The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-13
SUIT INSTITUTED
AGAINST WATSON
Automobile and 1.-THE News"
Plant Attached.
HIS SUCCESSOR APPOINTED
J. W. Peed Named to vacancy-Com-
missioners Demand Report From
the Auditor.


James NJ A. Watson. jr.. was attached
this morning by the Commissioners. The
attachment was the result of civil
suit. by the Commissioners, in the Dis
trict Supreme Court. against James NJ. a.
Watson, 5r., to recover $40, 1928, alleged
to be due on accounts stated between
them and the defendant
The proceedings are based On the affi-
davit CT James T. Petty, Auditor for the
District who says that Watson fraudu-
lently contracted the debt and incurred
the obligation. and that Watson has as
signed. conveyed, disposed OF and Sc
ereted his property with intent TO hin
der, delay and defraud the District ani
his creditors.
1t is stated that funds were kept
separately on deposit in the Traders
National Bank The amounts particu-
larly specified in the affidavit are: July
u, 1899. Ss93.53 July q, 1899, s3,721.1o;
November %, 1899. Sl.5S2,09: February
25 1900. 81 ,eo3.23; February 20, 1901.
50. .2S2 .79, aggregating s1O,1S2.7e. These
funds, ii is said, he appropriated fraudu-
iently and unlawfully 10 his own use.
The Commissioners are represented by
Corporation Counsel Duvail and Assist
ant Counsel E. Fl. Thomas.
writs of Attachment Issued.
AS soon as practicable after the pro-
eeedings were begun writs of attachment
were issued against the property of Wat
son.
The first piece of property found by
Deputy Marshals Turner and Callahan
was Watson's red devil auto, which
they seized in front of she Home Life
Company, at Fifteenth and C Streets
northwest. The auto was brought 10 the
City Hall and turned over TO the United
States Marshal for the District The
machine will be placed In some storage
horse for safe keeping.
Plant of "The News" Attached.
Under authority of a writ issued in
connection with the same proceedings
the publishing plant of THE News" was
attached. This property, it is said. also
belongs to Watson. A day or two ago
however. it was stated that The News"
plant was owned by Mr.. Bryant. Wat
sons father-in-law. The attachment, it is
suid, will not interfere with the publish
:rg of 1.-The News for the present, at
least.
1t was also stated that the payment
of check, made by Watson recently,
and payable at a local bank. has been
stopped and the check attached.
In speaking of the writs of attachment
issued against the property of Watson
and their execution, Stuart Mcnamara.
one of his attorneys, said this after
noon that the attachments made are IL
legal He will, in two days, the time
required for notice 10 the Commissions
ers, file motion in the Supreme Court
CT the District asking that the writs OF
attachment be quashed and Watson's
property returned to him.
Pledged Automobile.
1t was learned by the Corporation
Counsel that Watson yesterday gave a
check to the bonding company for $1,000
on the Citizens National Bank, and
pledged the automobile for security.
The counsel took Immediate steps 10
forestau the payment of the check. An
attachment was issued against the We
hicle, and the bank was garnisheed for
the money represented in the check
This, Of course. will stop the proceed
ings in that direction for obtaining the
bond for Watsop's bail.
1t was found that Watson had $500 on
deposit in the itizens' Bank and q
small deposit Of about $3.50 in the Cen
tral National Bank.
Commissioner West this morning made
a formal demand upon Auditor Petty for
his report upon the defalcation. The
Commissioners are yet somewhat in the
dark as to the amount taken by Watson.
and they cannot act with intelligence
until ii is known. Mr.. Petty explained
to the Commissioners the difficulty in his
way in the examination of the accounts,
and promised to be as expeditions as
possible He 'hought he might be able
to report by Monday afternoon or Tues
day morning.
Commissioner West today decided to
appoint j. w Peed. now employed in
the Office OF the auditor of station ac-
counts of the Southern Railway Com
pany, TO the position made vacant by
the dismissal of Mr.. Watson. Mr. Peed
has worked for the Southern Railway
Company continuously for many years.
and came with Endorsements OF the
highest character.
Arrangements for Bail.
Justice Pritchard decided this morn
ing that the Title Guaranty and Trust
Company, of Scranton, Pa, Is author
ized 10 do business In the District and
would be accepted as bail for Watson.
Counsel for Watson late yesterday af-
ternoon offered this company as bond
for Watson.
It Was then decided that the Title
Guaranty and Trust Company, of Scran-
ton. would become bail for Watson. Ar
rangements were made to bring Watson
from the jail to the City Hall at D. m,
when The bond would be executed for the
sum OF $4,000.