The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-08-22
WILSON IS
JAILED ON
CHARGE Of
LARCENY
$500 Theft Is Charged, But
Officials Claim Deficit in Ac-
counts Is $4,000.

SSN''SS 30 ~'y~S~
Charles Earl Wilson, second as
sistant treasurer of the American
Red Cross, was arrested this morn
ing on charge of grand larcency.
The specific charge against him is
that he took $500 from the funds
of the Red Cross, but DR.. Living
ston Farrand, director of the Red
Cross, in a statement said that
the shortage would reach almost
$4,000.
Took Only SIS, He Says.
Wilson, who has been away from
the Red Cross since the investigation
started about two weeks ago, was ar
, rested BY Detectives Hughlett and
SWeenSy near Seventh street and New
York avenue, while he was on his way
to the Red Cross building to learn the
status of his case.
When he was arrested he told the
detectives that he had only taken SIS
Of the Red Cross funds and that he
had made restitution. He refused to
say anything further.
Later Wilson confessed to Detective
Vermillion that he had taken about
$l3,5O0, and that he had spent the
money on the races. playing the hand
books here. The defalcations covered
| a period OF six months, he said.
The investigation was started
several weeks ago. when disclosures
by The Times as to Irregularities were
taken cognizance of by officials Of
| the Red Cross
Auditors were set to work on the
books and after a short investigation
IT was stated by officers OF the Red
| Cross that the shortage would amount
to about $11 900. No action would be
taken 1t was said at that time until
the examination of the books had been
| completed.
Married and Has Family.
Last week Hugh S. Bird. assistant
! treasurer and ] G. Hendrix, auditor,
| for the Red Cross went to the District
| Attorney with the facts as revealed
by the examination OF the books and
a warrant was issued for the arrest Of
Wilson. Detective Howard Vermil.
lion, was assigned to the case, but a
search for Wilson Saturday and yes
terday failed to reveal his whereabo
This morning shortly after IL
o'clock Inspector Grant, chief OF de-
tectives. learned that Wilson was on
his way to Red Cross headquarters,
and he detailed Detectives Hughlett
and Sweeney to get him. They caught
him a few blocks away from the build
ing. and brought him to detective
headquarters where he was questioned
by Inspector Grant and Detectivs Yer
million.
Wilson, who is married, and has
three children, lives at 4012 Twelfth
street northeast. He has hcen with the
Red Cross for five years and prior to
that time was note teller at the Frank
lin National Bank, in this city for
three yers. Before going with the
Franklin bank. he was employed by
the United States Trust Company Of
this city.
DR.. Farrand, after learning OF the
arrest Of Wilson issued the following
statement.
Following the disclosure last week,
| In the course Of our regular eIamina-
ton Of accounts, Of apparent irregu.
| larities in the funds under the super.
vision OF an officer at headquarters
the Red Cross has had an audit made
| by an independent firm OF auditors
The report OF this audit revealed a
shortage of just under $4,000, In the
accounts Of G. e. Wilson, second
assistant treasurer of the organization
As soon as the facts were established
the Red Cross reported the matter ~
the United States District Attorney
and a warrant was sworn out for Mr.
Wilson's arrest.
"As stated previously the shortage
had to do with subsidiary accounts
used in conducting operations at ma
tional headquarters, and the general
funds of the Red Cross, which car
only be withdrawn by checks signed
by two officers, are not involved In
any way. The amount is fully cover
ed by our Surety bond"
Since The Times first made public
the fact that an official of the Red
Cross had been making away with the
funds ot the organization there has
Continued on Page 2, Column 2)