The San Francisco call., 1904-03-22
Former Cashier Hays
in Riverside Is
Accused.
Directors Have Warrant
Issued for Prominent
Mans Arrest.
Examiners Discover That Many Thou
sands Of Dollars Have Been
Recently Embezzlsd.
speo,s, Dispatch to The cam.

RIVERSIDE. March 21.-As a result
OF a meeting Of the board of directors
Of the Orange Growers National Bank,
the biggest financial institution in
Riverside County, late tonight a war
rant was issued for the arrest of H. T.
Hays. former cashier Of the bank. on
q charge of felony embezzlement. The
amount Of the peculations Of Hays is
not known, but that it exceeds sS5, 900
is admitted by those in position to
know.
Hays was until recently the political
boss Of Riverside County. leader in most
Of the social movements, a factor in
all public matters of magnitude and
the Beau Brummel Of this section. Sew
eraI months ago il was discovered that
in connection with the agency for the
Salt l. ke Railway Company he had
been connected with land frauds which
netted him many thousands Of dollars
Upon the discovery of his connection
with these deals he gave to the rail-
way company trust deeds for s120 600
worth Of property, and later the matter
reached the civil courts, but Hays was
never prosecuted crfminally His land
frauds resulted in the dismissal Of Col
ouel ]. ". F. Diss as claim agent Of
the railway company
EXAMINERS INVESTIGATE.
since then Hays has been defying
those whom he said had been perse-
cutting him. Meantime the National
Bank Examiner had been at work
The result was the discovery of short
ages in the bank, the amounts of
which the directors refuse TO make
public. The bank is fully protected
the members of the board of direc-
tors have drawn upon their private
fortunes for amounts sufficient to
make good Hays alleged peculations
They possibly would have refrained
from proceeding criminally against
Hays but for the credit of the bank;
but now that the warrant is issued.
the directors declare that they will
push the case to the conviction Of the
accused # that is possible.
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS.
The following official statement was
issued tonight at midnight by the
board Of directors as 10 the shortages
Nhich have thus far been discovered:
About the time OF the resignation &C
Mr.. Hays as cashier there appeared 20
be a shortage Of $1,000, which sum had
been paid to Mr.. Hays but had not
been turned over to the bank. This
waS<called 10 Mr.. Hays attention He
secured this sum and paid the bank
Afterwsrd further shortage of $500
was discovered and charged TO Mr..
HAYS. who paid the sum back to the
bank. Subsequently further shortages
aggregating $4,000 were discovered.
Mr.. Hays was asked TO pay this sum
back TO the bank, but was unable to
Go so, but instead he gave security IN
the form Of trust deed to A. A. Adair
as trustee.
Before this, however. he had al
ready given a trust deed to E. B.
How as trustee TO secure possible
shortages. Upon further investigation
by the National Bank Examiner a fur
ther shortage was discovered by him
Upon the latter's advice the directors
made this good to the bank and the
entire satisfaction Of the National
Bank Examiner"
Immediately after the issuance Of
this statement a warrant for Hays
arrest was placed in the hands of
Sheriff Coburn, but some of Hays
friends had informed him and he could
not be found. Tomorrow the direct
ors intimate that there will be other
charges as the basis Of additional war
rants.