The San Francisco call., 1896-07-24
CUNNINGHAM SHORT
IN HIS ACCOUNTS.
University of California
Out Several Hundred
Dollars.
VETERINARY FINANCES.
The Accused Man Was Formerly
Secretary of the New
School.
MADE MANY FAIR PROMISES.
Treasurer Egan Swears to a Com.
plant Charging Misdemeanor
EmbeZzlement.
MADE MANY FAIR PROMISES.

There is intense excitement among the
faculty and students OF the veterinary de-
partment, University of California, over
an alleged shortage of the former secre-
tary, Professor j. Auchlie Cunningham.
Yesterday the affair reached a climax,
when Dr.'Egan, treasurer of the veter-
mary school, swore to complaint in
Judge Conlan's court charging Cunning
ham with misdemeanor embezzlement.
The former secretary is directly accused
of making way with the sum of $22, but
the actual shortage is said to be anywhere
from $3.50 to $500.
The trouble is one of long standing, but
did not reach an earlier head because OF
the leniency of several members of the
faculty. The veterinary department of the
University of California was organized
about two years ago, by the present fac
ulty, it being necessary at the time tor
each member TO put up something like $50
in order to make the institution a financial
success. DR.. Steers was the first secretary,
and at the end of twelve months was sue
ceeded by Professor Cunningham. For a
time everything moved along smoothly,
and then suddenly dark spot appeared
on the secretary's record.
On Novem ber %, 1895, Cunningham was
given a check for SOS 60 with which to pay
sundry bil lis, including one of so from H.
S. Crocker & Co., printers. A few weeks
after this a second bill came from
the printing firm and the secretary
was called on for an explanation. He as
sured the faculty that the matter had
escaped his attention, but that he would
attend to it at once. Two months after
this third dun came from Crocker & Co.,
AZ; = Ht,rn "a aaid ha nd
paid it and consequently there was mis-
take somewhere.
In the meantime other matters of an
unpleasant character came to the surface,
and last May when the annual election of
officers occurred, Cunningham was dis
placed and DR.. Steers elected in his stead.
A few days later it was discovered that
the erstwhile secretary was about $3.50
behind in his accounts. The matter was
called to his attention and he promised to
right things in few days. It seems that
he did eventually pay $3.50 and then en-
deavored to offset matters by presenting a
bill against the college.
Cunningham claimed among other
things that he had entertained the stud
ents at various times at his house. the gas
| bill and breakage of instruments alone
| amounting to about $50, He was informed
| by the faculty that if he would produce
| the bills for the amount claimed the same
would be placed to his credit. The bills
were not forthcoming and the indebted
ness was consequently not decreased.
| Then Cunningham made numerous
promises to liquidate, but somehow failed
| to do so. Finally the faculty grew tired
of waiting. and yesterday DR.. Egan, a:
| its representative, swore to the complaint
above referred to. Cunningham known
shortage, including the Crocker bill, i.
$212, but it is thought by some member.
-. 4A4ra L.
bills unpaid, which will make this amount
| $500 or more.
DIR. Egan declined to talk about the af
fair last night, though he admitted tina
the facts recited above are correct. II,
said, however, that he had sworn to tn,
complaint first because the faculty had re
ouested il, and second the institution be
| ing still in its infancy could i'll afford t
sustain such loss as was contemplated il
| the shortage of ex-Secretary Cunningham