The Washington herald., 1912-02-03
NEWSOFALEXANDRIA
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Peculiar Banking and Bookkeeping
Methods Develop in the
Lewis Hoof Trial.

Alexandria, Va, Feb. 2-Accordlng to
the books Of the defunct Mercantile
Building and Loan Association, there
should have been a balance of S1o.lsL7
on hand. instead Of an apparent over
draft Of {l,4oo. was the substance Of the
Testimony to-day OF II. d. Kirk, who
was employed IN settling up the books
OF the association after its collapse This
testimony was given by Mr.. Kirk this
afternoon in the corporation Court at
the trial of Lewis Hooff. former secre-
tary and general manager Of the asso-
clatlon- The balance on hand, the wit
ness said, was made up from the cash
book IN connection with the general led
ger. Attorneys FOR the defense averred
they had not seen the general ledger.
and II was sent for. Mr.. Kirk afterward
resumed the stand and told OF checking
back numerous errors, one OF Ss.2E2{s
The witness added that on December l.
1909 at the close OF business, the new
year was started with apparently moth
ing on hand.
On croSs-examination he said there
were many errors in the books. The
figures In several places. he said. showed
erasures. The Transaction of one note
was read from a memorandum by the
witness. Books OF the association were
several notes for 1900 each to the Vir-
ginia Safe Deposit and Trust Corpora
tion which appeared as records. Three
OF these are said to be IN the State. the
fourth being In the District Of Columbia
Douglas Stuart. receiver for the con-
cern. testified that he took complete
charge as receiver January Il. 1911. and
| that there was a total OF about S233 In
bank. together with several deeds OF
trust. The combined trusts amounted TO
between $4,000 and sSS.00. he said. All
Of the trusts on city property, with one
exception, have been paid, he said. Wit
ness said he made a partial examination
Of the books, and was assisted by E. ].
Fleming and Miss Heisley. Mrs. Angelo.
he said, started. but became III and re-
lfnquished the work
When the court convened this morning
Judge Barley announced that he had
loverruled the motion made yesterday to
strike out the admissibility of a note as
! evidence.
F. F. Marbury was the first witness
He said he was a director OF the concern
| for probably year. Hoof, he said, made
! a monthly statement to the directors. A
record was supposed to be kept on the
| minutes. he said. Witness Identified a
minute book OF the association. but was
| unable to find a report for the month OF
May. Witness told OF how data for re-
ports was obtained, and said he had sug-
gested the keeping OF an individual led
ger. II money was borrowed by the as
sociation during his tenure OF ONCE he
was unsware of H. -.--s -
Mrs. NJ. E. Angelo, who was employed
as bookkeeper Of the concern. took the
stand next. and her testimony occupied
practically the remainder OF the morning
session. She identified a certificate OF
stock in Hoon's handwriting made TO NJ.
L =
at 500, which was afterward transferred
to Harvey browns. Witness said she
paid nothing for II, and neither did
browns. She testified that dividend
checks on the stock were turned back to
the association. .r-z He r. 's-r.-
Mrs Angelo took the stand again at
the afternoon session ana related about
the exchange Of a total OF thlrty-three
shares OF stock OF the association IN
Brent declared that this stock should
! have been cancelled. but was not E
Witness also told Of the Tucker stock
transaction. She said the stock loan was
$4,000. and he got 1900 on a note sne IN
dorsed, and that In part went to pay for
the Tucker stock. The transaction does
/ not appear on the books. she said. Wnt-
ness said she paid the Tucker note ana
now has claim against the association
Tor It -'.
Mrs. Angelo also testified to other
financial transactions OF the concern and
Identified books, check stubs, &c.
Laurence Stabler, who was vice presi-
dent of the concern. testified to the re-
ports made by tine COMMITTEES which ex-
amined the books, and those made by
Hoof s. t.-ffa.
The placing Of several notes Of the as
sociation at the Virginia Safe Deposit
| and Trust Corporation was related by
George H. Robinson formerly teller for
the Virginia Safe Deposit and Trust Cor
poratiou. T
W. ]. Boothe, formerly discount clerk
for the Virginia Safe Deposit and Trust
corporations also testified from books
and papers regarding financial transac-
tons the concern had with. the trust
company.
Harvey browns identined a deposit slip
Of the association for 8. 900 He said he
| got 500. on II and turned Il over to
Hoon. Regarding this slip. Mr.. Robinson
/ testified s. no OF this money went to the
credit OF the building association on
June 80. 1910
On cross-examination browns testred
that he frequently went to the bank for
Hoof 70 get money In the ordinary
course OF business transactions. he said
Hooff never left more tnan tl3 IN the
cash tn OF the association during ms
| 6Hooff's) absence -
The trial. Il . expected, Will not be
concluded beftfe Monday night
aPfeventl..i I Of dISsasey was the sub
jeet Of az address delivered by DR.. Au-