Evening star., 1909-05-08

John C. Davis, a lawyer Of the Wash.
ington bar. is in a peck OF trouble, and 10
in Jail, with his picture and measure
taken according to the Bertillon system
for the rogues' gallery.
His brother, Marvin T. Davis. secretary
Of the Potomac Building and Loan Com
pany, is also in custody.
Obtaining money under false pretenses
is the specific charge under which the
lawyer is held. and Miss Nettie Nc
Keown OF Cincinnati. his accuser. de-
clares she is the loser Of S. 500 through a
transaction with the prisoner. which she
complains Of as fraud practiced upon
her.
But this is not the worst. There Is more
to come when other complaints, involv-
ing matter of $4,000. to this time. and
the end not yet, are formally entered as
| charges against the lawyer.
Added to the representations of attor-
neys whose clients have these claims
| against the prisoner, and who have ad-
vised the prosecuting officers Of the court
of the transactions. there are writer's OF
| letters, found in numbers in the pockets
of Davis when put under arrest. who
indicate that they. too. want account
ing for funds due them in his possession.
Davis will not discuss these dealings
which have caught him in the nav OF
the law. Arrested, he asked for Bible
and hymn book. to help him to pass the
tedium of time in prison cell. offered
the police half a million dollars. which he
failed to find in his pockets when he pro-
posed to so dispense this trifle. and then
proceeded to maintain reticence.
He has brother, Morton T. Davis. sec
retary of the Potomac Building and Loan
Association. of 516 18th street northwest.
1t was in the company of this brother, as
he alighted from his carriage last night
that the detectives arrested the accused
man.
This was after search which failed to
discover Davis at his home or office, the
shadowing by the detectives of the broth
er, In the justified hope that it would
lead to the trail. and a chase through
the streets, the police in a cab following
liiC sciiCic III WHICH the OTOtuerS were
riding.
No Cash in Safe.
Give me my Bible and prayer book;
that's all l want" said j. c. Davis. as he
stood in the midst of his dismantled Office
where the detectives, in serving a search
warrant taken out by United States At
torney Baker. had strewn his papers and
belongings all about the room.
Changing quickly his demeanor. Davis
gave evidences of mental arrangement
He declared emphaticaliy that his safe
the first precinct station by detectives
contained $1,000 and, houghtily request
ing his check book, offered TO settle in
full the claims of attorneys who were
present with the officers.
But when the safe was opened no $780,
| 600 appeared. Not even 81 was found.
Neither were there stocks, bonds or other
! securities.
| A few deeds were reposing in the safe.
| II is thought no available assets are rep
resented by the legal documents.
Before the search warrant was secured
ceived information which led him TO be-
lieve that a common law conspiracy
charge should be filed against Davis and
his brother, Martin T. Davis. secretary OF
the Potomac Building and Loan Associa-
tion.
was that a scheme was supposed to be In
operation between the brothers whereby.
when alleged victims of John c. Davis
began to press. for settlement, Martin L.
Davis. at the request Of his brother.
would issue passbooks of the assocta-
note. which was hei- by the investor.