The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-05

its first meeting of the year, Tuesday
morning. called on former County
Treasurer Forbes Robertson, now
member OF the board of auditors, TO
make good the $661.SS, which his cash
Ter, Anthony j. Schultz. stole from the
funds in his keeping. Formal demand
will be made on Mr.. Robertson for the
money by letter. which, as the new
secretary OF the board, Mr.. Robertson.
would ordinarily be called on TO die
tate. Under the circumstances. how
ever, one of his associates may relieve
him OF the unpleasant duty. The sit
ua1ion Is without q precedent In the
annals of Wayne county.
What will you do about it?" Mr..
Robertson was asked.
well. l suppose it's up to me to
SETTLE" was the reply.
IT will see the bonding company
about the matter this afternoon. How
ever. wish you wouldn't say any
thing about II just yet. Schultz may
make the amount good himself"
In the opinion OF some of the coun-
.ty officials. Robertson may be COM
PEELED to stand the loss personally.
notwithstanding that he Is protected
by Schulte's bond OF $4,000. running
to him and issued by the Massachu-
sets Bonding & Insurance Co. II Is
possible. the officials say, that the
bonding company may contest pay
ment on the ground that il was kept
in ignorance of Schulte's defalcation
a year ago. This remains to be seen,
however Harry Hanford, represent
ing the bonding company. refused TO
be quoted on the proposition, Tuesday.
Mr.. Robertson, as treasurer, was I'M
der bond of $150,000 to the county,
the Title Guaranty & Surety Co.. or
Scranton. Pa. acting as surety. This
bond runs until July /. 1909. so the
county is amply protected. In any
event, the county Is pretty sure OF
getting that 1861, and the taxpayers
whose checks went to cover up
Schulte's defalcation will get their re-
ceipts in time. Just now they are In
possession of the county auditors and
the being held az evidence against
Schultz, whose examination on the
charge Of approprlating the 1861 to
his own use has been set for Jan. IL.
Mr.. Buhrer Embarrassed.
In making his motion calling on
Robertson to make good. Auditor
Buhrer explained that he was placed
in rather a delicate position. but felt
that the circumstances were such as
to demand this action on his part. he
said. Auditor Oakman asked II there
was any evidence that the defalcation
occurred under Mr.. Robertson's adj
ministration, and Mr.. Buhrer showed
that all OF the checks in questions
went through the deposit on Dec. 81
to make up Schultes balance. Mr..
Robertson offered no evidence to con-
trovert Mr.. Buhrer's assertions. and
sat for the most part In rather en-
barrassed silence. Mr.. Oakman sup
ported the motion and IL was carried
with his vote and Buhrer's, Robertson,
at that moment, being engrossed in
his minutes.
Part Of Shortage is Cash.
Incidentally It transpired that the
$1l5.69 paid by George H. Giles 4 Co
to Schultz, and which was a part OF
the 1861 appropriated by him was In
cash, and but for Schulte's confession
the firm might have some difficulty in
establishing the fact that II had paid
its taxes, as there is nothing TO show
that Schultz received the money
Schultz, In this instance, simply stuck
Mr.. Gies' money in one pocket and
the tax receipt in another, and the
cash, therefore, never saw the inside
OF the money drawer; at least It was
never entered up. Had Schultz denied
taking this money IL would have been
his word against Mr.. Giles AS II
stands now. the latter's statement that
he paid In the money Is substantiated
by Schulte's confession and H. is w
to Mr.. Robertson to make good the
$115 along with the balance OF the
1861.
Mr.. Gics was told, as were the 9TH
ers when they handed in their checks,
that the receipts would be fixed up and
mailed later Fred Toepel. Gratiot-
ave. hardware dealer, was one OF
those who gave Schultz n check. He
went TO the treasurer's office on the
morning OF Dec. 81 and found the
place TANNED. He saw Schultz IN the
cashiers cage and made inquiries, he
says, as to how long he would have 10
wait Whereupon, he says. Schultz
volunteered to look after IL. He then
handed In his check and asked for his
receipt.
I'll fix II up and mail II TO you la
ter" Schultz replied, according 70
Tocpel. and the latter, having known
Schultz personally, took him at his
word.
Changes Combination Of Safe.
Since Schultes discharge. Acting
| Treasurer Waldo has had the combin
alton on tho vault and safe in the
treasurer Office changed. Every
night since Waldo took charge, the
vault has been under the guard of d
policeman, I'm addition to the precau
| ton afforded by time lock-
1T didn't propose 10 take any
chances?" Waldo explained.
The auditors, in conformity with the
announcement made Monday, voted &c
! institute thorough investigation OF
the county treasurer's office. and Mr.
Buhrer submitted n resolution asking
the chairman OF the committee OF ways
and means OF the board of supervisors
! TO call meeting forthwith. Auditor
Robertson seconded the motion and Il
was carried unanimously.
An interesting little incident in con
lnectIon with Forbes Robertson's pres
tent bond as county treasurer came Il
light. Tuesday. Robertson entered
Iupon his second term as county treas
lurer in July 1907, and, according q
lMr. Buhrer, served without giving