New-York tribune., 1910-12-30
ROBIN PLEADS TO
INDICTMENT TODAY
If Unable To Be in Court Judge
Will Go to Sisters House,
Where He Is Prisoner.
FRAUD OF $50, 900 ALLEGED
Confidential Man Testifies Con.
corning Methods Said to
Have Been Employed
by Banker.


reached crisis yesterday when he was
indicted by the grand jury for the lar
ceny OF $4,000 from the Washington
Savings Bank. at 59th street and Column
bus Circle. of which he was president
Previous to his Indictment the State
Banking Department took possession OF
the savings bank and closed its doors
TO business pending a further investiga-
ton into It's condition
The testimony adduced by witnesses
before the grand jury and at the prior
investigation conducted by Chief Ex-
aminer Hughes. Of the State Insurance.
Department, upon which the Robin in
dictment was based, disclosed a star
ting series of irregular transactions in
which the witnesses said that Robin and
the savings bank officials were involved
and indicated, as far as it went. that
Robins alleged peculations from the
bank amount to about S15oOOO.
District Attorney Whitman said lasr
night that he expected other indictments
would soon be filed against Robin and
others implicated I'm the matter
Robin was prisoner last night at the
home of his sister. DIR. Louise Robino-
witch. at No. 2S West 26th street closely
guarded through the night by detectives
from the District Attorneys Office. With
the consent of the District Attorney, he
was produced there by his counsel.
former District Attorney Jerome. yester-
day afternoon, and formally placed under
arrest If he is able to go TO court to-
day he will plead to the Indictment be-
fore Judge Grain, in Part I of General
Sessions. where the indictment was filed
when the December grand jury dis
banded at I o'clock yesterday afternoon
Physicians Take Look at Him.
DR.. William Mabon, superintendent Of
the Manhattan State Hospital on
Wards Island. acting for the District
Attorney, examined Robin to his
mental and physical condition late yes
terday afternoon. Dr. Austin Flint, who
had been called on behalf of the pris-
oner and Mr.. jerome were present dur
ing the examination.
Whether Robin will be compelled TO
plead in court to-day will depend on
DR.. Mabon's report to the District At
torney Should it be found that his
condition is too serious to warrant his
being taken to court at present, Judge
Grain probably viii go to the Robino-
witch home and attend to the for1nali-
ties of pleading and bail, which was
tentatively fixed yesterday at $4,000.
As former District Attorney jerome
left the Robinowitch house late last
night he said that he was surprised that
MIR. Whitman intended to compel him to
produce his client in court to-day He
said he understood that the District At
torney would give him a week in which
to arrange for bail and prepare for
pleading
Long Island Traction is responsibls
for Robins present predicament,' he
said. ..They are jealous that he has in
yaded the traction field there There ls
not a. dollar shortage for which Rooin
will not be able to account.
Mr.. Jerome added that he believed
his client was mentally unsound-
Robins whereabouts since he was
turned out of DIR. Carlos Macdonald
sanatorium. at Central Valley, on Tues
day and supposedly returned 10 TINS
city with his sister. was known only 10
his counsel and relatives. District At
tcrney whitman was satisfied with Mr.
Tero,ne.s assurance that he would pro-
duce his client when he was wanted.
Mr. Whitman said last night that he
did not know where Robin had been kept
in hiding since Tuesday Mr. jerome
declined to say where Robin had BEEN
and the Iatter's reappearance yesterday
was as sensational as his fitting away
Pursuant to Mr.. Jerome's promise IN
court Robin was taken 10 his Sisters =
home in an automobile shortly after q
o'clock. Robin sat in the tonneau De
tween his sister and another woman.
and a negro was on the seat with the
chauffeur. Robin wore a cap which was
,uIlea down over his eyes. and a long
overcoat The two women emerged from
tho car and helped Robin 10 get out.
rbsx supported him as he walked into
the house The negro followed thefn
with two large suitcases-
Robin Placed Under Arrest.
Detectives Flood and Leigh, from the
district Attorneys Office, were on hand
md immediately went tho hOH"S
and served the bench warrant issued By
JndSe Grain on Robin. formally placing
him under arrest. Robin was put to
he'd. and the detectives, reinforced by
Detective Thomas. arranged TO take up
the watch in turns during the night in
the defendants room
District Attorney Whitman decided to
make a quick move In the case. instead
Of letting it go over for the Considera-
ton of the January grand jury. and
worked on the evidence most of Wednes-
day night in order to get IL before the
December grand jury yesterday before
IL disbanded The examination of Fred
erick X. Morris. confidential associate
of Robin and an officer in several of ths
Robin corporations. which was made un-
der oath by Assistant District Attorney
Clark. Chief Examiner Hughes. of the
Insurance Department. and Examiner j.
of he State Ranking DsE