Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
.EMBEzzLES COMPANY FUNDS
ALLEGED CONFESSION OF Jo-
SEPH A. HARTMAN.
Accused Man Will Have Hearing in
Police Court Short
in Accounts 5000.

His appearance indicating that he was
telling only the truth. Joseph A. Hartman
entered police headquarters late yesterday
afternoon and said he had been on q
protracted spree for about six weeks. Hart
man is thirty-two years of age and resides
it is stated. at 1908 West Lanvale street.
Baltimore. He surrendered to Detectives
Parham and O'Brien, and, it is alleged, adj
mitted that he was short in his accounts as
manager of the Columbia Guarantee Com
pany. The Office of the company is at 613
street northwest and, 1t is stated, the
company also controls the affairs Of the
Household Loan Company, with offices at
GIG F streets northwest.
Hartman, who Is unmarried. was sent
by the detectives to the sixth precinct
police station to be held for a hearing In
the Police Court tomorrow morning. He
stated, it is alleged, that he thought he
was about 500 short in his accounts and
that his absorption of the funds covered
period of about five years. Nathaniel ker-
sey, who is one of the principal hackers
of the companies, stated to the police that
he thought Hartman had been appropri-
ating the funds only during the past year
Mr.. Kersey, who lives at 21S North
Eutaw street, Baltimore, was In this city
yesterday afternoon looking after the
affairs Of the company and he called at
police headquarters in response to mes
sage from the detectives. He declined,
however, to see Hartman. Friends OF the
self-accused man say he has been indulging
in strong drink for several months. and
some of them declared they were not sur
prised when they heard he had surrendered
and admitted that he was short in his ac-
counts. His employer also expressed him.
self as not surprised when informed by
the detectives of the admissions that had
been made by his local MANAGER
Was Trusted Employe.
Hartman had been in the employ of the
company for several years. He was re-
garded as competent and faithful en-
ploye until he became addicted to drink, and
even then It was not suspected that he was
manipulating the accounts.
When Mr.. Kersey reached police head
quarters he had with him the record evil
dence Of the alleged populations of Hart
man. This consisted of a number of tickets
which were placed in the safe OF the
company to represent the cash that Hart
man is alleged to have taken. They aggre-
gated about the sum the young man ad-
mitted he had appropriated. 1t is stated
the shortage will not affect the business
or standing of the company in any manner
whatever. After the detectives had ques-
toned the prisoner they sent him to the
police station. He will be held until he
can be arraigned in court tomorrow unless
bond for his appearance is furnished.
In Nervous Condition.
Hartman was in an extremely nervous
condition when he called at police head
quarters. Maj. Sylvester was informed Of
his condition and he directed that he be
given a bed in the witness room at the
police station and that an officer be sta
toned in the room with him. Bicycle
Policeman Samuel Gibson was assigned to
spend the early hours of the night with
him, and he was relieved later in the night
by another member of the sixth precinct
squad.
When seen at the police station by a
Star reporter, Hartman said he had no
statement to make about his case. He
said he thought the people in Washington
were not interested in him and he did not
care to see anything printed about his
troubles.
Mr.. Kersey returned to Baltimore late
yesterday afternoon and, it is believed, no.
titled Hartman's relatives of his arrest.