Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-02
PFISTER MAKESASTATEMEN1
Milwaukee Capitalist Explains Transaction
on Which Indictment is Based
ACTED ONLY AS CUSTODIAN OF FUND
Money Paid out as Directed by Rem
dering COmpany-NO Portion of it
Stolen or Used for Cor
Fupt Purposes.

MILWAUKEE,, Sept. 1.-Charles F. Pts
ter, the capitalist who was indicted three
weeks ago by the grand jury on the charge
Of having stolen $4,000 which had been
placed in his hands by the Wisconsin
Rendering company, will make public to-
morrow morning a statement showing the
manner in which the SOS 900 which he had
held for the company was dsbursed. After
the indictment was returned the president
of the rendering company denied that Mr.
Pfster had msappropriated any OF It's
money and since then the company has
made full payment on notes held against It
by Mr.. Pfster without offering any counter
claim. The insinuation, however, has been
circulated that the money, II not misap-
propriated was used for corrupt purposes
by Mr.. Pfster. The statement now issued
is corroborated by the bank record show
ing Mr.. Phster's personal account, by a
statement signed by President F. G. Geness.
Joseph Schan and Louis Schoyer of the
Wisconsin Rendering company, and also by
a statement signed by John ]. Crilley, the
contractor to whom most Of the money was
paid.
MIR. CriIIey's Explanation.
Mr. Crllley, in acknowledging the pay
ments to him, explains that at the time the
city contract was awarded to his firm he
found himself unable to enter into the con-
tract on account OF lack of funds. He then
entered into an agreement. with the Wis
consin' Rendering company, which had an
established plant at Mequon, that If that
company would put up $4,000 with some re-
sponsible man, out of which was to be paid
the expenses CTilley was put to In connec-
ton with the contract, the work would be
turned over 10 the rendering company. Mr..
Phster was selected as the custodian OF
this fund. He had no interest with any OF
the bids and paid out the money in accord
ance with the orders OF the parties inter
ested and had nothing to do with it fur
ther. None Of this money, Crilley states,
was used for unlawful purposes.
The payments show conclusively that Mr..
Phster did not steal any of the rendering
companys money and also that he did not
use any Of It in an improper manner. A
supplemental statement by Mr.. Phster's
attorneys discloses the fact that when the
grand jury had the indictment undrr CON
sideration two Of its members, together
with District Attorney f. +. McGovern,
visited the First National bank and there
received Mr. PhsteT's permission TO eX-
anime his account. They found the entry
showing the deposit OF $4,000 on July 10,
1897, but apparently disregarded entries on
the same page showing the payments OF
Sc. 600 and 5000 respectively 70 Crilley, nor
did they call upon Mr.. Phster for any ex-
PLANTATION, which would readily have pu.
them in possession OF facts showing the
charge Of theft to be without foundation.
The statement now Issued seems to show
there is no basis either for the indictment
on a charge OF larceny, nor for the accusa-
tions that the money had by Mr.. Phster
was used by him corrupty.
MIR. Phster's Statement.
Mr. Phster's statement showing the dis
! hursements Is as follows:
| on July 10. 1897. F. c. Gross. president OF
/ the Wisconsin Rendering company, placed
! In my hands S25C00. This money was paid
out bv me "a follows.
I August 8. 1897 TO John j. Crillcy. i,Cll
/ August Z, 1897 10 John J. Crilley....... 5000
october "a. 1891 70 Miller, Moves
In 1897 and 1s9s 10 F. c. Gross. ......... 1900
! March 30. 1901 to First National bank