New-York tribune., 1911-01-14
ROBIN BANK TRUSTEES
FACE TRIAL FOR PERJURY
lexow, Murphy. YoungS and
James Plead Not Guilty to ISSu-
ina False AffidaVitltO Report.
No DEFENCE, COUNSEL SAYS
Whitman's Investigation Lays
Bare Alleged Violation Of Law
in the Washington.Bank
Management.

-Four trustees Of the Washington savings
Pank one Of the institutions used by Jo-
Eeph G. Robin IN his financial ventures
PLEADED not guilty yesterday IN General
Sessions TO indictments charging perjury.
They were released IN 5000 each pending
trial The four were,the first savings bank
trustees. # was said. ever indicted in New
York County.
The trustees were Thomas j. Murphy.
assistant postmaster Of New York City;
Charles X Lcxow. a brother Of the late
Clarence Lexow. William i. Noungs and
Or Harrie James.
Tho conditions disclosed by the grand
cury Investigation under District Attorney
Whitman which resulted in tho mdict-
'ments against the quartet were said TO in
dicate such fragrant disregard Of the stat
,utcs for tho safeguarding Of depos!tors in
the bank that it is not improbable the mat
ter may be brought 10 the attention Of
Governor Dix.
One section Of the savings bank law re-
puiring thirteen trustees for each savings
hank in the state had been completely
ignored for nearly three,years. II was al
legged, in tho case of the Washington
Savings Bank. During that time there
were not more than nine trustees in that
institution. OF this number one died re-
gently and SIX. including Robin. who was
president. and William l. Brewer, vice.
president. arc under indictment. The other
two are Lyman a. Cheney and Frederick
w. Morris
No Defence, Counsel Hints.
Although pleas of not guilty were for
rnnally entered yesterday by Younss, Muir
ply LeXow and James, James VI. Clifford.
their counsel. substantially acknowledged
that they were without any defence.
In whatever my clients did," said Mr..
Clifford, there was no intent 10 do any
thing wrong"
Under the law specifying the duties Of
trustees of savings banks it is believed by
1hose in position 10 speak authoritativeIy
that this statement OF counsel would not
relieve the trustees Of their responsibility.
When I examined the banks books"
said DR.. James, after he had pleaded, II
thought I was looking over all the books.
am innocent Of any rongdoing."
Although the work of the grand jury IS
being carried on in secret, il became known
last night that further indictments, IN
volving the officials Of the Washington
Savings Bank and other Robin Institutions
will be reported during next week.
The perjury charged against the four
trustees arraisned Yesterday Is alleged TO
have been committed by them while they
were acting as an auditing committee
Of the board Of trustees.
They were appoirted as such committee
in January. 1910. Their duties were 10 make
an examination Of the books, vouchers,
assets and liabilities of the bank semi
annually This examination was intended
10 he the basis of the, semi-annual report
required by law % be made 10 the State
banking Department.
Afiidavit Alleged To Sc False.
on July %. 1910. the Washington Savings
Eauk made its sea-annual report To the
State Banking Department The report Of
the auditing committee was part Of the
report Ii wla signed and sworn 10 hv
Murphy. LcXow and YounGs. a majority Of
the committee.
Among the items Of assets contained IN
the report were the two participation
agreements for $4,000 and 10000 in a non
existent mortgage Of S35oC.oson account Of
which Robin IS under Indictment on the
charge Of grand larceny. TWO other items
were mortgages Of $4,000 and Il325o which
were found after the bank closed in the
personal safe Of Robin.
II is charged that the auditing committee
never made any examination Of the real
estate. bonds and mortgages. or Of the
books, vouchers, assets and liabilities Of
the bank last July, and that therefore its
affidavit attached TO the report was false.