Evening journal., 1918-06-12
BOND THEFT Barred
As CLERK Is FREED
W. A. Charlton Discharged
by Grand Jury--Bank
Duped OF SS5,000
$1,000 TRANSFERRED
IN HOTEL DU POINT

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. June i2.-With
the ignoring by the Federal Grand Jury
OF bill Of indictment charging VIII
liam A. Charlton with fraudulently OBJ
tanning $1,000 from the Federal Reserve
Bank OF this city, where he is employed
as teller. not only was a trusted en-
ploye vindicated. but there came TO
light story Of how the real thief es-
capped. The case also revealed that ss5.-
600 OF unregistered Liberty Bonds mys-
torlously disappeared from the Fedora
Reserve Bank. and no trace OF them has
been discovered.
Charlton was IN no way implicated In
the theft OF these securities, but Il is
stated his arrest on the other charge
was a last desperate effort Of the sus-
picious INSURANCE agent. William Don
aldson, OF New York. 10 possibly get
on the trail Of the lost bonds and save
his principals the payment OF indemnity
10 the Federal Bank for It's loss.
The extent Of the confidence Of the
Federal Bank In the integrity Of Charl-
ton is shown by the fact that
during his arrest by the government
he was kept on the payroll Of the
bank and Charles J. Rhoads, governor
OF the Institution, went on his bail
bond.
Counsel OF the accused clerk put the
case In the hands Of an expert in
vestigator. who found that the Federal
Reserve Bank had, In February, 1917,
been duped out Of $500 by a thief US
ing a forged letter from a Pine Grove,
Pa. bank The money was sent tc
a supposed client who was registered at
the Hotel dlPont and the clerk gave
detectives a description Of the thief. who
escaped
II was also found that the detectives
went no further az that time. but ac-
cording 20 n. G.. Silcox, the special in
vestigator the Federal Reserve bank
had been the victim OF the theft OF $751;
| 900 between November ~ and i6. 1917
| The bank was insured against losses o.
this kind and when no trace Of th'
bonds could be found demand was mad
upon Donaldson the adiuster for tn
Insurance company for the amour
lost.
The adiuster for the insurance com
I pany. according 10 Silcox, looked up N
, former clerk Of the Hotel duPor
who was then working In the AstC
House. New York, and wanted him
! Identify the man TO whom he dellver'
/. the money alleged 10 have been order'
S by the Pine Grove bank. The cler
was certain he could not recognize q
man. but came 20 Philadelphia aft
; the adiuster had described Charlie
Wade II. Jones, the clerk, and Donal
> son, the adiuster, came to this city fro
New York. The night Of their arriN
they were unable 10 meet Charlie
but the following morning Donalds
took Jones to the vicinity OF the bar
+ and there they met an operative
q the 4. s. Secret Service. Present
}, Charlton appeared crossing the stree
k and the detective. pointing at him sa
. 10 Jones There IS your man, Jon
d declares that he was moved 10 rep
p In the Affirmative by the conduct
the detective and not by any identii
: cation he could make from remembe
ing the appearance OF the man who 81
the package Of $1,000.
| Sllcox asserted the belief that Donald
son hoped In the arrest Of Charlton {
learn something about the missing Lib
erty Bonds for which his insurance
companies are liable 10 make good
They are not responsible FOR the loss ol
the $1,000 sent 10 the Hotel dupont, as
such registered packages are exempt un-
der the bond Of Indemnity.