Evening star., 1897-05-01
TR EA S U r Err MARTIN
Additional Rumors About the Former Co.
lumbian Univsrsiy Official.
The Trustees Are Reticent-Indov-
ment Fund Said to he
Involved.

For the past two or three weeks -umors
that have almost taken the shape of posi-
tive assertions have been in circulation to
the effect that Mr.. Robert H. Martin the
former financial agent, secretary and treas
urer Of the Columbian University, was a
defaulter to q greater extent than was ad-
mitted when he relinquished the positions
named on that account In March last. 1t
will be remembered that President Whit
man of the Columbian University, en- the
evening of March 16, 1897, made public an
nouncement of the fact that Mr.. Martin g
resignation had been called for, to take ef-
feet March 81, and that the reason for this
was his confession to shortage of 81 $40
in his accounts
The announcement was also made that
the entire amount Of the shortage had been
covered, so that the university would lose
nothing. the facts being that Mr.. Mar
tins bondsmen had made good the de-
Hnquency in his accounts. No prosecution
followed. 1t was believed at the time that
the amount stated covered the extent of
Mr. Martins shortage, but it is asserted
with much Dositiveness now that it has
been discovered that he had also diverted
to his own personal uses a large sum of
money, alleged to be between $4,000 and
$50, O,O00 belonging to the endowment fund
of the university.
President Whitman Rcticent.
A Star reporter called on President B.
l.. Whitman of the university today and
Informed him of the character of the pre-
vailing gossip. President Whitman, with
out denying or affirming any of the al
legged statements, said that If the board of
trustees decided to make any statement
on the subject that it would be given to
the newspapers Immediately when made.
pr0cf Ii
porter that he was dealing with hypo-
thetical question " hen he spoke about the
action OF the trustees and was extremely
reticent on the entire subject. 1t can be
positively stated, nevertheless, that the
bcard OF trustees are considering the prep
aration Of a statement concerning the new
developments in the financial relations of
Mr.. Martin with the university.
Other members of the board of trustees,
while in no manner denying the assertions
regarding the discovery of an increase in
the amount of Mr. Martins shortage, pre-
served the same reticence shown by Presi-
dent Whitman, bat also spoke of forth
coming statement when the proper time
came.
Possible Proseeution.
1t is declared with. much emphasis by
persons who seem to be in a position to
know what they are talking about that If
Mr.. Martin or his friends do not make good
the alleged additional shortage in his ac-
counts, If such is found to exist, that he
will be prosecuted to the fullest extent Of
the law.
Mr.. Martin had been the financial agent.
secretary and treasurer for five and one
half years preceding his resignation. He
received salary of 5000 year. He was
fond of good living, and particularly par
tial to fast horses. Until shortly before his
resignation from the university, which was
compelled by the discovery of his shortage,
ne mad also been the treasurer of the First
Baplist Church, and handled the funds for
the building of the new structure al the
corner of 10th and o streets. His accounts
M IA 'His connection were audited regularly,
and found, it is said, to be all right.