Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-28
ITALIANS CLOG RELIEF v. !. BOOTH Indicted
Earthquake SuHerinqs Multi Fish Trust Magnate Charged
piled by Red Tape With DeceWing Banks.
FUND DISTRIBUTION SLOW FALSE STATEMENT GIVEN
Thousand Still Unfed Uncothed F. Robbins
Without Shelter. Is Jointly Accused.
ONLY TENTH OF MONEY SPENT CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD"
Central
of of
Upon by
Fish Trust Magnate Charged
With Deceiving Banks.
FALSE STATEMENT GIVEN
F. R. Robbins, Assistant Treasurer,
Is Jointly Accused.
CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD"
$500. 900 Procured on Loan by Mis-
statement of Assets-Blame Put
Upon Subordinates by Officers.

CHICAGO. H.. February CIV.
Vernon Booth, president of A. Booth &
Company the so-called fish trust. which
went into the hands Of a receiver last
September. and F. r. Robbins. former
assistant treasurer of the company, were
indicted today.
They, with others. to the grand jury
unknown" are charged with entering into
a conspiracy by means Of which they
secured. "willfully, maliciously. felonious-
ly.'' etc. the sum of 100000 from the
Continental National Bank Of Chicago.
They are jointly indicted in one true
bill. which contains only three counts.
none of them differing substantially.
News CT the grand jury's action created
a sensation in Chicago.
Booth Polo Player.
w Vernon Booth inherited from his
father what is said to be the largest fish
ing business in the world. The elder
Booth was hard working business man
who to his last day could and would.
clean a fish or handle a sail boat with
any OF his employees.
His son, William Vernon. upon his &C
cession to power, was one Of the best
hHOWH pOlO pIdycTS III Inc country, dHO
was socially prominent, not only In Chi
cago, but In the east. Under his leader
ship, CIR at least with his consent, A.
Booth & Company branched out.
Smaller concerns were bought in. Sew
eral years ago the company had grown
to proportions which attracted the at
tention of the United States government.
The firm was brought to trial for &C.
cepting rebates and pleaded guilty to
one count Of the indictment. The case
&c CT Ix, yntt tod
States District Judge Lands.
Mr.. Booth frequently intrusted the
management Of the business to his staff,
apparently believing in common with the
public that the big firm was safe from
financial difficulties. He was a member
Of the Chicago, the Chicago Athletic, the
Chicago Yacht the Chicago Golf, On
wentsia and Union League clubs.
News OF the receivership last Septem-
Der was entirely surprise to the public.
A search for assets was instituted be-
fore Master in Chancery Harvey Booth
in behalf of the creditor banks, to which
the company is alleged to owe large
sums.
100000. Assets. at first supposed to be
sufficient. dwindled steadily as the in
vestigation proceeded and have unofficial
ly been estimated as low as &3,OOO.OOO.
Robbins Acquits Booth.
This investigation has not been con-
| cluded. Sensational testimony. however,
was adduced from F. r. Robbins, who
was indicted with Mr. Booth today.
The witness told startling story OF
| false statements presented to the banks
to bolster up the tottering credit Of the
firm. These statements. by reducing the
figures showing liability and increasing
the assets. Mr.. Robbins said were So
-
affairs.
The statement of July 10, alleged ia
have been presented to the Continental
National Bank, forms the basis OF today S
indictments.
Mr.. Robbins said that when Mr.. Booth
learned that the statement had been made
to the banks, and that II was false. he
insisted that the banks be promptly in
formed of actual conditions. This was
done at a secret meeting in the Continen-
tai National Bank. the witness said.
The whole fabric Of alleged deception
was laid bare. The future of the great
fishing business was thrown on the mercy
Of the bankers.
For a month the secret was kept from
the public. Then came the crash
w. j. Chalmer. appointed receiver tes-
tilted before the grand jury yesterday.
Today the witnesses were Ira NJ. Smith
former vice president and general man.
ager OF the company; Alexander Robert
tional Bank; n. J. Ford. head of the
credits department of the Corn Exchange
National Bank, to which the alleged false
statement is said also to have been pre-
scented, and Mr.. Chalmers.
Error in Indictment.
A clerical error came near to invali-
dating the Indictment The document as
it was brought in to Judge McEwen's
court gave the initials of Mr. Robbins as
Nv. j.
Judge McEwen was leaving the court
room when the mistake was discovered.
The grand jury. which had finished it's
work. was recaptured before 1t left the
building and resumed its session long
enough to correct the error.
Bonds were filed at $4,000 In each case.
but capiases were not issued. 1t was not
regarded necessary at this time as it is
expected the defendants will voluntarily
appear in court next week
R1TTERINE RIYRNS IT'D