The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-19
Committee Asks Aid in Pun
iShing Alleged Political
GrafterS.
PLAN TO CLEAN UP
PENNSYLVANIA TOWN
Big Politicians Said TO Be Involved.
President Will Have
Investigation.

President Roosevelt was appealed 20
today to give his assistance in clean
ing up what was declared TO be 1.-The
most politically debaUched city in the
United States"
The appeal was made by a committee
from Waynesburg, Pa, consisting OF
n. W. Sayers. 4. P. Moore, and e. c.
Norris. These men placed before the
President a mass Of documentary evil
deEce which, they said, showed con-
clusively that the Farmers and Drovers
National Bank, which was placed IN the
hands OF a receiver a little more than
two years ago, was driven into bank
ruptcy because Of corrupt political
meth DDS and the brazen manner in
which the banks funds were used to
buy votes.
J. B. Rheinhart. formerly cashier Of
the bank, is out on bail of $4,000,
charged with Wrecking the bank. anu
the committee which saw the President
today expressed the fear that unless he
is speedily brought to trial he will es-
cape because Of the statute Of limita-
ton President Roosevelt expressed
himself as being greatly interested in
the matter, ana he requested the At
tOrney General 10 give the subject i'm
mediate consideration.
Would Involve Many
MI Moore said that the bank failed
for S1.5OO.CO0. and that if the depositors
were ever successful in bringing the
case 20 trial IL would be shown that
some prominent politicians in Pennsyl-
vania would be involved in a scandal
which could not possibly be worse
Among the evidence presented to the
President were several sample ballots.
on the back of which was written an
order on the bank 10 the bearer. These
ballot slips served the purpose Of checks
and were distributed at the polls MIR.
Moore said that at an election for a
county judge $4,000 was spent in buy
Ing votes.
When the polls opened. Mr.. Moore
told the President, the election looked
close and during the early hours as
high as $500 was paid for a promise
TO vote right As the day wore on, the
price gradually decreased until shortly
before the polls closed votes were
bought for 80. Judge Ingle was elected,
but Mr. Moore said that there was no
intention TO connect him with the cor
Tuption In any way; in fact, he said he
believed that the judge had no knowl-
edge Of what was going on at the polls.
The majority OF these votes were pur-
chased with checks which were written
on the back Of the ballots
President interested.
The President was deeply interested
in the matter. and informed the commit
tee that he would do everything in his
power 20 aid them. He accordingly. sent
a telegram to the United States District
Attorney, suggesting that the case
against Rheinhart be brought 10 trial
Immediately. A telegram also was sent
TO the United States judge in the dis
trict, stating that the Government
would appreciate an immediate trial
without further delay OF any kind
Later in the day Attorney General
Bonaparte called at the White House
at the request of the President. The
Attorney General said on leaving that
as q result Of the charges alleging dila-
toriness in bringing the case TO trial
an investigation would be made.
Want Trial Pushed.
Mr.. Moore said that the depositors
had tried In vain to have the prose-
cutiCn Of the alleged bank loOters push
ed, but had been so unsuccessful that
there was now grave danger that the
men supposed to be guilty would es-
cape after the three-year limit had ex-
pired.