The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-21
BRADLEY MAY BE
SHORT 100000
Merchants National Officials
Admit Missing Teller's
Books Are Wrong.
S13O.OOO BOND TO BANK

Henry s. Bradley, the mail teller Of
the Merchants National Bank, at AZ
Wall street. was due back from his
vacation yesterday. but he failed to re-
turn. For the first time since his dis
appearance in Stamford, Conn. last
Thursday the officials of he bank adj
mitted that there were Irregularities in
his books also that he had been ac-
customed to handle millions OF dollars
in a way that made populations possible.
Hundreds of millions" was the way 1t
was put.
From Hartford last night word came
from Donald NJ. Gage, secretary of the
.Etna Accident and Liability Company,
that an adjuster for his company had
reported thai there was a shortage on
Bradley's books of at least 100000.
and that the amount might go even
higher, as there were many out of town
banks and clearing houses to be heard
from. The adjuster who made this re-
port was W. II. Jenkins.
Mr.. Gage announced that the detec-
tives who were hunting for Bradley on
Saturday and Sunday had been called
off because II was found that there was
a bond. In addition to the H1tna com-
pany's 10000. which insured the Mer-
chants National Bank against loss Of
'N'l Nilllls W. " Flo't'''s wv tllh tIAT
bond Was "A blanket excess policy from
Lloyds of London. Mr.. Gage discharged
the detectives until a decision could be
reached as to the payment of their ex-
pensee.
II is reported that Bradley was seen
in New Haven on Saturday night and
was recognized by an acquaintance.
The bank officials would not explain
how the discovery Of the alleged irregu-
larities was made, although IL is said
that While he was on his vacation a let
ter was received advising the bank to
inspect his accounts.
This is the brief statement which was
issued by Joseph Byrne. vice-president
and cashier Of the bank. yesterday
n. $. Bradley. the mail teller of the
Merchants National Bank, was due TO
return from his vacation this day, but
has not returned.
Upon learning Of Rradley's disap-
p~carance. the officials Of the bank began
an investigation of his books, and this
investigation has disclosed some irregu-
%larities. The bank is fully covered from
any loss which may occur by reason of
fidelity bonds which 1t holds"
Mr.. Byrne would not say anything
about the probable amount OF money
involved in the alleged irregularities.
Many checks upon private bankers came
to him from the mi out of town GUS
tomers-checks which a mail teller in
such a position could have cashed and
diverted to his own use. with the safe
guards of n proper entry OF the de-
posts in the books and a receipt sent
to the correspondents. Bradley's work
was 40 heavy that he had a number of
assistants.
The Investigation which Mr.. Byrne
said the bank was making will not b.
completed for some little time. There are
many books and lots of correspondence
to be zone over, Mr. Byrpe said he
was anxious to be frank about the
matter, and that he will give out more
particulars as soon as possible.
Detectives say they have learned that
Bradley speculat-d and was successful :.
that he bought stocks which seemed
TO go up the minut, 10 had purchased
them with such valuable ascensions that
he must have mad, a small fortune in
Wall stree, and more than enough to
have made restitution at the bank.
II was aid At the bank tina nobody
else was involved with Bradley, and il
Was admitted that the bank had first
notified the Insurance company on
Wednesday of last week tina there were
discrepancies in the books due to fraud
or an error in bookkeeping. This tn
formation set the .Etna's AGENTS on
Bradley's trail at once. with the re-
suit that the finding OF Bradley's au-
tombobile overturned at the edge Of Cove
Pond, near stamford. on Thursday
night convinced them that there was
a irameup,' as they phrased IL.