Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-12
NO BAIL FOR WATSON
Not Yet Able to Secure
Bondsmen.
HIS HOUSE SEARCHED
NOTHING IN REFERENCE TO LOST
FUNDS DISCOVERED.
Auditor Petty Questioned by Commits
sioners as to Delay in Report
ing the Defalcation.
HIS HOUSE SEARCHED

James NJ a. Watson had not been re-
leased from custody up to 800 O'Clock this
afternoon. At that hour counsel stated that
Watson would in all probability be at hber-
ty by o'clock today.
Attorney Stuart Mcnamara and several
friends of the accused were busy late yes
terday endeavorng to arrange with three
bonding companies to qualify as sureties
for Watson in the sum of $4,000. 1t is I'M
derstood that two of the three companies
finally declined to assume the risk.
The representatives of the prisoner were
active all of today, and at a late hour this
afternoon Attorney Mcnamara announced
that arrangements for bail were about TO
be perfected and that Watson would, In
all probability, be released from Jail by
pm.
The defendant and another prisoner were
returned to Jail from the city hall late yes
terday in Watson's big automobile. Both
prisoners were in charge OF Deputy Mar
shall James Springmann.
Auditor Petty Questioned.
The Commissioners met in board session
at 1 o'clock this afternoon to consider va
rious matters connected with the watson
case Auditor Petty was summoned before
the board and asked for an explanation as
to why he had delayed informing the COM
missioners of the shortage he had discov-
cred The Commissioners feel that through
this delay too much time was given the
defaulting clerk to make away with any
District property or funds he might have
had in his possession, and also TO transfer
any property interests he might have out
side his transactions with the District.
The board session was called primarily
to consider the matter OF attaching what
ever property belonging to Watson coulo
ha The Commissioners received Il
report as to the opening OF the safe round
at Watson's house last evening. IN when
nothing was found but some certihcates OF
stock belonging to an estate Iof WHICH
Watson was trustee.
Corporation Counsel Duvall informed the
Commissio ners this morning that If attach
ment proceedings We're gone into they
would have to give bond to indemnify
the owners of any property that might be
wrongfully seized. The Commissioners tneh
sent for Mr. Petty and asked him If his
bondsmen were willing to go on such
bond for the District. Mr.. Petty said he
would be unwilling to ask any such favor
of them The auditor declared that he per-
sonally would go on such bond or lndem-
nifaction, however, and suggested that the
Commissioners sign with him. II Is prop
able that such bond will be arranged, as
the Commissioners have determined that
attachment proceedings shall go forward
The idea at present is to secure some resti-
tuition of the funds made away with Every
The Commissioners discussed the llkell-
hood of Watson having made away with
any property that was in his possession
subsequent 20 the discovery of his shortage
by Mr. Petty but prior to the auditors re-
port to the Commissioners. Mr. Petty was
asked for an explanation Of his delay.
He explained to the board that he had
every reason to believe that restitution
would be made by Watsons family. He
said he had been given such an assurance,
and was waiting for matters to eventuate
He hoped to come to the Commissioners
with a statement that the defalcation had
occurred. but that full restitution had been
made. Mr.. Petty declared that Mr. John
II. Bryant, WatsonS father-in-law, had as
sured him that If arrest We're made or
the slightest publicity given to the matter
all chances of the District getting it's money
back would be lost. 1t was because of this
statement that Mr.. Petty decided to keep
Lis own counsel for a few days.
Family in Moderate Circumstances.
1t is stated today by friends and acquain-
tances of the Bryants that the family, in
stead of being wealthy as reputed, is in
very moderate circumstances. 1t was sup
posed to be his wifes money that Watson
was spending so freely In the purchase
of automobiles and the launching of his
various business enterprises. Mr.. Bryant
Is said to have made considerable money
some years ago. but to have lost 1T again
The house in which the Watsons and Bry-
ants IiEeu Il SD-p Columbia ROAD, ana winch
said to be a present from Mr.. Bryant
to his daughter on the occasion of her
marriage. is said to be heavily mortgaged
So far as is generally known there Is little
property in the family which may be avail
able to make restitution to the District.
The Commissioners this morning again
discussed the connection Of Inspector Lap
ham of the engineer department with Wat
son. 1t seems that while Watson and Lap
ham compared their books and accounts
with each other, no one ever audited the
stubs of Lapham's voucher books. The
Commissioners do not know that there were
any Irregularities in this connection. and
hope there were not. They have directed
that a further inquiry be made into the
matter, If for no other purpose than to Sc
cure correction in such lax system.
Auditor Petty has recommended to thu
Commissioners the appointment of an ad-
ditional clerk in his Office to assist in ex-
aiming the books and vouchers there. Mr..
Petty said that every voucher passed by
Watson would be gone over. AS the time
covers four years and a half the task Is
quite large one. 1t Is the only way, how
ever, in which the account can be checked
up and Strengthened out.
Mr.. Deering Still Alive.
One Of the rather amusing Incidents Of
today was the appearance of Mr.. George T.
Deering, one OF Mr. Pettys bondsmen, at
the District building. When Mr. Petty's
bond was looked up day before yesterday
TO ascertain the names of the sureties, 1t
was reported that Mr.. Deering had recent
ly dad. The Commissioners were so In
formed but attached no great Importance
TO the matter they regarded the two
surviving sureties as sufficient to war
rant the safety of the bond
Mr.. Deering appeared this morning to say
that he was still living and expressed his
wish to meet the gentlemen of the press
and others who had recorded his demise
Mr. Deering appeared hale and hearty and
seemed well able to stand his connection
with the auditors bond.
Watson's House Searched.
The home of Watson, on Columbia road
was searched this morning as It was
thought that some OF the alleged stolen
funds might have been left in the safe. At
a conference held yesterday It was decided
TO have the search made, and about a
o'clock in the afternoon Auditor Petty went
to the Police Court and swore out the nee
essary warrant. The search failed to re-
veal the presence in the safe of any cash.
Papers and certificates of stock were found
The papers, the police report were OF no
value to them in the prosecution and the
stock certificates probably belong to the
Woodward estate, of which Watson was
receiver. Detectives Hartigan and Tyser
and Captain Bingham. assistant United