The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-10
MOUNTING HIGHER
Shortage in Accounts Of Charles
l.. Warriner
Continues to Grow as InyeSti
CATION Proceeds.
OFFICES TO BE MOVED.
The Contemplated Change From
Cincinnati to Chicago
Will Be Put into Effect by the
Big Four Officials.

Cincinnati, O., Nov. 10.-With the
shortage mounting higher as further
penetration is made into the tangled
affairs of the Big -Four railroads I'M
ancial department, experts in charge
of the examination today probed into
the matter Of securities and bond is
sues which came under the charge OF
Charles L. Warriner, deposed treasur-
er-who is accused of responsibility for
defalcation amounting to $643,OO0
of the company's funds.
Inasmuch as the shortage has
grown in a few days from what was
supposed to be about 100000 to
$643.0OO. still further developments
along this line would not be astonish-
ing to those who are apparently in
close touch with the affairs of the
railroad company. One of the deVel-
opments of the Warriner exposure, 1t
is hinted here today, is likely to be
the early removal of the general Big
Four offices from this city to Chicago.
This change had been rumored for
sometime past. but was denied by
railroad officials. The Warriner de-
nouement, however it is asserted
will serve to hasten what was, already
practically decided upon. 1t is learn
ed today that Warriner in his state
ment to his superiors told them that
when he came here from the Cleve-
land office of his company, he brought
to grow till it was swelied to 100000 be-
his accounts at Cleveland.
His downfall he dates from that
event, ne having covered that shortage
man who he alleges has blackma1led
him ever since. This shortage continued
to grow till it was swelled to $4,000 be-
fore he realized his position.
From a high official source IT is learn
ed that the first intimation of the i'm
nending scandal in the office of the To-
cal treasurer of the Big -Four came
through a Chicago woman. who 1t is al
legged. mad been sharing in the i'll
G cotten spoiIs and whose income mad
been shut off
was not credited and Melville ingalls,,
chairman of the board of the Big Four,
declared today that for several days 1t
was almost impossible for hlm 10 De
1ieve there could be anything wrong
with Warrner. notwithstanding nasty
which had been made by
some of the higher officials of the com
many, and which brought to light the
first facts of the shortage
Woman in the Case Is Found.
Through the taking out of attach
ment papers, seeking to recover certain
goods sold to her by a department store
in this city, the woman mentioned DJ
Warriner as one of his alleged black
mailers. was discovered in an apart
ment house here today
The woman is well known here and
in Chicago. where she figured in a
number Of affairs. She has been vol
1Intary prisoner since the developments
in connection with the Big Four short
age.
While in Chicago she was defend
ant in a prosecution in which she was
charged with having attempted to shoot
a man, the latter being also named by
warriner in connection with the al
legged blackmatl-
Detectives discovered that large
amount of mail is awaiting this woman
AZ a. leading hotel, she having left therf
some time ago without giving any for
warding address. 1t was stated also
she had deposited at the hotel large
amount of money. 1t is not knoWn
there will be any effort to ascertain the
source of this money.
M. e. ingalls, and others today en-
phatically absolved Frank ComstocH.
WARMERS predecessor. of any re-
sponsibility for the shortage. Mr.. In
gals stated while Comstock was asked
TO resign it was not because of any
irregularity.