The herald., 1898-07-31
N0NfW DEVELOPMENTS
CUSSEN STAYS WITH HIS STORY.
BANKS DEPOSIT BOX SYSTEM
ROBBERY AN IMPOSSlBILITY
The Banks Safety Deposit System Elk
planned in Full Detail-Another
Deposition Interviewed

There are few new developments to be
noted in the Cussen story, which was
given fully in yesterday morning Herald.
A careful explanation of the workings or
OF the safe deposit system in the Southern
California Savings bank was made to
reporter by the officials of that institution
yesterday during a visit to the bank.
The safe deposit vault is six feet in width
and twenty feet long. On each side are ar
ranged the deposit boxes, which are eigh-
teen inches in depth thus leaving the hall
way between them three feet wide. Each
box in the vault is covered by an outer
door, In which two keyholes appear, one
being for the depositor and the other for the
keeper of the vault. Each depositor has
two keys delivered to him when he en-
cages the box, which keys are all that the
bank possesses. The key to the second
keyhole is in the possession of the keeper
and is entirely unlike that Of the depositor
Both keys-that is, the key of the deposit
or and that of the keeper-are required TO
open the safe deposit box, so that both
keeper and depositor are present when
box is opened. The boxes are covered with
a lid, which is unlocked by still another
key, which the depositor alone holds.
from knowing what is in the box of any
depositor, and the keeper is instructed in
no case to interest himself in the affairs of
depositors renting boxes, and to never hand
out the boxes to depositors, except they be
old or by special request. No keys are made
alike for any two boxes in the vault, and
all keys are tested for this purpose both
before they leave the factory and before
they are used in the bank, so as to be GER
tain that no key will fit two boxes.
The bank is arranged with gates in front
of the vaults and with rooms in the rear
for the use of patrons, who, when they
take their boxes out of the vault, take them
into these rooms and sometimes spend
hours in figuring or writing. All during
this time the keeper is in front of the
vault, and no person can pass in or out
without his seeing all that transpires, and
when the depostor returns his box and
locks the outer door to the drawer he can
remove his key, but not until then, as 1t
remains fast after the drawer door is I'M
locked until it is reclosed.
No depositor is received in the vault I'M
til he has signed at the outer counter a
slip giving his signature, address, the date
admitted and the exact time in hours and
minutes. His signature is then compared
with the signature book and he is allowed to
enter. 1t will be seen that, with all these
safeguards, it is practically impossible for
any one in the bank or outside to secure
access to the vault or to open any other
persons box than their own.
Mr. Cussen was interviewed at his place
of business and stated that he knew little
that was knew. He was still of the firm
opinion that the money had been taken
out of the box and that investigation would
result in its return in some way He said
that a Mr.. Hallisey of 617 Kohler street
called on him yesterday morning and stated
that he. had three keys and that the state
nent that there were only two keys is not
true. Mr.. Hallisey has rented box at the
Southern California bank for some time.
Mr.. Hallisey was interviewed al his home
but refused to either affirm or deny the
conversation with Cussen so far as II re-
ferred to the number of keys, as he did not
want any newspaper notorety over the
matter. He stated that he had never known
Mr.. Cussen personally, and only went 20
see him because he read the articles in the
morning papers and thought he would like
to talk to the gentleman. He further stated
that he had never missed anything from
his box, and admitted that the thought the
case very strange one.
The detectives of the police department
had nothing to say about the matter. ex-
cept that they were investigating II care
fully. Mr.. Cussen says that If nothing
comes up in the matter soon, he will offer
reward for the discovery of the facts and
the money.