Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-23
RIGGS BANK CASE
|NLASKEYS HANDS
Department of Justice Says
He Is in Charge Of
the Details.
AFFIDAVIT DENYING STOCK
DEALS MAY BE FACTOR
Disavowal of Charge by Messrs
Glover and Fathers Believed Like
ly Basis of Government Action.

ALI sorts Of rumors were in circula-
tion today in connection with the con-
troversy between the Riggs National
Bank and officials of the Treasury De-
partment, who were accused by the
bank Of trying to wreck the institu-
tion, but no actual information could
be obtained as to what the next step
will be. following the appearance be-
fore the grand jury yesterday of some
of the officers of the bank.
At the Department of Justice today
it was said that the entire case of the
government officials against the bank 8
officers is in the hands of United States
Attorney John L. Laskey at this time.
and while no official at the department
cared to be quoted in connection with
the case it was said there that .he un-
derstanding is that Mr.. Laskey IS try
ing at this time only to base proceed
ings upon alleged false statements
made in the aftidavits which We're pub
lished in The Star yesterday. If this is
true. it was said today, it indicates
that the government officials are try
ing only to indict the officers of the
bank on the ground of possible perjury.
Action Is Problematical.
What the grand jury will do with
the complaints believed to have been
laid before it by Mr.. Laskey is prob
lematical. Mr.. Laskey will not discuss
the case. and the officials and counsel
of the bank today continued to main
tain their reticence of yesterday.
reason Mr.. Glover and the Messrs.
Flather and the other officials of the
bank who did not appear before the
grand jury, we're not subpoenaed be-
cause the government is believed to
be endeavoring to indict those gentle
men. who were the signers of the affi-
davit that the bank has never dealt in
stocks for it's own account, which afti-
davft was attacked by Samuel Inter
meyer of counsel for the Treasury Off
cials. Mr.. Allies, vice president of the
bank. and Joshua Evans, jr:, assistant
cashier, who did appear before the
grand jury under subpoenas which Mr..
Laskey had issued, did not assist in
making the affidavit.
There has been general understand
ing in Washington ever since last May
that government officials would at
tempt to procure an indictment against
the bank officials. While the bank Off
Gals and their counsel decline to be in
terviewed. it is understood, they are
confident their position will be COM
pletely vindicated when the govern
ments charges are tried in open court,
when both sides may be heard. and the
case iiipdTlidiIy coHSiueiSu " 1"AJ
and understood by the public.
1t is understood that the government IS
attempts to obtain an indictment will
be based on the affidavit made by
Messrs. Glover and the two Flathers
that the bank did not deal in stocks for
it's own account. Mr.. Untermeyer
charged that the defunct stock broker
age firm of Lewis johnson & Co. had
an account with the Riggs Nationa
Bank and Mr.. Untermeyer intimated
that that indicated that the bank was
buying and selling stock for its own
account. The bank replied that it
never had done so.
Treasury officials have insisted that pro-
ceedings be brought against some or all
the officers of the bank. and in this con-
rection it was said today that no repre-
sentative of the District attorneys Office
or Of the Department Of Justice had ever
made any Investigation at the Riggs
National Bank. but that the entire in