The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-11-08

cause their contents are deemed of lit
tie value
1t is rumored that this is not the first
time that Unger has been under a
cloud in the same office. The other his
accusers say, was smoothed by the in
f1uence Of friends.
In February, 1902, Unger was elevated
from the position Of seizure clerk in the
Collectors office TO the position Of chief
clerk in the customs service. In June,
1903. he resigned, giving as the cause
that the duties We're too arduous. He
then resumed the duties of seizure
clerk, and the real cause of the change
in the service was kept quiet.
But it is now said that when Unger
left the position of seizure clerk in
February, 1902, he was short in his ac-
counts about $1,000. This, it is alleged,
he attempted to make good by turning
in payments of from 5000 to $500 a
month. fingers successor, Henry Farm
er. reported the shortages to Collector
Stratton, and it is now given out that
Unger was forced to resign his position
as chief clerk. Whatever money was
stolen was made good and the crime
was kept quiet Farmer succeeded
Unger as chief clerk, and the stealings
would not have been discovered had
not Unger continued his populations.
But Unger found the temptations of
the seizure clerks position too strong
for him. For several months it has
been suspected that valuable articles
Of jewelry have been stolen from the
mails Investigation showed that the
stuff had been turned over to Unger. 1t
could be traced no farther
When the seizure clerk learned that
his doings had been discovered he re-
signed. Collector Stratton declined to
accept the resignation and suspended
/ Unger until the situation can be sifted
to the bottom.
Regarding fingers troubles, Stratton
declines to be interviewed.
Il must refer you to the authorities
at Washington" he said. This is de-
partmental business and I am not per-
mitted to discuss it. l can say that
Mr.. Unger is suspended for cause"
AS soon as the discovery of fingers
second offense was made Stratton
placed the case in the hands of Special
Treasury Agents West and Charming
They referred the facts to the United
States District Attorney, who is absent
from the city. His return is expected
soon and then the charges will be taken
UP.
Unger is a popular man about town,
being member of the Olympic and the
Family clubs. Race track gambling is
given as the cause that led him to go
wrong. He is living at 1416 Fell street
and had been in the Custom house ser
vice for nearly thirty years. He was
in hiding yesterday. To all inquiries
made at his residence the answer was,
Not at home" He was not to be found
at the clubs. He has disappeared from
all his old haunts. Meanwhile the clos
est reticence regarding the affair is OBJ
served by the Federal employees
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7.-Seizure
Clerk Cress Unger of the customs SER
vice at San Francisco has been report
ed here as short in his accounts a few
hundred dollars and has been suspend
ed pending an investigation. Unger was
formerly chief clerk, but was found
faulty, principally on account of
carelessness in the conduct of his work.
and was taken from his place and
given a less responsible position. In his
new position Unger had considerable
opportunity for defalcation or diversion
Of funds, but his shortage, so far as yet
appears, does not amount to a large
sum,