The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-29
BANK SHORTAGE
 OF SI75,OOO IN
 WINDSOR LOCKS
Wall Street Said to Have Been UndOirg of Aged Banker,
 Now Reported a Suicide
Bank COmmisS OEer Blamed For Allowing Lax Bookkeeping Methods That Hit Hard Many Mill Workers
Special from United Press)

Special from United Press)
 Windsor Locks. Jan. 29-The exam ination of the books of the Windsor Locks Savings bank continued, today, behind closed doors. while the town simmered with gossip concerning the lax bookkeeping methods of the late treasurer. Alfred W. Converse, who is blamed for an apparent book shortage of about s175.OOO.
 The belief was expressed, today, that Wall street was the aged and trusted bankers undoing and that he suicided January IA, to escape his shame. Geo. Glover, president of the bank, today, supported this theory. However. Cor oner J. G. Calhoun whose verdict of accidental death in the Converse case still stands, said that he would not re- open the investigation unles there was stronger evidence of crime.
 Bank Examiner Holt said he felt the bank shortage was a large one although he did not care to say what the figure would be- It had been large ed, in 1871, said Holt. and Converse always had been in charge. Holt, learned, Jan. 8. that no trial balance had been taken in rthe bank since it investigation developed that the last report of the bank showed deposits of S403 S16.7S. but interests payments on about $175 900 in excess of that amount
 
 depositors while the books showed over 1900 live accounts.
 Practically every one of the thou sand families in town have been hard hit by the banks suspension. The depositors were mill hands and farm CTS and in this case few tobacco ticularIy hard hit, now in mid dwinter.
 Just why the bank commission for 40 years permitted Converse to do his rusiness as he did has not been ex- Aha lou f11d his bookkeeping methods would have been uncovered years ago. Bank Commissioner Holt. newly appointed. made the discovery and at once or dered the employment of an expert accountant. Converse. veteran of the Civil War, postmaster and respected citizen. retired on his dignity to his home and predicted that everything would be found all right.
 As the investigation progressed, Con- verse. who had resigned the treasur- ther proofs of bookkeeping errors. The bank directors. however. still be- lieved this was unintentional and as- cribed it to the former treasurer's old age and his use of memory.
 On Sunday. Jan. IA. the word came that Converse had been accidentally shot below the heart while cleaning a pistol he had won at a town fair as the most popular citizen 30 years ago. The 77 years old banker. him self gave this explanation Of the shooting. It was not unIll aIIer trouble at the bank became public that suicide was hinted at.
 Converse is said to have correspond ed with New York brokerage firms, which is quoted to support the theory that Wall street got some of his money. The bank officers admit that the shooting. coming it did just when he was under suspicion, is hard to explain.
 The examination of the books. 1t is believed. will require about, two months.
 The gigantic task of tracing every deposit and writing up every pass book was started in earnest. today About one hundred pass books were handed in The banks files are re- well preserved and com President Glover. in later state ment. today, qualified his earlier re- marks about the suspected suicide. | Glover went back to the statement consistently maintained by the other officers and directors of the institu- , tion that absolutely no intentional ! falsifica ton has been proved against | Converse ard that. until the experts | completed their investigation. the sit | l1a tion must remain a muddle. 6lov- | CT speaking for the directors and of | fcers sta ted that they still believed | that Converse would be cleared. The story of gambling in Wall street has heen denied by every intimate friend | of Converse.