Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-11
DEFALCATION IN
SHORT LINE OFFICE
Startling Discovery Made in the Accounts
OF Arthur }. Van Kuran, the COM
panyS Local Treasurer.

The announcement that Arthur ].
Van Kuran. local treasurer of the Ore
gon Short Line had been removed sud-
denly from his position owing 10 dis
crepancies In his books, spread like
wildfire this morning among his num-
erous friends. and on the street The
story came as bomb out of the clear
sky and at first was descredited. In
quiry at the Short Line general Of
Aces. however. ELECTED the reply that
1t was only too true.
The books Of the late local treasurer
are now undergoing a thorough over
hauling with the result that Auditor
Hills and Travelling Auditor Craig have
gone over the last six months ac-
counts TO discover that there Is q de-
ficlency of close upon $1,000. Just how
far back these discrepancies date Is not
known, but Il is stated that as the books
are being overhauled that fresh errors
crop up with each month. Such in sub
SAonNf was NAt llidllOH blNtH u
the News" by Auditor Hills this morn
ing.
This Is emphaticaly denied by Mr..
Van Kuran who when seen stated that
the story Of his alleged defalcations had
been spread solely with the idea of in
juring him, and that when his accounts
were investigated that 1t would be
found that an injustice had been done
him.
The railroad officials are very 10th TO
discuss the matter In any shape or
form. but they admit that there is some
thing seriously wrong with Mr.. Van
kuran's books. The discovery that
something was amiss with the accounts
OF the local treasurer was made by
Travelling Auditor Craig, who In the
regular line Of his duty, overhauled the
books Of the office on Friday afternoon.
Mr.. Craig found several discrepancies,
and as Mr.. Van Kuran was absent from
the Office, he reported them 20 Auditor
Hills at once without waiting until the
treasurer returned 10 make an expana-
ton. Auditor Hills lost no time in maxi
ing thorough investigation with the
result that Mr.. Van Kuran was given
an opportunity to explain before Vice
President Bancroft Auditor Hills and
General Attorney Farley l.. Williams.
When he was asked to throw some
light upon the matter Mr.. Van Kuran
said that there was nothing to explain
and II there We're any discrepancies
that they would be found to be simply
unimportant errors.
In order TO give Mr.. Van Kuran an
opportunity 10 make q statement OF the
unfortunate situation News" repre-
sentative called at his residence, SIS
South State street, this morning, APP
parently the children at the house were
not aware OF the cloud that hung over
the homestead for they Informed the
reporter that Papa has not got home
from work yet"
Later In the day Mr.. Van Kuran was
found TO be at home, apparently labor
ing under the combined influence Of
excitement and an endeavor 10 forget
the present In resort 10 1.-THE cup
which blots out recollection"
Mr.. Van Kuran stated that he was
surprised that any such story should
have been circulated as there wasn't a
scintilla OF truth in the statement that
he was short In his accounts.
at Is true that ! have been suspend
ed up AT the Short Line for the time be-
ing, but time will only show that VIII