The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-06
RIGGS BANK, TO CHECKMATE
WILLIAMS, PRAYSEARLYT TRIAL
Charges Comptroller Plans to Deny Charter Renewal
Because of Pending Perjury 1ndictments-May Quit
Federal Reserve and Seek Maryland Status.

iams might resort to pending perjury
Indictments as justification for refusal
to grant n new charter to the bank IL
made in q letter written by counsel for
the bank to District Attorney Laskey.
from which tho following Ia quoted In
to-day's motion:
This matter of the approaching ex-
piration Of the charter. you will recall.
was mentioned at our interview with
you January 8 as one OF the reasons
why an early trial was desired. We
trust that YOU and the Department of
Justice which YOU represent Will agree
with us that II wOuld be y most UNI
fortunate situation should one branch OF
the Government threaten he existence
Of the largest and most important finan-
cial institution of tho national capital
because these Indictments are untried.
while another branch Of the Government
has been for several months denying the
very earnest request OF the defendants
for an early trial.
"And his Notwithstanding the fact
that since the opening Of the courts In
October last. as counse are informed
the criminal business Of the district. In
consequence Of tho efficient administra-
ton Of yourself and your predecessor In
the office Of United States District At
torney, has been brought and kept &c
nearly up to date that Of the two
branches Of the Supreme Court OF ehe
District Of Columbia especially main
tanned for the trial Of criminal cases II
has been found necessary. except Tor
very brief period. to employ only one tr
business Of that character. liz othei
being used almost exclusively for clvf
| cases, for the most part Of a compare
lively unimportant character"
Promised Bill Of Particulars.
/ As bearing on the failure OF tn
District Attorney TO furnish the bank
counsel with a bill Of particulars o.
| criminal indictments the bank to-nigh
made public this extract from a lette'
which its counsel had received r
District Attorney Laskey:
IL have to Acknowledge receipt OF
your letter Of the 10th inst. indicating
the character Of the bill OF particulars
desired by the defendants. Charles c
Glover. william J. Flather and Henry
II. Father. In connection with the indict.
m~nts in their case. ! will have you
such bill OF particulars ss soon a. same
may be prepared"
The indictments for perjury against
President Glover and Nice-presiden'
Father are the outgrowth OF the civil
suit instituted by the Riggs bank a year
ago charging Comptroller Williams and
Secretary McAdoo with a conspiracy &c
wreck the bank. The bank at that time
asked for al injunction restraining tht
officials from further alleged persecu'
ton and for an order compelling thu
Treasury officials to pay over to the
bank 5000 interest due 1t on Govern
ment bonds.
: This sum had been eeized under order
from Comptroller Williams to meet a flint
which he assessed against the bank FOL
its failure to answer certain questions
addressed to 1t, which the bank contende'
were an abuse Of the Comptroller's ON
cial authority.
Preliminary hearings in this suit wer'
held by Supreme Cou Justice McCo!
ms. May. The Government oniciais en-
tered y demurrer ~contending n a
equity court was without jurisdiction
over the acts Of officials vested by Con
gress with discretionary powers. Justic'
Mccoy enjoined the Treasury from con
vertins the s.. 00V into the Treasury
general fund. but never has rendered
decision on the Governments demurrer.
The perjury charge against the BAN
officials was based on statements mad
BY them in an afRdavit filed in the cours
OF the hearing TO the effect that the ktgg
bank never bought or sold stock or mad
short sales.