Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-13

son. in the event it should be presented as
such surety.
in court Mr.. George 7. Parker, agent for
the company, stated to Star reporter that
the company would qualify as surety for
Watson. A delay occurred. however. coun-
sci announcing to Clerk F. w. Smith of
Criminal Court No. that the surety would
not be offered until O. clock this afternoon.
1t developed that considerable doubt ex-
listed after all In regard to the Scranton
company going on the bond for Watson.
The latter's father-in-law. Mr.. Bryant. who
has been away from the city. was expected
to return by p. m. today. and there SEEM
ed to be a desire on the part of the repre-
sentatives of the Scranton bonding COM
pany to confer with him prior to qualifying.
1t was stated this afternoon that no fur
Their attempt will be made by Watson's at
torneys to procure bail for him until Mon
day morning.
At the Commissioners Office.
There were no important developments in
the Watson case at the District building
today. The Commissioners were informed
that the Watson automobile, which has
been so prominently connected with the
Watson trips from the Jail to the court
house. had been attached. The corporation
counsel further stated to the Commissioners
that he had found the sum of $500 at the
Citizens National Bank and about 500 at
Watson. This money was also attached.
1t is said today that Watson had accounts
In banks at Atlantic City. at Philadelphia
and at New York. He drew check on the
New York bank as late as Monday night,
and it was paid
The Commissioners today decided to ask
the Secretary of the Treasury to take
charge of the funds formerly handled by
the auditors Office by deposits in a local
bank. Mr. Petty himself made the recon-
IN fn ha 6Nnpo v,,yc
afternoon. The funds are referred to as
the whole cost fund, which includes all
the deposits made by plumbers. railroads
and other corporations to cover the cost of
repairing streets
Mr.. West reiterated this morning that he
believed this fund could be handled through
the local banks just as we'll as through the
Treasury Department If the proper safe
guards had been placed about It, but the
Commissioners thought in view Of all the
circumstances that it would be better to
let this account go to the treasury This
action will take all money transactions
away from the auditors Office. In their
letter on the subject to Mr.. Leslie NJ Shaw
the Secretary Of the Treasury the Com
miSSionerS say: 81. =.
THE Commissioners of the District of
Columbia have the honor to recommend
that in order to safeguard the whoIe-cost
deposit funds hereafter, the collector of
taxes be permitted to deposit said moneys
to the credit of a special account in the
United States Treasury, to be disbursed
upon check of the disbursing officer Of the
District of Columbia. as in the case Of ap-
preparations made by Congress" 80.
Watson's Successor.
The Commissioners today appointed Mr..
j. w. Peed to the vacancy created by the
dismissal of Watson. Mr. Peeds appoint
ment was recommended by Commissioner
West after very careful inquiry. Mr.
in ba Of no
auditor of station accounts of the South
ern Railway Company. He has worked for
the Southern Railway Company continu-
ously for many years, and came with in
dorsementS of the highest character from
c. B. Hayes. auditor of revenue; H. III.
Laughton, auditor of disbursements: w.
B. Starke, auditor of station accounts; M.
G. Figg. general bookkeeper; w. P. Rose,
chief clerk and auditor of passenger ac-
counts H. w. Woolf. freight auditor; E. T.
Jones, auditor of freight accounts. all of
whom testified to the fact that Mr.. Peed
was a firSt-clasS accountant, thoroughly
reliable, honest and painstaking. Mr.. Peed
is a native Of Virginia. and Representa-
tive Jones of the first district. who has
known him since boyhood. speaks Of him
in the highest terms. Mr.. Peed was about
to be promoted in the railway service to
the position of travelling auditor, with au-
thority to investigate any and all stations
along the lines Of the Southern railway,
He Is thoroughly equipped for work in
the auditors office.
Mr.. West Wants an Official Report.
Mr. West this morning called upon Mr..
Petty for his official report Of the defalca-
ton in his office. Mr.. Petty stated that he
had not had time to prepare the state
ment as yet, and asked to be given until
the first part of next week to do So His
request for more time granted.
1t developed today that there was some
correspondence between Commissioner
West and Auditor Petty last winter in re-
gard to Watson. Mr.. West stated to the
auditor at the time that he heard Watson
was neglecting his work in the auditors
office and was giving a greater part of his
time to private enterprises. 1t Is stated
that the auditor assured the Commissioner
that Watson was of the best clerks in
his office Mr.. Petty says he had implicit
confidence in the man 1t was upon this
showing that no further action was taken
by the Commissioners.
1t was further stated that Watson often
did not draw his salary as District clerk
for months at time. Once he is said to
have let the money accumulate called
months The engineer department called
the matter to the attention Of the auditors
Office and Watson was questioned in re-
gard to it. He said he looked upon his
salary a savings account and liked to
let 1t accumulate. He was informed that
he must henceforth draw his money each
month.