New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-13
JOHNSTON ACCUSES KEENE
CHARGES CONSPIRACY TO DEPREsS
STATE TRUST COMPANY'S SECURITIES.
SAYS MONEY BY WHICH king BOUGHT
STOCK IN THE COMPANY WAS FUR
NISHED BY TALBOT J.
TAYLOR & co.

The publication yesterday Of extended alleged
extracts from the report made in January by
F. y. Kilburn State Superintendent of Banking,
to Governor Roosevelt on the formers exam
ination, as a result of a request made by
Abrar Killing, a stockhoder of the State
Trust Company. into the condition and affairs
Of the trust company has called forth vtgOr-
Gus response from Walter S. Johnston. presi-
dent Of the State Trust Company. Mr. Johnston
in his subjoined statement. issued last night,
declares with the utmost emphasis that Kings
petition a move in deliberate conspiracy,
the central figure of which James r.
Keene. 10 wreck the State Trust Company as
part of a far-reaching scheme TO depress securi-
ties values, and that King enabled 70
secure the State Trust stock necessary TO give
him standing a complaining stockhoIder by
using money furnished him for that purpose by
the firm Of Talbot j Taylor & Co. the senior
member Of which is Mr.. Keene's SON -tn-law.
Mr.. Johnston's statement is as follows:
The time has arrived for all interested IN
the State Trust Company and for the public gen.
pose OF the attack upon the management Of our
company recently made by Abraham Killing and
In the petition which was presented to Governor
ham King represented that he Was a bona fide
owner Of forty shares OF the stock. who had dis
tbat Of his NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ne " daneS @ II ms bs
-. - -. - -, |y--t' II ne @
Investigation might be made by the Banking De-
p&rtment and the stockholders protected.
His petition had such purpose. At the time
when II was filed the company was in a hourishing
condition Its stock HAD increased 100 per cent in
value in a year It's loan were a5undantly pro
terest of stockholders was the result Of a con-
spiracy deliberately planned 10 wreck the com
the value of its stock.
The chief actor in that conspiracy was James r.
Keene, whose campaign against solvent properties
being vigorously prosecuted in Wall Street
and who was engaged in a general raid upon secur-
tiles.
ALLEGED COCCNsPIRAToRs
eeaes egisonspTa7,q}gs @ Yer Charles P Bacon
AT the time when ,he conspiracy was planned
King owned stock in the State Trust Company.
shares during the year But there stood in his
name forty shares which did not belong 70 him. out
belonged to another whose name is known
TO enable Killing 70 pose as stock39lder II was
necessary TO purchase that stock He could not
afford 10 have IL said that he had purchased stock
on rba aigbTh 5ay- ~ Iar,,srX four davs before
he presented his petition to the Governor, the firm
with whom he has his office the head of which is
Keenes son-in-law, and which is well known in
a certain bank the sum OF S22,500 in currency. on
currency to Kings Office and gave il to king.
in certain other bank; where he keeps his regular
accoant on that bank King drew check for for
s250O The check went to the credit of the real
owner of the stock, by whose bank the stock Ger
stock Of the State Trust Company was selling at
Bacon and King. at the of $500 per share.
AS King and Bacon got possession of the
stock, they went TO Albany. They knew better
than go 10 the experienced Superintendent OF
Banks 50 they charged that he a
worthy man. and that the matter must be taken
up directly by Governor Roosevelt They told
him that over Ave millions of loans were upon
and dogs. Their petition full of aIleEa-
tons which nave been completely disproved Gov
Roosevelt consented 10 appoint personal
friend, General Andrews, 10 make the investiga-
ton. but, perceiving the injury that might
suit the depositOrs and stockholders OF the
COMPANY stipulated that all matters
nected with he investigation were 70 be secret
Killing PETITION PUBLISHED