The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-12-13
Especial Dispatch to The Call


NEW YORK, Dec. 12.-I asked some
friends Of Patrick Calhoun If the sus-
pension OF the Metropolitan Surety
company had worried the traction man.
They declared 1t had not; for, said
they. Calhoun would have no trouble
in securing bondsmen among the
moneyed men here who are his friends
and who believe in him. They did not
mention any names of such moneyed
friends, but limited that the big bank
ing firm of Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co
would find no difficulty in securing
bondsmen in lieu of the surety COM
pany. They might have added that
Calhoun could secure the active sup
port of the Southern Pacific railroad.
There is hardly a doubt of this, but
IL would not be the part of wisdom to
do so, for obvious reasons.
William T. Herrin. when here cou-
pie Of weeks ago. stopped at the Bel
mont hotel, and was frequently in the
company of Mr.. Calhoun. Thus far
there have been no developments in
the matter Of the acquisition of the
United Railroads by the Hartman in
terests. In traction circles it is the
expectation that the proposition will
be submitted to the next meeting of
the board OF directors of the United
Railroads Investment company
The Metropolitan surety company had
been in a Shaky condition for months,
but it's troubles culmipated recently
when a Chicago court decision COM
PEELED the company to pay Sos, 600. The
company had met with other reverses.
1t has, in fact, always had a hard fight
for existence since its incorporation,
and every now and then fresh capital
has been induced to bolster up its con-
ditfon. The company was organized by
John J. Caulett, and one of its original
incorporators was Andrew Freedman,
prominent Tammany man, who had
been identified with the United States
fidelity and guarantee company, and
whose friendship with Richard Croker
was one of this company's most i'm
portant assets. and in order to get part
of the city's patronage controlled by
Tammany Caulett organized the Metro
politan company. Last year there was
row in the directorate and Caulett
was succeeded by David Mcclure, a
Tammany lawyer, who put some money
into the enterprise, the capital stock
was increased from s250,000 to 100000
and it had a surplus of $3.50, 900. But
the business was bad, and by permis-
sion of the state insurance department
the capital was reduced to its original
amount McCloskey then essayed the
presidency, with the result that few
ance department was called to the fact
that the company's surplus was only
So 000 So it was ordered to quit do
ing business, at least until its capital
and surplus could be again bolstered
up.
The arrest of Congressman Van
Duzer of Nevada by a deputy sheriff
has created the erroneous impression
t,o4 t. .ri, oil oh 90 ms
him. Such is not the case. however.
The only trouble with Van Duzer is one
of long standing, namely, an inability
to pay his debts. His arrest last week
was made on the representation of a
printer, who secured a judgment against
the ex-congressman for $54327, which
had been once returned unsatisfied al
though the printer alleged that Van
Duzer was rich, because he had been
living luxuriously at the Waldorf, Muir
ray Hill and Grand Union hotels. Van
Duzer failed twice TO appear before the
court for examination as to his solvency
and was adjudged in contempt, and he
was arrested on the printers repre-
sentation that he was about TO leave
the state. He employed d. NJ. Delmas
as his counsel.
Van DuZer was a member of congress
from Nevada, 1908 to 1907, two terms
His financial troubles began as soon as
he reached the capital to attend the
first session OF the last congress- No
sooner had he drawn his mileage of
5000 than three private detectives who
had been shadowing him demanded it
IN partial satisfaction of an old debt,
and later in the day capitol policeman
threatened to arrest Van Duzer and
three men who were having a row
about a protested note bearing Van
Duzer's signature. He had already as
signed his salary to satisfy another
creditor.
gress he was selling mining. stock from
an office in the Colorado building at
Washington and from offices in this
city. The fact that he was a mem
Der of congress was featured in his
mining literature.
Three years ago Mrs. John E. Rob-
erts of Philadelphia alleged she had
bought zoo shares OF the Van Duzer
mining stock on his representation
that it would pay per cent monthly
dividends and shes sought to recover
the amount Of her investment through
a collection agency here. She alleged
that stock holders were led to believe
that Congressman Van Duzer was GO
ing to get bill passed creating de-
partment of mining and that Van
Duzer might head the department and
thus get seat in Presidents Roose-
yelt's cabinet.
Van Duzer was elected to the Ne
vada state legislature in 1900, being
chosen speaker of the house of repre-
sentatives. He was elected congress
man in 1902 and when he came up for
reelection in 1904 he had such a hold
on the miners that although Roosevelt
carried Nevada by a larger majority
proportionately than any other state
Van Duzer defeated his republican
opponent.
Van Duzer lived with his wife and
daughter at COL West One Hundred and
Forty second street until October ].
when they moved away. He is now
connected with the Gold Range mining
company.
1t is gossiped here that William Jen-
nings Bryan has finally become con-
WINGED that there is nothing in store
for him, so far as straight out, simon
pure Jeffersonian democracy is con-
cerned- His loss of several southern
states has convinced him of this. But
that he has by no means abandoned his
presidential ambition is evidenced by
his recent editorial remarks in the