The San Francisco call., 1899-04-14
Martin Bauer Accused
of EmbeZZlement.
A SUIT FILED AGAINST HIM
WILL BE PROSECUTED BY THE
FIRM LATER.
Boesch Lamp Company Makes Sensa-
tional Charges of Theft Against
It's Vice President and
Manager.

Martin Bauer, the vice president of the
Boesch Lamp Company 5S5 Mission street,
is made the defendant in a sensational
suit filed in Judge Barrys court last
Saturday. The company seeks TO recover
the sum of $299 which it is alleged Bauer
embeZzled while acting in the capacity
of it's manager. The suit, however is
but a preliminary proceeding to crimi-
nal prosecution to follow when certain
facts are established
Bauer has been connected with the COM
pany nearly fourteen years. He enjoyed
the implicit confidence of Emil Boesch,
its president and was entrusted with the
responsibilities of the big business. About
one year ago the first whisperings of
his trusted clerks dishonesty reached
Boesch's ears. He regarded them as false
and remained firm in his belief that his
confidence had not been misplaced. Later
further proof was brought to the presi-
dent, and it was then that he entertained
his first doubt.
About eight months ago he left San
Francisco for Paris. Before his departure
he employed Attorney D. B. Richards to
investigate the conduct of Bauer and de-
tect him in theft if possible. Richards
detailed several detectives to make pur-
chases from Bauer In each instance the
sleuths were given receipts for the
placed in the books nor was the money
turned over to the firm. The attorney
also obtained proof that Bauer had
been systematically pilfering in this
ever the oportunity presented It
self He sent his report to President
Boesch at Paris and the latter made ar
rangementS to secretly return ana take
his employe by surprise.
About two weeks ago Bauer was sum-
moned to Richards office. He was con-
attorney and, utterly off his guard, broke
down and confessed. He admitted having
taken a small amount and pleaded tnat
he be allowed to square the matter
with Boesch, whom he believed to be IN
Paris. His resignation was first demand
ed and after some reluctance he wrote 1t
out Boesch, who was in an ADJOINING
room, then stepped in and another scene
occurred. The embeZzler gave as an ex-
cuse for his offense that his wife was
exceedingly penurious and would not even
allow him spending money. In order to
keep a few coins In his pocket, he said,
he was obliged to pilfer from the firm.
Boesch demanded the whole truth, but
Bauer persisted that he had taken but
few dollars
The receipts obtained by the detectives
amount to large sum. and this is the
only positive evidence against the &C
cused. Richards says that It would be
impossible to ascertain the correct
amount of the defalcations, as there has
been no complete record of sales kept, and
until Bauer consents to impart further
information the exact loss to the firm
will remain unnamed. Bauer received $3.50
month and dividends as manager and
Attorney Richards stated yesterday that
he believed him to be worth between S40,-
900 and 900 at the present time. He
resides at S06 Hayes street.
The suit to recover the small amount
was instituted with the intention of fore
ing Bauer to give details under oath, af-
ter which to prosecute him for embez-
element. When first accused by Attorney
Richards he refused to resign, but was
given an alternative of immediate arrest.
Under these conditions he resigned. He
is about 80 years of age and, until his
present difficulty was always believed to
be capable and honest employe. He
has a family and his sons were employed
by the lamp company.
Emil Boesch stated yesterday that he
believed the company had been robbed of
something in the neighborhood of $50 900
by Bauer. He would not discuss the mat
ter but said that he will depend entirely
upon Attorney Richards for a settlement.
Bauer is at present fitting up a store
on Mission street. in which he will con-
duct a lamp business. He admitted hay
ing taken money, but said his position in
the firm warranted him in doing so, as
he had worked faithfully in its interest
for the past fifteen years" He asserts
that the charges are made against him at
this time to injure his trade, as he will
compete with the Boesch Lamp Company.
Attorney Richards says that Boesch will
prevent Bauer from conducting his bust
ness until his alleged Indebtedness to his
company is settled.