The times., 1898-08-11
THE MONEY LENDERS SIDE.
HornfnG Sends to the Commission
ers q Lengthy Statement.

THE MONEY LENDERS SIDE.
Hornfng Sends to the Commissions
ers q Lengthy Statement.
The disclosures which were recently
made by the District Commissioners after
an extensive Investigation covering a Pc
riod of several months relative to the
lending of money to members of the 10
cal fire department at usurious rate
of interest by alleged 10-per centers may
develop into an interesting and lively
controversy.
George D. Horning, a well-known note
broker, whom 1t is charged by many
members of the fire department, loaned
them money at rates of interest varying
from 10 to 40 per cent per month, yester-
day addressed the Commissioners a
lengthy letter stating nis position in the
matter. The letter is as as follows:
'on August /, 1885, there were sent to
Chief Paris. of the fire department.
short copies of the following judgments:
One for $40. against William E. Robinson
foreman; one for s66. against the same
man, and one for s21, against Frank Wag-
ner, assistant foreman, and w. I. Will
Jams. private.
1.-THE $40 judgment against Foreman
Robinson was for a watch and chain sold
to him by Smith & North, dealers in
jewelry. of New York City, through their
agent here. Marie !. Horning. The judg-
ment for s66 against Foreman Robinson
was for money loaned him by Mrs. Cath
crime Banville. The Judgment for s21
against Messrs. Wagner and Williams.
was upon note held by Mrs Banville.
made by Wagner and indorsed by Will
Jams. These judgments were rendered
only after vigorous contest by the de-
PENDANTS.
THE attention of the fire department
was called to the existence of the judg-
ments, and it was asked that they be re-
Quired to pay them, 1t being understood
to be rule of that department that its
members would be required to pay their
debts
In yesterdays newspapers published in
this city. there appeared articles, one of
which was headed 'Fleeced by a Usurer,
which stated. among other things that
Commissioner Wight had received a let
ter from one Joseph 4. Long charging
me with lending money at usurious rates
or interest to the members of the Fire
referred this letter to Chief Paris for in
Vesugation; that Chief Paris began an
investigation with the result that he as
certained that thirty-four members OF his
department Were in the clutches of the
ten percenter in question paying from
ten TO forty per cent per month for sums
OF money borrowed, ranging from S. 10
500; that for the purpose of securing
an explanation as to the method employ
cd nv nn
dressed a letter 10 the men against whom
| judgments had been secured, asking for
report upon the matter; that these let
| ters were referred TO their attorney. Ed
| ward G.. Niles. who wrote that the money
! lender referred to had in his clutches a
! geater part of the ignorant and unbusi-
| ness like men of the Fire Department.
and, he was told, of the Police Depart
] ment; that this report of the attorney
was forwarded to Commissioner Wight
! who wrote the following Endorsement up
on 1t:
From the evidence submitted in this
case, Ii appears that these men have been
| paying usurious interest and that they
| nave paid more than the amount borrow
| ed, and they are. therefore clearly ex.
einpt from further payment, and no fur
| ther action need be taken by the depart
| ment regarding these bills
| The newspaper articles then went or
TO say that in regard to the other mer
sun paying usurious interest to the
| money lender, Commissioner Wight haf
! ordered tina; the men be notified that I,
they have already paid as interest. tht
amount of their notes. they need not nav
anything on the notes themselves as tht
| Ia" recognizes such payment as ar
equivalent TO the money borrowed.
| whether the action of Comn1issione,
! wight, as above set forth refers to the
| three judgments called TO the attention al
the Fire Department, l do not know. fol
the attorneys who sent the judgment tc
Chlet Paris for attention, and who were
assured by him that they would receive
altehuon' nave received no reply from
| him.
1T scarcely seems possible, however
that Commissioner Wight would have
made such a sweeping decision in thes,
cases, without giving the holders OF tht
| Judgments an opportunity to show they
/ were fairly rendered. If he did so. n,
| based his decision upon the ex partt
statements of the debtors themselves. Mr.
Long and Mr.. Niles. AS to the weight
| TO be attached to the statements of debt
| ors, seeking 10 avoid the payment OF
! their debts, and in the face of judgment.
/ against them, nothing need be said. 81
J far as Mr.. Long is concerned, he is con
! fessedly friend of one or more of tn,
4 debtors. His statements are simply falls,
/ from beginning 10 end. With respect I,
| Mr.. Niles, l need only call attention L
the fact that he appeared as the attorne,
for the debtors In the suits in which tn,
judgments were rendered against them
| and made a vigorous, although unsuccess
| full, defense. His statements are simpl,
evidence of the fact that he has not We
abandoned his efforts in his clients be
half, to aid them in escaping the pay
ment of their obligations.
Il repeat that il seems impossible t.
believe that Commissioner Wight coult
have rendered a decision in these case
upon such testimony. The motives of tn
| persons giving it are too apparent TO re
! quire comment. and a decision based upol
| il would be worse than worthless.
with respect to myself and tn
charges against me given newspaper pub
licity through your office. l can only sa,
they are false, and ask that l may hav
an opportunity 10 show it. It would seen
to me that the spirit of fairness. witt
which the members of the Board of Com
miSSsoners of this District are undoubted
ly actuated, would dictate that befor
such charges against the humblest citi
zen are made public or acted upon. h
should be given what he is undoubtedl,
entitled to, an opportunity to refute them
Ny method of conducting my business
a money and note broker. for which
have received a license from the Distric
authorities, received the official sanction