New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-12
NEW HYDE INDICTMENT
Superseding True Bill Against
Former City Chamberlain.
CUMMINS'S SAFE OPENED
Summary Hauled to Grand Ju-y
Room When Whitman Loses
Patience.

After the grand jury having the Carnegie
Trust case in hand had examined yester-
day afternoon the documents taken from
William J. CUMMINGS private safe It
handed TO Justice Davis superseding in
dctment against Charles IT. Hyde. The
former CITY Chamberlain was not srraigned
in court however. since the new instru-
nent merely goes with more detail into
the previous charge against him, that IN
consideration OF loan Of $4,000 made by
the Northern Bank 10 the Carnegie Trust
Company he caused the city deposits in the
Northern Bank 10 be increased.
Just what the grand jurors found in Cum
rninss safe remains mystery. The safe
Itself. weighing from l,500 TO 200 pounds.
stll rests after its rough passage IN the
grand jury room. on the third foor Of the
Criminal Courts Building. its privacy a
thing OF the past. no longer the still m
ravished bride OF quietness
The safe had stood in corner ~ the
trust companys Offices, az No rs Broad
way sphinxlike and covered With dust.
The day the trust company was closed A
representative Of the State Banking Su-
perintAndent had pasted a seal over the
edge Of the dial on its face, which remind
ID one Of piece Of court plaster on the
lip rs object vas 10 prevent Mr. Cum
Minis or any one else from removing any
of the contents Latterly the safe had
been carefully watched to guard against
that very thing.
But the sacredneSs OF the sea- had been
iisregarded on ar least three specific &C.
casions. The State Banking Department
had had Cumminss confidential man open
IT, that the securities II held might bs in
spected. On another occasion Cunmns
himself had been allowed 20 open ~ in the
presence Of a representative OF the State
Banking Department Lastly. Payson
Merrill, receiver for Cummins, had made q
cursory examination Of its contents. After
each examination a new seal had been
pasted over the old one.
Only Mr. Cummius and his secretary
knew The combination. Four weeks ago
the District Attorney informed the in
dicted banker that he wanted everything
the safe contained and at that time, u
is said. Cunlmins agreed to open his strong
box any time Mr.. Whitman designated.
But apparently the promise was not re
deemsble.
Tired Of Cummins's procrastination. me
District Attorney determined yesterday 10
accomplish his purpose without him. cum
minis got wind Of the plan and sent down
word to the Carnegie Trust Company IN
the morning that no one be allowed ~
touch his private property. But Detectives
Raynes, Thomas and Russell. OF the Dis
trict Attorney staff. went after the safe
with d. subpoena duces tecum and, natur-
ally. they got H.
George ". Egbert. receiver for the Car
negie Trust Company, was at first dis
inclined 70 give the safe up. He con-
tended that If was now the property OF
the trust COMPANY. which had paid money
for IT, But on advice Of counsel he hon
ored the subpoena laying claim az the
same time 70 its contents in the name OF
the trust company. Payson Merrill also
put in a claim
The detectives and a gang OF SAFE
movers loaded the ton OF silence upon a
truck and drove il up TO the Criminal
Courts Building. where they trundled II
on 10 an elevator on the north side OF the
shaky old structure once the doors OF the
grand Jury room had closed upon II an ex-
pert was sent for. some Alias Jimmy
Valentine" Of real life and the safe gave
UP its secrets.
In this opening Of a strong box Will cul-
inmate the strenuous career OF the grand
jury. which has indicted Joseph z. Reich
mann. Cummns and Hyde. after an In
vestization 81 the Carnegie Trust Com
pany lasting nearly three months. This act