The New York herald., 1922-10-31
WESTERN UNION HAS
PRINTER ARRESTED
Accuses Wynkoop- -Hallenbeck-
Crawford Secretary of Brib-
ing It's Auditors.
BIG CONTRACT INVOLVED
Walter L. Hopkins Says He
Will Disprove Charges I'm
der Anti-Tipping Law.

Walter L. Hopkins. secretary of
Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Com
pany. one OF the largest printing houses
in the city. which had the contract for
the blanks and rorms used by the
Western Union Telegraph Company.
was held in $500 bail in Tombs Court
yesterday. He is charged with having
paid $25 to an auditor of the telegraph
company to deliver to him confidential
information regarding the company, in
violation of the State anti-tipping law
Hopkins pleaded not guilty, gave bond
and will be examined in the same court
on Thursday.
According to Ferdinand Pecora. Chief
Assistant District Attorney. Sidney H.
Lane, Western Union auditor con-
fessed that he had carried confidential
letters and other papers from his en-
ployers' Offices TO the printing firm,
where they were copied. Lane said,
according to Mr.: Pecora. that Hopkins
had given him small sums for this.
amounting to about $500.
The Western Union Company con-
suited the District Attorney about three
weeks ago and by his advice sent
trusted auditor, John j. Ward, to check
up on Lane. 1t is alleged that Ward,
with the knowledge of his employers.
offered to let Hopkins see new print
ing contract which the Western Union
had made with the Courier Citizen
Company of Lowell, Mass.
Hopkins. it is alleged. copied this
letter in the Wynkoop Hallenbeck-
Crawford offices a week ago last Sat
urday, and Ward and Lane then took
it back to the Western Union headquar-
ters. 1876 Broadway. On the following
Monday, it is charged, Hopkins met
Lane and Ward by appointment in
Lafayette street and in front OF
news stand at Canal street slipped $25
to Ward. Detective John Cunniff OF
the District Attorneys Office says he
watched the group from doorway and
saw Hopkins move his hand toward
Ward.
Ward turned over $25, which he said
Hopkins gave him. Lane admitted. ac-
tording to Pecora, that Hopkins had
been giving him money. Hopkins's attor-
rey, Samuel Crook of SO Nassau street.
said that every charge rejecting on
Hopkins is false and the real facts
will come out on Thursday. when MS
client reappears in court.
Joseph l.. Eagan. assistant general
attorney of the Western Union Com
pany, said at his office that the Wyn-
coop Hallenbeck Crawford Company
contracted on April !, 1920. to print
telegraph forms until January 81. 1871
on a basis of cost plus per cent. 1t
was agreed that Western Union ac-
oountants should have access to the
printers books Last month Lane re-
ported an apparent overcharge of $780,
coo on bill for $S0S,000. Later the West
err Union was told, that Lane was be-
ing paid by somebody for the COM
pany's secrets. That led to the activi-
lies of the trusted accountant War;
and to a complaint at the District At
torney's office. .
Section 439 of the penal law. under
which Hopkins was held. makes 1t a
misdemeanor for any one to give a
gratuity to an employee without the
employers knowledge with intent to
influence his action in relation to his
employers business. The maximum
penalty on conviction is $500 fine or a
years imprisonment or both.
Hopkins lives at $50 Seventh avenue.