The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-26
SCANDAL OF FRENCH
CHURCH FUND GROWS
Further Inquiry Into Dues De-
falcations Lead to Astound-
ing Revelations,
OTHERS NOW INVOLVED
PARIS. March %.

PARIS. March 20
The scandal Of the vanished millions or
the dissolved religious congregations II ~
felt is only beginning. Every one Is mar
Yelling at the audaeity of NJ Duez. the
arrested official liquidation who was able
to get rid OF s., 10000 OF public money In
a remarkably short time.
It's disappearance Is still a mystery. He
gambled on the Bourse. ran bank. took
shares In a music hall or two. and kept
up fine country establishments. but even
these the police think were not sufficient
to have eaten up all the public money
that passed through his hands.
Accounts a Revelation.
In January last when NJ Duez pre-
scented the set of interim accounts to the
Parliamentary Inquiry Commission. he
was able to show that the debit and credit
sides nicely balanced, with sum Of 16
cents to the good. These accounts are in
themselves a revelation. Enormous sums
are charged to law expenses, and many
the plckings.
the members of the Parliamentary In
quiry Commission which has led to the
arrest of NJ. Duez may also be responsible
for the prosecution of six or seven highly
placed officials who are known to have
benefited by his dishonesty. A number
Of other official liquidators are also sus-
pected Of having played fast and loose
with the moneys received from the sales
of properties belonging to the congrega-
TONS and before many days have elapsed
It Is probable that NJ. Duez will have
some of his brother officials to keep him
company at the Sante prison.
He was examined afresh in the after
noon by NJ. Albanei. bnt all the accused
could say was that he had squandered
millions OF francs. He could not specify
the exact sum within a million or two.
He admitted. however, when he took over
the liquidation OF the congregations In
1902 he had already a deficit OF $780, 0C
In his account.
How he ever came to be appointed TO
his post is a puzzle to those unacduatrt-
ed with the devious paths Of French pol
tiles He was formerly an assistant in
Diapers shop, and afetrward obtained q
position as clerk to an official liquidator.
Although he possessed little knowledge OF
business methods. and knew nothing Of
the intrieae4es of finances, he was ap-
pointed to succeed his employer when the
latter retired This was about eight
months before the coming into force OF
the association Law, under which the
religious orders were suppressed.
Had Powerful Influence.
Duex, thanks to powerful influence. had
several of these establishments put into
his hands for liquidation He does not
seem to have been ungrateful. and his
account furnishes admirable proofs OF his
never having forgotten his friends In the
past Among the many documents which
tho police seized was a report OF a GER
tain architect on the value OF the Re-
demptorist monastery and chapel in the
boulevard de Menlmontant. The chapel
alone had cost 500 600. and the value at
the lead roofing was about s12.5oo. But the
expert declared that the building was
absolutely valueless and set II down as
being worth the nominal sum OF one
franc.
The building was afterward leased by
friend OF the liauidator. who let 1t for
$e0O0 year. In connection with the sale
of the Marist Brothers college. M. Duez
Ia asserted to have been benefited to the
extent OF $4,000