Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-30
For Larceny from Northern
Bank Of New York.
Washington Savings Bank, I
Robin Bank, Is Closed.
State Supi. Of Banks Cheney IN
sWers Criticisms.

New York, Dec. 29.--It took the grand
jury Just one hour this afternoon to In
dict Joseph G. Robin on a charge OF the
larceny of 1000 from the washington
Savings Bank of which he was prest-
dent. The bank passed into the hands
of the state banking department this
afternoon, there to keep company with
the Northern Bank Of New York OF
whose executive committee he was
chairman and with which his name has
been hitherto prominently connected.
The district attorney explained that
out of a mass of evidence, drawn from
the records of both institutions he had
chosen the charge that he thought
could be presented most simply to-, q
jury. "a
Robin was Immediately placed under
arrest at the home of his sister. DR..
Louise Robinovitch, but his arra1gn-
ment was postponed until tomorrow,
when he must give bail in $4,000 or go
to jail. pending either trial or deter
mination of his sanity. Technically,
Robin is insane now.
The order of commitment signed by
Justice Amend at the request of Dr..
Roninovitch and on the certitcation OK
other physicians, still stands, although
tie private sanatorium to which Robin
was taken refused to receive him. IhiS
lunacy finding is the thing that COM
plicates the case" said District Attor-
new Whitman today. "If Mr.. Jerome
would consent to waive that finding 1t
would greatly simplify matters"
William Travers Jerome. who has
,,oda hiS Qtti-
tudc toward this request plain imme-
diEtely.
NV suggestion to the court Is this"
he said. THAT physician appointed by
the district attorney, in conjunction with
one / have suggested, make q physical
and mental examination OF the patient.
If 1t appears he is sufficiently able to
appear in court he can be brought here
to answer to the indictment. He Is now
ward of the supreme court. II he Is
found responsible just what course Is
wise to pursue is left to subsequent de-
termination. His person Is secure
II suggest that an examination first be
made and that it's result shall determine
what Is to be done with him. II his con-
dition requires immediate incarceration
in some institution for the insane he
should be incarcerated Immediately"
Accordingly Robin drove up tonight In
his automobile to his sisters home. A
bench warrant was Immediately served
on hin, and Dr. Austin Flint, one of the
physicians who previously examined him.
and Dr. William B. Mabon, superinten-
dent of the Manhattan State Asylum for
the Insane, began an inquiry into his
p tol L. End.
ings would be made known until they
were presented to the court tomorrow.
The Indictment against Robin was bas.
ed on information sworn to by Frederick
X. Morris, formerly his confidential en-
| ploye. 1t charges that the Washington
| Savings Bank, of which Robin was pres
! ident, was induced by his representations
| to draw to his order to checks aggregat-
| ing $4,000 In consideration Of two partici-
patton agreements purporting to give the
bank an equivalent interest In mort
gage executed by the Fidelity Develop
nent Co. one of the string Of compa-
mics promoted by Robin, in favor f the
| title & Guarantee Co. Of Rochester.
which Robin controlled through his own
ership Of the Aetna Indemnity Co.
NO such mortgage" said the dis
trict attorney today. "as Is described.
was executed by the Fidelity Devel-
opmt mt Co..
These participation agreements
continued the district attorney, were
signed by Anthony stumpf vice pres
ident, and by William v. Lornax. Sec
rotary Of the Title and Guarantee Co
Two checks in exchange for then
one for $35, 600 and the other for $780,
900 were deposited to the credit o.
the Title and Guarantee Co.
Further indictments are expected Il
follow the taking charge of the, Wash
ington Savings Bank by the stat
banking department. -.
1T was understood that negotia'
tions were in progress this afternoon
looking toward the purchase Of tn.
Aetna Indemnity CO. of Hartford
Conn.,. by New York syndicate. Blu
the decision of the syndicate coui'
not be learned tonight.
Albany, N. Y, Dec. 25.--In state
ment issued tonight, o. H. Cheney
state superintendent of banks, defend
his department from editorial criti
cisms Of alleged delinquency in asccr
tanning the condition of the Norther
Bank of New York and tells somethin
OF the investigation Of concerns /
which Joseph G. Robin was interested
In reply to suggestion that informa
ton leading to the. ultimate susper
sion Of the bank had to be called I
the attention Of his department b
the insurance department which we
investigating the Aetna Indemnity Cs
; in which Robin was Interested. M
, Cheney says examiners were placed
the bank and its nine branches tw
, days before the insurance departing,