The times., 1898-10-28
GRAND BANK RECEIVER.
j. Frank Aidrich Occupies n Free
Office in the Treasury.


Office in the Treasury
A letter-heading, printed in characters
of brightest carmine, by an ordinary rub
ber hand stamp, announces that j. Frank
Aldrich, national bank receiver, former
member of Congress from Chicago and
standing candidate for u foreign mission,
occupies, rent free, room No. 46, on the
first floor of the United States Treasury
Department building.
Mr.. Aldrich, not being bona fide en-
pioye OF that department, may not have
the right to such occupancy. but he has
influence, and that is often more potent
than right.
Room No. 46 is a quiet, sequestered lit
tie apartment at the west end of the CEN
tral hallway. There Is no slgnboard nor
placard over the doorway to announce
that 1t is occupied by professional bank
receiver or anyone else, in fact, but an
obliging clerk at a desk inside Is always
ready and willing to supply the informa-
ton when called upon. Some Treasury
officials state that It is unusual TO have
an outsider installed in an official apart
ment in the most exclusive of Govern
ment departments. Others declare that
such proceeding is not only unusual
but unheard of, and contrary to prece-
dent. Still. National Bank Receiver AL
drich is there by the grace of some one
high in authority.
]. Frank Aldrich is receiver for the Key
stone National Bank, of Philadelphia, and
about nineteen other national banks. He
is not the only bank receiver, for the
Treasury records show there are about
200 others. But he is the only one who
enjoys the distinction of whatever bene-
fits may accrue from occupying an office
room under the roof of Uncle Sans great
money establishment.
When one of Receiver Aldrich's official
friends was asked by what right he occu-
pied the Treasury room he replied that
when the trusts of the defunct banks
reached a certain stage is was thought
best to concentrate them in the Treas
ury building. He did not furnish dia-
gram with this explanation. and 1t can
therefore be taken for what It is worth.
Mr.. Aldrich receives no salary from the
Government. He is paid from the trust
funds of the failed banks. The keystone
Bank failed in 1891, but it is not known
when its affairs reached the Treasury &C.
cupancy stage.
Receiver Aldrich received his first taste
of official life in Washington when he
served two terms as Representative in
Congress from Illinois, his district being
in Chicago. He next appeared as a cam
didate for the position of consul general
at Havana to succeed Gen. Fitzhugh Lee,
but matters. were in such a critical state
there at the time of his candidacy that
the President declined to swap horses
while crossing the stream" and Gen. Lee
remained in Cuba.
Aldrich again cast about for diplo-
matte opening, and concluded that he
would like to go to Brussels as envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary
to Belgium But Senator Foraker had
already bespoken that place for his friend,
Bellamy Storer. of Ohio. former Assistant
Secretary of State. Mr.. Foraker won and
Bellamy was appointed.
While Mr.. Aldrich was still casting
about for berth Mr.. Dawes succeeded
Mr.. Eckels as comptroller of the eur
rency. Comptroller Dawes being a great
friend of Aldrich, quickly made him high
grand receiver of defunct national banks,
it is alleged, with twenty of them to look
after.
He also gave his friend. ]. Frank Aid
rich, free room in the Treasury build
ing, it is said. and provided him with such
facilities as are necessary to the proper
conduct of the office.
In the meantime the Treasury building
is badly overcrowded, and Secretary
Gage is paying much money for outside
rooms for his legitimate employees.