The herald., 1897-08-07
THE BLACKMAN MIDDLE
WHY PRESIDENT CLINE DOES
NOT WORRY
Efforts to Compromise the Case Fall
Through-Surety Company Must
Stand the Loss

Since the Incarceration of w. r. Black
man in the county Jail on two charges
of embezzling $500 and $50, respectively.
from the Los Angeles Electric company,
particulars of which are now well known
certain statements have appeared in
print which are not only incorrect, but
appear to have been inspired by de-
sire to give some free advertising to the
guaranty company that is on Black
mans bond. A strenuous endeavor is
made to show that the Electric company
not only caused the delinquents arrest,
but that it is determined to punish him
with the utmost rigor of the law. AT the
same time it is studiously stated that
the guaranty company's representative
A. P. Redding, did not come to Los An
geles on this business, but was just
passing through and stayed over day
to look into it in a casual sort of way
Just why these incorrect statements
should be so industriously circulated is
not quite clear at this writing, but it is
known that Mr.. Redding feels consid-
eraby sore over the manner in which
he has been, as he thinks. snubbed by
President Cline of the Electric COM
pany. 1t appears that when the defal-
cation was discovered. which was on
Friday, Mr.. Cline had already completed
arrangements to leave for a vacation
to be spent at Coronado, and that the
family's packing up was already done
Mr.. Cline having promptly notified the
guaranty company through its local
agent of the existence of defalcatior
on which it was liable to the extent
of $4,000, supposedly four times the
amount of the loss, and having put
couple of experts" to work on the books
and presided at meeting of the direcus
of his company at which new secretary
was appointed went off last Monday
morning on his well earned vacation
from which he may be summoned If his
presence is needed. There has been Nd
meeting Of the directors since his de-
parture, and it is known that the pres
dent and the members of the board feel
the liveliest compassion for the
family that has thus suddenly been made
to feel the disgrace that attaches to
the criminal acts of the man who should
have been it's shield and protector.
The Electric company having no fin
ancial loss to sustain has no cause to be
specially vindictive in the matter. The
complaint in the case had to be sworn
to by an officer of the company as soon
as the Pacific Surety company decided to
resort to criminal proceedings In the
absence of a private settlement the
Guaranty company will, naturally
enough, only pay on it's bond the amount
that has been actually embezzled; mere
mistakes in bookkeeping do not count.
Mr.. Redding was here several days
trying to force private settlement and
was much chagrned and annoyed to find
that he got no assistance from President
Cline, who was calmly enjoying the salt
breezes away from all business troubles,
conscious that the financial loss would
fall upon the bonding company or the
frienGs of the defaulter.
1t was finally agreed by Mr.. Redding
that he would accept Blackman's state
ment that the deficiency was about
$500, and certainly would not go over
$4,000, and Redding further agreed that
on the deposit of $4,000 cash to be put in
a bank in escrow by Blackman's friends
he would assume on the part of his COM
pany any further liability and would
refrain from pressing any criminal
gave matter of two hours for reply.
In this short time Blackman's friends
raised $4,000 cash and made an offer of
that amount in full which was refused;
upon which the offer was withdrawn and
the arrest followed.
The homestead was filed by Black
mans wife on the advice of her attorney
to protect the home, but she has always
been ready to surrender it, being all she
has, if the sacrifice would bring her hus
bands release and quittance.
The arrest of Blackman has disquiet-
ed the large staff Of the Electric com
pany and of the Lighting company.
Divers rumors are ii1 circulation int!-
mating that others besides Blackman
will have to stand investigation and if
there be any high rollers among them
they may be called upon to mend their
ways and reform altogether.
4&