Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-02
FEAR PLAN TO ESCAPE
Baltimore Officials Suspicious
of William F. Downs.
FIX BOND IN SUM OF $50, 900
As Further .Precaution Prepare a
Third Warrant.
NOT TO ESCAPE PROSECUTION
States Attorney Makes a Declare
tion-Auditors Begin Work on
Books-Amount Of Shortage.

| Special Dispatch to The Star.
| BALTIMORE, April Estates Attorney
Owens this afternoon charged that plans
had been made to permit the escape of
William F. Downs, the city employe ac-
| cused of embezzlement. who will be given
a hearing this afternoon at the Central
police station. In order to prevent the
escape of the prisoner in the event that
he should secure the $4,000 bail demand
ed. the states attorney had a third war
rant prepared charging Downs with the
| larceny of $1,000 from the National Bank
of Commerce February 10 last.
Downs was on bail under $4,000 on a
charge of the larceny of $1,000 to appear
for hearing yesterday morning. Una
ware of the extent of the alleged pecu-
lations. Mr.. Owens Wednesday had not
entered personally into the matter until
called by telephone by City Solicitor
Poe about o'clock in the evening. He
fastened to his Office, where the full ex-
tent of the shortage in the registers Office
was unfOlded to him. The bail bond was
scanned.
A
| larency," was Mr.. Owens order. and de-
tectives were sent scurrying in every di-
rection.
Downs with Attorney Wolf just as they
were leaving the home of the elder
Downs.
Not to Escape Prosecution.
That Downs shall not escape prosecu-
ton was the declaration made bS Mr..
Owens today.
mo case that has ever arisen in this
city has received more attention from the
prosecuting officials than this" the states
attorney said. land no stone has been left
unturned or will be left uns2rneI to Sc
cure the conviction and punishment of
Downs He will be prosecuted to the full
satisfaction Of every person and the tax
payers of Baltimore may rest assured that
their interests will not be neglected in the
slightest degree as far as the states at
torney'S office is concerned"
Acting under instructions Of Mayor Ma
hoOl four auditors appeared at the city
hall at 10 o'clock and Immediately began
auditing the books in City Register
Thomas department.
After going through the bank books AS
countant Colburn directed his men to first
pay attention to the bank book of the
National Mechanics Bank. from which In
StltutlOn DOWnS IS alIeSeu 10 nave StOleu
more than $4,000. In this book, it is
claimed. several alterations have been
made. which caused the books to balance
| with those in the city registers office.
Limit Of Shortage, $67 900.
The accountants, it is stated. will know
| the exact amount of the deficits before
| they cease work today.
| Deputy City Register Newman explained
| this morning that Downs alleged defal-
cations could not possibly amount to
more than s67 900. as that is the difference
| between what the municipality has in
bank at this time and the amount the
books show should be in bank.
1T is impossible for anybody to tell
just how far back the trouble goes"
Deputy Register Newman stated. I'VE
know almost for q certainty that Downs
alleged populations will not amount to
more than SCI. OOO and it may be that they
will total much less.
THE only thing now to be determined
is how long the alleged thefts have been
going on. We don't know, for we haven't
traced the books far enough. This Is for
the auditors to determine"
The grand jury today reported an in
dictment containing thirty-five counts
! against Downs. charging him with the
| larceny of $2S,5S0 of the citys money.
This amount, however, does not repre-
sent the total of the money known to be
missing.