The Washington herald., 1910-03-28

Pittsbwg. March 2.-Uneasiness was
shown in Pittsburg on all sides to-day
in anticipation of to-morrows develop
ments. when directors Of the big national
banks which hold city deposits will be
called before the courts and asked on
their oaths TO tell what they know about
their banks buying the city deposits for
cash from the city councilmen.
Pursuance Of the graft investigation to-
day uncovered that for some years graft
ing members of Pittsburg councils. about
sixty in number, met weekly in parlors
of a big downtown hotel, and there be-
hind closed doors. discussed what had
been offered by certain firms for the pas
sage Of certain ordinances. what would be
charged. SC This weekly meeting was
called "the caucus" and was attended
by all former members Of councils who
are now in the tolls.
Caucus Methods Bold.
Councilman John Klein was secretary Of
the caucus and President Brand of the
common council. its chairman. So bold
were the movements Of this party OF
counciImen that Invitations were sent the.
newspapers to have reporters wait on the
officers of the caucus after adjournment
IL order that news "of interest TO the
pabHc" might be secured. 1t is now be-
lieved that threatened publicity was fire.
quently held over the heads of victims
by the caucus" in order that high
priced bargains might be driven for real
money consideration.
we dare them to arrest Us. If arrested
we will take a whole trainload Of those
big fellows to the penitentiary with US.
was the joint statement made by Book
keeper Charles Veverka and Teller Harry
Aduehlbronner. Of the workingmen's saw
ings and Trust Company, some months
ago, when it had been practically COM
mon knowledge that the bank with which
they had been connected was short about
S7o,C0O through them.
Truth Comes Ont Gradually.
That this pair knew something and did
not intend TO so to the Riverside Peniten-
tiary without making a hard fight and
taking some others along with them, was
shown yesterday when they were called
for sentence in court They gave the
court. privately. some reasons why they
didn't think they should be sent to River
side Penitenuary. The court suspended
sentences IN the case of both
Veverka and MuehlbTOnner were ar
rested some time after they had made
this open boast, but the claim is made
that they We're not taken into custody
until long after the directorate had been
informed as to their shortages. &c. Even
then the arrests were not made at the in
stance of the bank directorate, but by a
bonding company which had guaranteed
the two employees. Officials Of the Work
ingmen's Savings and Trust Company,
which is one Of the six city repositories.
deny that they hesitated on finding there
was shortage
Expected so Tell More.
However, tho quiet statement made by
the two convicted employees yesterday
was sufficient to keep them out of the
penitentisry, and Il Is announced to-day
that they will appear before the grand
jury tomorrow or the day following and
tell what they know about inside work
.ngs OF the Worldngmen's Savings and
Trust Company, in connection with Sc
curing city deposits. Several members of
this directorate, who have been told TO
come before the grand Jury and the
court tomorrow, are reported as very Ill.
While endeavoring to make a denial of
the clerks !ntimation last night. one OF
the most prominent directors collapsed
at the phone in his home. He cannot be
located to-day.
That the Pennsylvania Railroad was
being beaten out OF 100000 a year by
Pittsburg councilmen Plone through
passes some years ago started the agi-
ta5ion which resulted later in laws
ngaiast the issuing of transportation By
any railroad. The Pennsylvania made
the claim that It was losing S6,0O0.O 600
year throughout fits system on the issu-
ing of passes. and one-tenth OF this was
charged up to Pittsburg. It develops now
that some OF the grating councilmen who
aye now IN trouble made thousands of
dollars yearly through the sale Of passes.
NoL content with a few passes at a time,
the councIlmanic grafters insisted and
secured great books Of passes, and sold
tf.en III one-half the regular rate charged
b. Tie railroad for the same distance.