Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20
PAPER WAS NOT DATED
ALLEGED EMBEZZLER DREW ON
ASSOCIATION FUNDS.
Expected Review Of Circumstances At
tending Shortage in Report to
Be Made Monday.

of 5000 Is on deposit to Watson's credit as
the secretary and treasurer of the District
Cooperative Association. which he organ
lied and in which he interested some OF the
prominent officials Of the District govern
ment. Payment on the check was refused,
as the instrument was not dated, and on
the further ground that it was presented by
a young colored boy who was not known at
the bank. The officials at the District
building who admit their connection with
the association have taken up the AFFAIRS
of the organization and have requested the
bank to honor no checks on the funds de-
posted there until matters can be straight
ened out. 1t is said that Watson drew the
check for $3.50 yesterday at the jail. but
neglected to date it or send it by some au-
thenticated person. If he had done so the
check would probably have been paid as up
to that time the bank had known no one
officially in the Cooperative Association
other than Watson.
The affairs of the association are under
going a careful investigation under the
direction of the District Commissioners.
The association was comparatively young
affair." and it is stated that up to the tiHle
of Watson's arrest about 100 had been
paid in. OF this amount it is claimed that
j. NJ A. Watson and his brother George
of the health department paid in $JOO. leav-
ing 5000 subscribed by others at the DIS
trict building The sum of SIS in cash. be-
longing to the association. was found IN
Watson's desk, and 1898. 1t was learned. IS
on deposit at the Central National BANK
This makes a total of $S6S out or the $uOO
subscribed by others than the members OF
the Watson family. 1t Is said that loans
outstanding and due the association VIII
fully cover the remaining $232 due to de-
poSitorS 1t is consequently believed that
those who invested in the shares of the as
ISOLATION will recover their money.
Purpose of the Association.
The District Cooperative Association
was rather a unique concern, organized for
the purpose OF lending money to District
employees at the rate Of per cent for fif-
teen days, or ~ per cent a year. The as
ISOLATION was also to have an arrangement
with certain merchants whereby the MEM
bers might get goods at 10 per cent diS-
count Watson was to issue the necessary
orders for the goods. These were to De
hOnOred by the merchants and returned 10
him for settlement. He in turn would col
lect the money from the member. TINS
principal business developed In the line OF
loans. however. and the revenue derived IN
interest should have made the investment
a remunerative one for the hackers of the
orga nizatiOn.
One of the interesting features Of the as
socia lion is the fact that several OF the
officers and members Of the executive COM
mittee deny that they were ever elected to
or ever consented to serve in the capacities
where they are placed by the letter-heads
and announcements prepared for aSSocia-
ton use. There are two three who
readily admit their connection with the or
ganizat.on. however. and these are setting
about to straighten out the affairs The in
dications ara that they will not only save
their own money, but that of the other de-
pOStOrS well.
Interest In Auditors Report.
In regard to the other features of the
Watson case there were no developments
at the District building today. All interest
is centered in the report of Auditor Petty
which is promised for Monday, and which.
IL is stated. will make very interesting
reading. Mr.. Petty is expected to review
the whole affair from beginning to end
Nearly two weeks have elapsed since the
shortage in the auditors office was dis
covered by the Commissioners. Commits
sioner West who has supervision of that
department.. called upon Mr.. Petty for an
early report. Mr.. Petty asked that time be
granted for its preparation. He has been
spoken to by the Commissioners concerning
the statement twice since the first call, and
yesterday announced that the report would
be ready on Monday. The Commissioners
are anxious to have the exact status of af-
fairs placed officially before them. in order
that they may proceed in the matter along
the lines that may suggest the best good
to the public service.
A member of the local detective force tells
with Watson in New York city something
more than a year ago. Watson was mar
ried a year ago last Easter. and at the
time he met the local sleuth he was on his
wedding trip. The detective had gone to
New York to be present at the wedding or
his brother. He and Watson were quite
we'll acquainted
The detective met Watson on Broadway
one morning 1t is said that Watson's face
blanched and he seemed much perturbed
as the police official greeted him. The lat
ter asked Watson what was the trouble
If he was not feeling well. The latter re-
piled by asking quickly what the detective
was doing in the metropolis. When told
that he was there to attend a wedding Wat
son is said to have quickly recovered his
wits. The detective attached no import
ance to the incident until the announce
ment was made of the alleged shortage in
Watsons accounts.
Demand for Statement.
w. A. Tower. superintendent of construc-
ton for the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company. has asked the Commits
sioners for a statement of any charges
against the several deposits by that COM
pany so that accounts may be Strengthened
up Auditor Petty has reported that the
deposit of this company is one Of class
now under investigation, and suggests that
no statement such requested by tina
writer, can be furnished until the examina-
ton in progress shall have been completed.
Deputy United States Marshal P. F.
Cusick last evening visited premises 300
Columbia road and levied an attachment on
sixty volumes OF the Worlds Classics"
thirty-two volumes of Dumas works, a
fencing outfit and set of boxing gloves,
all said to be the property of James NJ A.
Watson.
Watson's father is about to proceed to
Palmer, Tex. on business. 1t Is said, per-
tanning to the weather bureau. with which
he Is connected. 1t Is understood that the
defendants mother Is already at the Texas
town mentioned
No steps were taken today In the direc.
ton of securing the release of Watson from
the District jail on bail.