Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30
CHARGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Preliminary Hearing Before U. S.
Commissioner Taylor.
PLEA OF NOT GUILTY ENTERED
Amount of Alleged Shortage Placed
at $40, O,Ooo-Defendant Had Con-
fdence of His superiors.


cashier In the city post office, who was ar
rested last night charged with the embez-
element of $4,000 belonging to the govern
ment, was taken before United States
Commissioner Arson S. Taylor this morn
ing and held for the grand jury after plead
ing not guilty and waving preliminary
examination. Bail was fixed in the sum
of 5000. McWhorter was unable to fur
nish bond at the time and was placed in
charge of Deputy Marshal Sprngman. BY
arrangement with Attorney W. H. Robe
son, who represented McWhorter, the pris-
oner was allowed to remain some time in
the custody of the marshal in order to give
counsel opportunity to arrange for
surety.
McWhorter was arrested on the complaint
of Postmaster John A. Merritt, to whom.
according to the admission of the defendant
a confession was made in the office of Mr..
Robson. In the Bond building. The charge
entered against his name on the books of
the first precinct station, where he was
locked up for the night, was that of en-
bezzlement This morning a warrant was
sworn out before Commissioner Taylor at
the instance of Post Office Inspector Frank
r. Barclay. This charges the defendant
with embezzling and converting to his own
use money to the amount of $4,000, which
had come into his possession and under his
control in connection with his duties as
SlStant cdSnler IN the post once Inc war
rant was drawn under the act of February
3, 1879. United States statutes.
Proceedings Brief
The proceedings before the United States
commissioner were brief, consisting in the
reading of the charge, the pleading and the
disposition of the case. Attorney Robson
appeared for the defendant, and the gov
ernment was represented by Assistant
-Dtt tnI Ctat NJ IN
While awaiting the result of the efforts Of
counsel to secure bond McWhorter was seen
by reporter for The Star and asked con-
corning the charges against him. He stated
that ne had admitted to Postmaster Merritt
that he had embeZzled the money. AS to
other matters In that connection McWhorter
was taciturn, saying that his counsel would
speak for him If there was any statement
to make. He admitted. however, that the
amount was $4,000.
Declines to Make Statement.
When seen after the hearing Mr. Robson
stated that in view of the fact that the
defendant had pleaded not guilty he would
prefer not to discuss at that time any ad-
missions made by his client Mr.. Robson
said, however, that he was aware that
Mcwhorter had laid the whole matter be-
fore the postmaster. pointing out wherein
the accounts were short. Mr. Robson had
HOlHfJlS " Say III iSiSISICe W
for the defense.
1t was stated today that the alleged de-
falca tions extended over a period of two
years. McWhorter had been in the postal
service for twelve years and was considered
a reliable and efficient clerk From the
position of substitute mailing clerk at the
Sd street station he was gradually pro-
NOTED until he was made assistant cashier.
He had charge Of the postal funds in con-
nection with money orders, stamps, etc.
In this position it is estimated at the de-
partment that he handled about $100O,0O0
a year. 1t is said that owing to the con-
fidence in which he was held by his su-
periors II Is not surprising that irregulari-
ties could have crept into the accounts OF
the assistant cashier without their detection
by others.
1t is stated that Mcwhorter recently
heard that the books were to be inspected
today. incident to the change of postmas-
ters. He went early last night to the of
inspection would show. 1t is understood
that the attorney advised him to lay the
whole matter before the postmaster,
which was done without delay
Mr.. Merritt, after being appraised of the
situation over the telephone, went to the
office of Mr.. Robson, stopping on his
way by the first precinct station, where
ie was Joined by Sergt Lohman and Off,
Ger Curry. McWhorter was taken into
custody at the Bond building.
Meets Wife by Appointment
While he was being conducted to the
station he asked and received permission
to see his wife, who was then at the
home of her parents on sth street be-
tween K and l. streets. A short confer
eEce between the couple occurred at the
door of the residence. during which the
officers stood to one side. McWhorter, Il
Is understood, revealed the whole situa-
tion to his wife. Their home is at 1913
Lamont avenue. AT the station McWhor-
ter's age was given as thirty-two years
When locked in cell the prisoner threw
himself on the floor In an attitude of
deep detection.
The intelligence of the arrest OF McWhor-
ter came as great surprise to his fellow
clerks and his immediate superiors In the
post office. Mr.. Madison Davis, the assist
ant postmaster, had II ii stated shared the
general confidence in the assistant cashier
and was shocked to hear of the affair.
fondness for the races Is attributed by
friends of McWhorter the cause OF. his
Industrious. and was generally favorite in
the office. He has an intelligent and rather
youthful appearance. His near relatives it
is stated. do not live IN this city, but he has
made his home here for the greater portion
OF his life. Neither he nor his attorney
had any statement to make as to the possi-
bility OF any restitution or as to what dis
position had been made OF the money which,
by his confession McWhorter had diverted
from the government channels.