Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-24
FITZGERALD OUT ON BAIL;
DENIES ALL WRONGDOING
Friends Believe Him Innocent
Private Detective Worked
Up the Case.

CHICAGO. August A.-George w. Fftz-
ssrald. arrested yesterday on a charge
C stealing $173, 600 in United States funds
from Assistant United States Treasurer
William Boldenweck February 90 1907
was admitted to bail today by Judge
Chetlain.
Counsel for the defendant pleaded for
"a immediate hearing. The court post
Ioned the examination until August 81. to
allow the states attorney to collect fur
t:ler evidence.
Il have not nickel that does not be-
l1ng to me-. Fitzgerald said to reporters
He gave 10 his attorneys an elaborate
eNpla nation of the money he had used liz
speculation. When he was discharged
.fom the government employ he declared
fe had 5000. his wife possessed about
$1,000. and. later, he inherited between
5000 and 5000
His egg speculations began with an in
vestment OF only 500. he asserted. as he
Rad only to put up sufficient margins to
cover probable fluctuations of prices This
Ceal netted him 800. He then interest ed
s-veral others. and together they made
Up pool of 5000 by the use of which
tley made some profit.
As to the house he purchased, he said
L was offered for $3.50. with $4,000
mortgage He and Mrs. Fitzgerald Sc
'ured the property by paying down 81 300
The evidence against Fitzgerald was
t;orked up by a private detective agency
20 move was made by the government
authorities i'm court today. A representa-
tive Of the United States district attor-
tey's office. however. was present.
Arrest Ridiculous, Says Attorney.
Edward r. Litzinger. formerly a candi-
cate for the office Of states attorney and
an intimate friend and counsel of Fitz-
gerald, while refusing to go into details
df the case. expressed his belief in his
clients innocence. and termed the arrest
ridiculous and absurd
Absolutely and unequivocally, / and
stll of Fitzgerald's friends declare him in
Isocent of the crime with which he is
charged" he said. Not oRly is he inno-
cent, but he has absolutely no knowledge
IS to who stole that money, If IL was
stolen.
Il have known him for twenty years
personally. He is a good man morally
and socially All his friends will stand
by him until he is shown to be innocent.
with regard to conversations alleged
II, have taken place before the arrest and
While the arrest was made which would
throw suspicion on Fitzgerald, i, in his be-
ifalf. deny. | spent a great part of Sun
cay with him and believe him innocent
When asked about the rumor that Fitz-
gerald had Speculated heavily on the egg
r.:arket. LitZinger said:
That story is absurd. The extent of
tzgerald's specu1ations is about $4,000.
1 do not think that indicates the stealing
Ct money from the suotreasury.
1t is said continued the attorney.
'ihat the fact that Fitzgerald bought a
louise valued at $500 is suspicious cir
constance. The fact is that there is an
ilcumbrance on that house of 81 900, and
the rest OF the money came from his own
Pocket and that of his wife. Any man of
the financial standing Of Fitzgerald could
Lave done the same.
Negotiations for House.
Miles J.. Barber from whom Fitzgerald
bought the Rogers Park residence, said
that Fitzgerald. after brief negotiations,
paid ABOUT 81 900 in cash. chiefly in bills
~ small denominations. and something
,ess than $1,000 in drafts on Chicago
=.ank. The rest of the consideration.
bout $4,000, he said. was assumed by
s'itzgerald in the form of a mortgage on
the property
There is a strong suspicion that the
government will take no hand in the
prosecution of Fitzgerald and that the
.:ase will have 10 lie. it does now, in
she states attorneys Office.
The warrant on which Fitzgerald was
arrested was sworn out by Detective
Ioung before Judge Chetlain. and SIM
aly accuses the former subtreasurer EN-
aloye OF stealing the S113.0OO from Will
fTv.ntir,,ad on Sacon6 DaDoN