The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-08
TROOPS GUARD TREASURE.
Army Wagons Hauled Thres Million
Dollars TO ST. Louis Subtreasury.


Washington Special TO Providence Journal
Under orders telegraphed to-day by the
acting secretary OF war TO the commanding
officer at Jefferson barracks. Missouri reg
ular troops at that post. armed With loaded
rifles. viii act as the escort to the United
States subtreasury In St Louis for three
million dollars In gold and silver money.
part Of which Is to reach that city to-mor-
row morning and the rest on Saturday.
This great treasure will be haulsd In army
wagons and not, as customary, By an ex-
press company. The unusual action OF the
War Department in this matter has been
taken at the instance OF the Treasury De-
partment. and was the OUTCOME OF condi-
tions produced by the run on st. Louis
banks and a general strike Of teamsters
there.
In order to relieve the St Louis banks
whose cash on hand was threatened with
depletion by the panic among depositors.
100000 was placed In the New York sub
treasury on Wednesday. and q credit for
that amount established In tbs St Louis
81 btreasury for the benefit Of the banks
upon which runs were being fnade. The
Withdrawals by the St. Louis banks against
subtreasury's fund Of cash. particularly
paper, became seriously depleted. and an
urgent requisition for an immediate replen-
lshment OF its vaults was made upon the
Treasury Department yesterday The treas
ury officials here directed the mint in Phila-
delphia to prepare $4,000 in gold for ship
ment TO St Louis, and drew upon its own
supply or paper money to thS extent OF
S2,50o,00o additional. But difficulties were
encountered when the express, companies
which have contracts to carry and deliver
all treasury cash shipments were notified
that the S3,0c0o09 was TO be sent to St
Louis from Philadelphia an6 Washington.
They said that while they could carry the
money 10 ST.. Louis IL would be- impossible
to deliver it to the subtreasury shere owing
TO the strike of teamsters- The companies
were positive in holding that they would
be unable to get teams TO haul the money,
and the Treasury Department. knowing the
urgent necessity OF supplying tue needs OF
its st. Louis branch, turned in sits extrem-
ity to the War Department with an appeal
for army wagons and troops TO guard
them.
While the request was unusua: and grant,
ing II might cause criticism. there was little
hesitation on the part of the War Depart
ment officials. and acting Secretary OF War
Oliver accordingly cent the necessary in
structions for carrying out thu wishes OF
the treasury. II Is regarded rs probable
that the War Departments action will
bring violent denunclations from the strik-
ing teamsters and perhaps froEn the labor
unions generally. No fear is felt, however.
that there will be any interference with
the drivers OF the army team, guarded as
they will be by regular troops,
The consignment OF cash whiah is due TO
reach St Louis tomorrow wiz consist OF
$4,000 in gold from the Philadelphia mint
and 81 100000 in paper bills of the denomina-
tions between one dollar and enc hundred
dollars, inclusive, from Washington The
consignment TO arrive In St Lauis on Sat-
urday will consist of sl500cpo in paper
money shipped to-day from Washington.