Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-28
F r 0 N TR US T F y I'd S
If Mr.: Kieckhoefes Embezzled 1t Was
From Foreign Powers.
He Pleads Not Guilty to the Charge
and Ha. Thu. Far Been unanl.
30 Secure Bail.

1t seems more than likely that Francis
]. Kieckhoefer. late disbursing officer of
the State Department, who was placed I'M
der arrest Sunday morning, charged with
embezzling $4,000 of government funds.
VIII spend tonight IN the District jail. I'M
less the amount of bail, $4,000, is mate
rally reduced this afternoon.
Mr. kieckhoefer has been in custody at
the nrst precinct police station since his
arrest. ana 1t was expected that he would
give pail in the required sum at any mo-
Hhent- four days passed, however without
ACTON in the direction indicated. There
tofe assistant District Attorney Mullowny
TINS morning directed that Mr.. Keckoefer
% taken to the Police Court. When the
case was called Mr.. Mullowny moved
Judge Miller that time be fixed for a
hearing.
Pleads Not Guilty.
Through his attorney, Mr.. Ferguson.
MI kieckhoefer then entered a plea of
not guilty to the charge and waived a pre-
l1minary examination. This action takes
the case to the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict of Columbia. and Mr. FERGUSON an
hounced that at o'clock this afternoon he
would apply to the Judge Of one Of the
Sr ~, courts for q reduction of bail.
me motion will be opposed by Assistant
instruct Attorney Armes
A1ler the proceedings in the Police Court
tnls morning Mr.. Kieckhoefer, in charge
OF deputy Marshal Mccormick. and aca
companied by Mr.. Ferguson. entered a
carriage. and tine party proceeded to the
city hall. Unless bali is furnished todav
Mr.. Kieckhoefer will be taken to Jail la tie
this afternoon
The defense Of Mr.. kieckhoefer will prob
ably be that the United States is without
authority in proceeding against him. He
uenles emphatically that he has been in
any any. WISE dishonest, but. he states. admit
ing Tor the sake of the argument that
money Is missing. the entire amount Is
from the trust fund, as Mr. Keckhoefer
declares himself as certain that the funds
OF the State Department. appropriated by
congress, will be found correct as they
Not Liable.
He argues that the trust fund is made up
OF money placed In the keeping of the
disbursing officer Of the State Department
by foreign powers to be held for the in
divfduais entitled thereto. Now, Mr.. HECK
hoefer claims, he was not in the employ
or such persons. and therefore, even If he
uiu appropriate from the fund for his pri-
sate Uses. he cannot be prosecuted for EN-
pezzlenent and adds that in any event the
on that charge. Mr.. kieckhoefer cites the
ruling Of Judge of q New York court in
support or his contention that although
a government official and bonded officer
charge made against him. On the other
hand. however the officials Of the district
attorneys office state that they entertain
no doubt THAI Mr.. Kieckhoefer will be
promptly convicted.
Will Resist Reduced Bail.
District Attorney Birney stated to Star
reporter this afternoon that lie will stoutly
resist the motion to reduce Mr. Kieckhoe-
fer's bail. The amount fixed In the Police
Court $4,000 is small enough. he thinks.
when the amount alleged to have been en-
bezzled something like sl27,0OU) Is taken
into consideration. The court Judge Cole
might think the amount OF bail excessive,
but he does not, and ne will, therefore, in
sist that the accused furnish that amount.
MIR. Biiney said that his Office is busily
at work examining Mr.. Kieckhoefer's &C
count and that he will probably be pre-
pared to submit the case to the grand jury
early next month";
Bail Reduced.
Judge Cole this AFTERNOON reduced the
bail required to $4,000. and 1t is expected
the amount will be furnished