The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-10-25

= On February I. 1910, the books OF
the H. c. Hasemeier company showed
. total shortage of $4.965.7b, accord
ing to the testimony of Ralph SchlAut-
terbach, In the Observation-Disclosures
trial this morning. The records for
month after month are being reviewed
by Mr. Schlautterbach before the jury,
and the books have been submitted to
the jurymen for inspection.
The most tedious part of the testi-
mony is now being presented to the
jury. and because of the uninteresting
character of the testimony from the
viewpoint of spectators. there were
not more than ten persons In the court
room, outside of the persons connected
with the case. This Is in striking con-
trast with the sessions last week. when
the court room was packed with spec
tators.
Case Progresses Slowly.
Wilfred Jessup, attorney for the
plaintiff, who is examining expert wit
nesses. said this morning that all OF
this week would be required In pre-
senting their case, and that cross-ex-
animation would not begin before FRI
day or Saturday at the earliest.
Charles Shiveley. attorney for the
Bentlage estate, said that as soon as
the cross-examination of the plaintiffs
experts was completed. witnesses
would be produced on behalf OF the
defense, which would require at least
a week to examine. Judging from
these two statements, 1t Is believed
that all of next week will be required
and the arguments will not begin until
the following week.
In <In 70 <nff h0 fnIov
frequent reference was made to
shortages" in the accounts of Miss
Bentlage, and an attempt was made
by the attorneys for the defense to
prevent the witness to refer to these
alleged discrepancies in the accounts
as shortages" but the objection was
overruled by Judge Sparks, who said
that it was permissible.
1t is alleged by the expert that the
bookkeeper in the attempt to make
her books balance at the beginning OF
the year 1910, had to make a number
of false entries" BY this, he explain
ed, that she had given to the credit of
deposits in bank, as recorded in, the
cash books, amounts that had never
been made in the bank, as there was
no entry made in the bank pass book.
He explained further, that the
bookkeeper would make up the short.
age" at the end of the year, by merely
adding to the disbursements of the
year, an amount equal to the shortage
and that there is no record of 1t made
| in the bank deposit books. He said
| that at no place In the books waa
there any explanation made by the
bookkeeper for the discrepancies &c
that these could not be considered as
! "errors in bookkeeping"
The entire morning was spent in the
| review of the cash books, ledgers and
journals with reference to the receipts
and expenditures for the year 1910
| After May 1, 1909. there had been
no balance of the books made by Miss
| Bentlage so that in order to show the
| alleged shortage 1t was necessary for
all the books which contained records
of funds received or expended in that
year, to be turned over to the jury fol
inspection.
Amounted to $1,76o.
"The shortage in 1909 amounted tc
$1,76O,91," said Mr.. Schlautterbach
this morning. THE total shortage UT
| to February l. 1910 amounts to 1865.
75."
The following audit Of the books fol
1909 shows the alleged shortage:
Balance on hand Feb. 1.
| 1SUS 0oS-Ss
Total receipts CAS- found by
the accountant) ........ lie, 1855. rs
Total ................. 115,945.1i
Total receipts CAS- reported
| on cash book .......... 114.1S4.2e
| Total shortage ........$ 1,76O.91
The witness testified further tha,
after May l, 1909, the deposits made