The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-30
SOLDIERS TO GUARD TREASURE
TO ACT As ESCORT TO 5000, 900
IN ST. LOUIS.

Express Companies Unable 10 Deliver the
Money TO tho Sub-Treasury I'm st..
Louis on Account OF Teamsters' strike
The Cash Sent to Relieve Banks.
WARRINGTON, Oct. 20.-Under orders
telegraphed to-day by the acting Sec
rotary OF War to the commanding officer
at Jefferson barracks, Mo-, Regular troops
at that post. armed with loaded rifles. will
act as escort to the United States Sub
Treasury in st. Louis OF t3,0O0.OO in gold
and paper money, part OF which is to reach
that city tomorrow morning and the rest
on Saturday. This great treasure will be
hauled in army wagons and not, as GUS
tomary, by an express company.
The unusual action Of the War Department
In this matter has been taken at the instance
Of the Treasury Department and was the
outcome OF conditions produced by the
run on st. Louis banks and general strike
OF transfers there.
In order to relieve the st. Louis banks.
whose cash on hand WIS threatened with
depletion by the panic among depositors,
g, 100, 900 was placed in the New York Sub
Treasury on Wednesday and credit for
that amount established in the st. Louis
Sub-Treasury for the benefit Of the banks
upon which nuns were being made,
Tho Withdrawals by the st. Louis banks
AGAINST this credit have been no great that
the Sub Treasury's fund Of cash, Iarticu-
larly paper, became seriously depleted,
and an urgent requisition for an immediate
replenishment OF its vaults was made upon
the Treasury Department yesterday.
The Treasury officers here directed the
Mint in Philadelphia to prepare 500 IN
gold for shipment to st. Louis, and drew
upon it's own supply of paper money to the
extent Of 81 500, 90 additional. But diff
culties were encountered when the express
companies, which have contracts to carry
and deliver all Treasury cash shipments,
were notified that the 81 900 coo was to lie
sent to st. Louis from Philadelphia and
Washington.
The companies said that while they could
carry the money to St. Louis, it would be
impossible to deliver it to the Sub-Treasury
there owing to the strike of teamsters
The companies we're positive in holding hat
they would be unable TO get teams to haul
the treasure, and the Treasury Department,
knowing the urgent necessity OF supplying
the needs OF its st. Louis branch, turned in
it's extremity to the War Department with
an appeal for army wagons and troops to
guard them.
While the request WAS unusual and grant
ing II might cause criticism, there was
little hesitation on the part OF the War
Department and Acting Secretary Of War
oliver accordingly sent the necessary
instructions for carrying out the wishes
Of the Treasury. It is regarded as prob
able that the War Departments action
will bring violent denunciation from the
striking teamsters, and perhaps from the
labor unions generally. No fear 10 felt,
however, that there win be any interference
with the drivers Of the army teams. guarded
~ they will be by Regular cavalry.
The consignment OF cash, which IL due
to reach st Louis tomorrow, will con-
sist OF 100000 In gold from the Phila-
delphia Mint and q .0OO, 900 IN paper Of the
denominations OF d to 500 from Washing-
ton, The consignment to arrive ~ ~
Louis on Saturday will consist Of 81 100000
In paper money shipped to-day from Wash
ington,