Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-09
Something About Him.


nected with the discovery of Watson's al
legged shortage.
The young man was before the Commits
sioners several months ago because of his
connection with the publication Of little
sheet called THE News" Major Richard
Sylvester issued an order against any police
lieutenant taking part in contest for
gold watch offered by the publication. Wat
son called on the superintendent of police
at that time and asserted that he would do
what he chose with his paper.
Major Sylvester took occasion at that
time to look up the young mans record,
and it is stated he found that Watson was
sent to the reform school while in his
minority on charge of forgery.
In addition to running the paper in ques-
ton. Watson owned barber shop near the
District building. which he has been trying
to sell recently for the sum Of $500.
In addition to the barber shop Watson
was the promoter of a patent medicine con-
Germ. a tonic which was guaranteed to
work wonders
Further than this Watson Is the treas
urer of what Is known as the District Co
Operative Association, which takes in
money from employees on deposit and lends
It out again. An arrangement is also in ex-
isteDce between the association and mer-
chants whereby the members of the asso-
citation get goods at 10 per cent discount.
Mr.. Watson settling their accounts with his
own personal checks.
Many of the important officials at the
building are depositors in the association.
turning the money over entirely to Wat
son. and getting his personal receipt in tiny
books resembling bank books. The en-
r~IA ,-l-,,. 10. ale
depositors in this get-rich-ouick and eco
nomical scheme. One elderly employe in
an office was exhibiting this afternoon a
book calling for 800 in deposits. He still
has faith in Watson. however. despite the
alleged discoveries.
Mr.. Watson and his wife were both strik-
ing figures. She is tall and blonde while
he is tall and quite dark They owned one
of the largest, fastest, and one of the first
red devil automobiles brought to this
city. They were prominent figures at all
the important first-night productions at the
theaters. and were the centers of attractive
parties at the Benning races. Mrs. Wat
son, who was Miss Bryant, Is reputed to
be quite wealthy through gifts from her
father. Mr.. Watson, also well supplied
with money, was supposed to be making 1t
out of his multitudinous enterprises or was
sharing his wires estate. His friends at
the District building were loathe even to-
day to believe that there could be any
thing wrong with his accounts.
When first approached those who were in
a position to know the general run of
things declared most positively that moth
ing could be wrong. They were not salts
fed that the situation was grave until word
was given out this afternoon that a war
rant was to be issued.
Mr.. Watson figured in an interesting cpl
sode in front of the ladies' entrance of the
New Willard one evening last winter II
was arrested on charge preferred by
paymaster in the navy. who alleged that
Watson and companion had been disre-
spectful to a lady. The case was not pres
ecuted in the Police Court. however, and
Mr. Watson in a public statement declared
his intention of suing the naval officer Tor
defamation of character.
According to the last report of Auditor
Petty the permit fund, June 80 1!o2
amounted to s27 .56317. The collections
during the year were $3S. 1854.
Looking for Watson.
When information of the alleged shortage
reached police headquarters and 1t was said
that Watson was not about the District
building there was some lively moving
about on the part of police officials. Moth
ing was known about the whereabouts of
Watson. who might easily have been placed
under arrest if the police department had
been advised of the affair earlier in the
day. Watson had not been apprehended at
2:30 O'Clock and both Maj. Sylvester and
Capt. Boardman said they had no idea of
his whereabouts. 1t was suggested that
- IA,
tomobile
1t stated at police headquarters this
afternoon that Watson was receiver of an
estate. the settlement of which is in the
hands of the court Some anxiety is felt
concerning his management of the estate.
although in this affair he is under bond.
Captain Boardman and Detective Tyser
were the only ones en- duty in the detective
Office when the report reached there, and
both men went out to make inquiries con-
corning Watson's whereabouts. Later De-
tective Hartigan and others were detailed
on the case and were sent in search of the
alleged defaulter.
Watson was appointed to the auditors
office in 1898. II is said. on the recommen-
dation of Chief Justice Alvey of the Court
OF Appeals.
Commissioner Vests Statement.
Commissioner West this afternoon said
in regard to the defalcation:
The fact that there has been a serious
embeZzlement OF District funds was first
brought to my attention this morning by
Auditor Petty. who. l understand has been
Cognizant of the matter for some days, dur
ing which time he has been endeavoring to
find out the exact status of affairs.
Mr. Watson who wa clerk ba
with the embezZlement. was appointed in
1SlS. four years before | came into the
commissioners office. and during that time
Seemed tn have won the confidence of the
auditor, in whose Office he was employed.
In examining into the details of the various
departments under me / did not of course
go mlnutely into the operations of the aud
itors Office, because that was one depart
ment OF the District government which
was supposed To be absolutely safeguarded
at every point.
When / first came into the office how
ever, l did ind that vouchers, or requisi-
IONS. Tor large amounts were brought to
me to sign. which bore the initials of the
auditing officials stamped with a rubber
stamp. l did not like that way of doing
business, and directed that in the future
no papers calling for the payment Of money
should come TO me for approval unless the
initials were written in ink. so that IL any
question arose in the future 10 the cor