The sun., 1919-03-18
4 HELD IN $1,000
IN BRONX BANK CASE
Examination Of Books Reveals
Theft Total Will Not Ex-
coed $4,000.
IRREGULARITIES FOUND
President Williams Dismissed
Saturday, New Majority
Stakeholder Admits.

Rumors that another person beside
the paying teller, the former assistant
cashier and two outsiders. arrested on
Sunday, was involved in the robbery of
the Cosmopolitan Bank, 500 Prospect
avenue, The Bronx. OF $4,000, could
not be sustantiated yesterday.
At the office of District Attorney
Martin of The Bronx and at the bank
the statement was made with the great
est emphasis that the Investigations to
date had disclosed nothing more than a
number OF slight clerical irregularities.
probably the result OF the inefficient
clerical help available during the war.
Oscar Stiner. chairman OF the board
or directors. gave out statement In
which he said that rumors of an addl-
tional theft were not based on facts.
Fail to Get Bail Lowered.
Samuel Smith, paying teller of the
bank; Samuel Levitt, saloonkeeper of
Dawson street and Longwood avenue.
The Bronx; his brother, Abraham Levitt,
shipping clerk for the American Ex-
change Cigar Company. 1869 Third ave-
nue.. and Frank Reynolds. formerly as
sistant cashier of the concern. who were
arrested on Saturday following Smiths
confession and the recovery OF most Of
the money. were arraigned yesterday in
the Morrisania Police Court on a charge
Of attempted burglary. Their ball was
set at $500 each In spite of the efforts
Of their counsel to have the amount
reduced on the score of the prisoners
previous good conduct.
Oscar Stiner, who recently acquired
control OF the Cosmopolitan Bank. was
asked II 1t was true that George B. Will
Jams, who until Saturday was president
OF the institution, has resigned. Though
he had denied the fact earlier in the
day Mr.. Stiner finally admitted that II
was true that Mr.. WilliamSs resignation
had been asked for and obtained on
| Saturday. 1t took effect at once.
Efforts to reach Mr.. williams last
night proved fruitless. He lives at 600
West Hath street.
So far as could be learned yesterday
the State Banking Department has taken
| no part in the investigation.
Employees Poorly Paid.
Accountants and experts representing
| the insurance company which had bonded
the defaulting employees were busy yes
terday making a thorough examination
J OF the concerns books and checking VI
the list of securities on hand. Late yes
| terday Oscar Stiner stated that this
work had been completed and that be
yond certain irregularities no evidence
OF any further peculations had beer
| found. The Irregularities which haC
been discovered. however. were the rea
son which prompted the request by th'
! board OF directors for Mr.. Williams.
| resignation. Mr.. Stiner said, though, Il
had never been intended that he shoulC
retain his position for any considerabl,
time after the new interests assumed
| control.
Questioned as to whether 1t were true
as stated. that the salary OF Smith, tn,
paying teller who planned the robbery
was only $3.50 a week, Mr.. St!ner be
came incensed.
THAT is none OF your business !" h,
said with considerable heat to the re
porter who had asked the question, "anC
none OF the publlcs business. either" h,
added.
! According to an official OF the Distric
Attorneys office. Smith was one OF tn,
best paid employees in the bank. H
recently had been granted an increase o
salary from $3.50 to $50 a week
while some OF his fellow employees whit
handled the depositors' money are pait
as low as 924 a week