ing more.
about eighteen months ago it was
brought to the attention of ex-Poundmas-
ter Partridge, then director, that all was
not as it should be at the Animals Home.
This information, | understand, came from
the City expert. | know that Osborn, as
sisted by Deputy Wells came down to the
Pound and worked very hard on the books
for a week or ten days. Mr.. Partrld &c
knows all about it and | refer you to him
for further information on the subject"
II have forgotten the exact time" Mr..
Partridge said yesterday. when asked
about the matter, "but as near as l can
recollect, it was between eighteen months
and two years ago when l accidentally
met the City expert on the street. He
asked me if l was taking a lively interest in
the Animals Home, and if so, he thought
there were certain matters which should
be investigated. To put it plainly, he told
me that in his opinion the cash account
was not as it should be.
IAN investigation was accordingly made
by the society's expert, Mr.. Wadham, and
a big shortage brought to light. 1t seems
that for some months Mr.. Osborn had been
collecting from the City the money due
the Animals Home. The books of the in
stitution showed that this money had
been received, but the bank book itself
gave no evidence Of it's existence. Mr..
Osborn was promptly notified of the condi-
tion of affairs. He was also told to make
good the shortage. which amounted to
about $500. He promised to dc this, but
1t was several days before the money was
actually deposited in the bank to the
credit of the society"