The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 6, 1901, Page 1

e VOLUME XC—NO. 86. SAN FRA CISCO, SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1901. PRICE FIVE CENTS. MINT OFFICIALS ARE SUSPENDED _ PENDING INVESTIGATION OF THE PURLOINING OF $30,000 IN GOLD Cashier Cole and Clerk Dimmick Relieved of Responsibilities of Evidence That Will Warrant Arrest Of a Suspected Federal Employe Respective Posit ions - While Is Being Sought ASHIER W. K. COLE and Chief k Walter Dimmick of the Mint were relieved yesterday of | the @ of their offices, in ac- co! instructions re- ceived fro of the Treas-| ury. Cashier Cole was replaced by Frank | A. Pedlar, a trusted clerk of Superln!end-‘ ent Leac Dimmick turned over the Getalls of his department to Benjamin W. Day, a computing clerk in the superin tendent’s office. Both Cole and at their desks amick were on hand | to assist their temporary | successors, but the trust formérly reposed in them by the Government was tempor- | arfly withrawn, pending the investiga- | tlon into the shortage of $30,080 from the | cashier's working vault. i The Government officials who are at work on the robbery have nar- rowed down their investigation to the point where the arrest of a suspected employe may occur at any hour. St ctor of the Mint Roberts, Superin- tendent Leach and Secret Ser Agent Hazen were in close consultation yester- day and exa v of the Mint em- | ployes. Th t will be contin- ved on the 1 th hief who stole $30,000 from cashier’s vault s not only | emplo of Mint but is also one whom the been here- s uspected Employe Watched. ¢ ence is being gradually person and kept on his move- | empt to leave the for his arrest by | e Inves- e of the persons con- were warned yes- | silent ms to | suspected n have no- the istice and of the ghiy searched yes- terday by Secret Service t Hazen end his assistants, In pe that some of the purloined gold might be found hid- den away In some nook or corner. The gearch, however, was corclusion was reached that the thief had taken his plunder out of the building. | Director of the Mint Roberts, Superin- | tendent Leach and Secret Service Agent Hazen were guarded in their statements yesterday. They. were willing to talk to | a length but declined to make any | might furnish a clew to | spicion. ertal assertions _that be emp v Dimmick Is Flippant. ashier Cole, who alone was supposed to | ad combination of the wvault| rich $30,000 in gold was etolen, is ncerned over the affair. Chief Dimmick, who hud access to the who denies that he mbination to the steel door, stion of the robbery in a | resterday joked as to | ty of his arrest. | shier Cole declined to make any state- | but Dimmick talked | he subject. | Dimmick was asked if he was fa- | with the vault combination of Cash- jer Cole he answered in the negative. He was then questioned as to the statement made that he assisted Cole to fix the com- bination when the cashier took office. “That is & question I decline to| snswer,” said Dimmick. “I will| answer it when I appear before the Tudge of the United Staf riet | When asked what he meant by this | statement, Dimmick answered: | “Well, I may appear before the court as & witness in this case, or| deeply cc Clerk had treats ments yesterday x5 " taken out of the pigeon holes. Four sacks -+ ‘were taken from one side of the vault and two from another location. The sacks were taken from holes hidden by trucks on which were plled large quan- | titles of gold coin. In counting the vault nightly it was impossible to count each pigeon hole. It was taken for granted that all the pigeon holes were filled with sacks of gold. A combination of events | PEDLER Proto &y Do | | | | SOME OF THE PRINCIPALS WHO FIGURE IN THE DISAPPEARANCE | OF $30,000 IN GOLD COIN FROM THE CASHIER'S WORKING VAULT IN THE MINT. —fe | perhaps I may be—what do you call it—oh, yes—the criminal at the bar.” “Do you expect to be arrested, then,” was the next query put to Dimmick. “It would not surprise me, but I am not worrying,” was Dimmick’s answer. Further questions put to Dimmick as to the manner in which the combinations on the cashier's vault worked, elicited the re- ply that he knew the working of the vault door, but was not acquainted with the combination formed by Cashier Cole. It was learned yesterday on positive au- thority that when Cole came into office he requested his predecessor, Dimmick, to show him how the locks on the vault door of the cashier’s office worked. Cole is known to have operated the combination | knob while Dimmick stood at the back of the door and arranged the levers and tumblers in the locks. This information formed the basis for a searching investigation by Secret Service Agent Hazen as to whether Dimmick was well acquainted with the combination of the vault door, which Cole was alone sup- posed to know. Superintendent Leach Speaks. Superintendent Leach stated yesterday that he had nothing new to report on the stealing of the $30,000. ““We have counted all the money in the cashier’s vault,” he said, “and have also courted the contents of the sealed vaults. We are satisfied that the money was stol- en and not paid out in error. The question of an error in the books of the Mint is a thing of the past. This money was stolen and stolen an employe who had the combination to the cashier’s vault. Cash- | fer Cole alone is the possessor of the com- bination. I do not know it and a copy of the combination was written out and sealed up by Cole when he came into of- fice and locked up in the office desk. This was a precaution in case of the fllness of the cashier. Chief Clerk Dimmick was not supposed to know the combination. The only time he had occasion to go into the office was at the close of business each da¥. Then he accompanied the cashier and tallied up the number of sacks of gold. “The robbery was a, deliberate one. Around the cashier's vault are ranged pigeon holes, each hole being intended for a sack of gold containing $5000. The capacity of the vault is five million_ dol- lars, but we have been so crowded that millions were piled up on the floor and on trucks. The six stolen sacks were | missing gola made possible this robbery. state on whom suspicion rests When the Gold Was Stolen. The authorities are satisfied that the was stolen between the | hours of 3 p. m. and 5 p. m. of working | days. Bach sack of gold welghs almost | twenty pounds, and while it would be | possible for one sack to be carried out of the building, it would have been im- possible for the thief to get away with over 100 pounds weight of yellow coin. The investigation is therefore proceed- ing on the line that the six sacks of gold coln were abstracted from the vault at different times. Cashier Cole has informed the investi- gating officers that it was his custom to lock the vault of his office each day at 8 p. m. The time lock for many years has not gone into operation until 6 p. m., and that would give two hours for any person to open the vault, provided he knew the lock combination, Captain Timothy Fitzpatrick, the “vault man” in the cashier’s office, Is the | only man besldes Cole and Dimmick who | ever entered the steel room. It was PFitz- patrick’s duty to wheel trucks of gold into the vault and to bring gold out when requested by Cole. The cashier was the only person who had authority to order Fitzpatrick to bring sacks of gold from the vault. It Cole had reason to leave his office during the time the vault door was open, no other employe in the office could have entered the vault without Fitzpatrick be- Ing cognizant of the act. Fltzpatrick is an old employe and his duty would have been to stop any person, no matter what his position In the Mint, from entering the vault, unless accompanied by Cashier Cole, or whoever was acting as cashier in Cole’s absence. Mute Evidence of Time Clocks. The time records at the Mint show that Cashier Cole left the building usually at 3:15 p. m., 2:30 p. m., or 3:45 p. m. Occa- sionally the cashier remained until 4 p. m. when the business of his office ré- quired. Fitzpatrick always left the build- ing shortly after 3 p. m., and the book- keepers of the cashler's office remained sometimes until 4:30 p. m. or even later, according to the amount of work on hand. The !img records of the Mint thus show that there were dozens of opportunities | W, | rounding the Russian communication, it | revenue tax she applies to her ment. | reply will be made after consultation be- Continued on Page Two. TARIFF WAR NOT WANTED BY RUSSIA Czar's Government 1Is Anxious to 'Ma.inta.in Cordial Relations. Will Remove the Retaliatory Duties if Uncle Sam Does the Same. — Countervailing Sugar Tax Regarded as the Crux of the Present Trade Controversy. —— Special Dispatch to The Call. CALL BUREAU, 1406 G STREET, N. WASHINGTON, July 5.—Russia wants no tariff war with the United States. In her official reply to the note addressed by Secretary Hay to Count Cassini, Russian Embassador, she has specifically stated her desire to maintain the cordial relations which have existed between the two countries since the United States entered the family of na- tions. Her answer was delivered to Mr. Hill, acting Secretary of State, to-day b)"i M. de Wollant, Russian Charge d'Af- faires. Neither Mr. Hill nor M. de Wol- lant would discuss the contents of the Russian note. Notwithstanding the official secrecy sur- is learned that Russia has intimated her willingness to remove the retaliatory duties she has applied upon American imports, provided the United States re- peals the order Issued by Secretary Gage imposing a countervailing duty upon Rus- slan sugar, Crux of the Controversy. ! It is plain that Russia regards the | sugar question as the crux of the whole | controversy. It is to this feature of the matter that she particularly addresses herself, making a plain explanation of the sugar | which is refunded in the form of tax cer- tificates upon imports. It is this refund that is construed by Secretary Gage as a bounty which moved him to apply the countervailing duty. Russia's note is most: friendly in tone. It established the correctness of the rep- resentations by Count Cassini, when in Washirgton, that his Gg\'grmem‘ »as anxious for a prompt’ friendly se:.l a-l ( M. de Wollant took occaslon to reiterate | these sentiments in speaking with Mr. | Hill to-day. Russia does not believe that | she has been fairly treated. She Insists | that the sugar tax refunded upon exports in the form of certificates is not a medi- um of exchange, but is used by sugar exporters to meet taxes on other sugar raised. It is apparent from the Russian note that had the duty on Russian sugar never been imposed, the increase of duties on American imports would not have fol- lowed. E Somebody Has Blundered. The Acting Secretary communicated the Russian note to the President before the latter’s departure from Washington. A tween the State and Treasury depart. ments. It Is admitted that Russia has a strong case, and it is said that somebody | in the United States has blundered. The representation of the United Sl;\tos, and the answer of Russia have had the | effect of bringing out the contentions of | the two governments. Count Cassini will | arrive at St. Petersburg in the course of | a few days. He thoroughly understands the views of this Government, and the authorities are satisfied that he will prop- erly lay them bhefore the St. Petersburg | authorities With his assistance and the well known desire to cultivate friendly relations be- tween Russia and the United States, the officlals here are satisfied that the next few days will witness action which will result in an arrangement beneficlal to both nations. ALBERT HOPKINS IS VICTORIOUS IN A DUEL Elaps a French Fire-Eater and Later on Bests Him on the Field of Honor. NEW YORK, July 6.—A Journal special from Paris says: Albert Hopkins, son of the President of the Women’s Colieg: in Baltimore, and grand nephew of Mar Hopkins, benefactor of Johns Hopkins University, has come out victorious in a | duel with a fire-eating Frenchman. Henry d'Estournel, a man about town, | always dressed In the height of fashion, | found fault with young Hopkins for wear- ing an American flag. Hopkins, who is an athlete and used to be pifcher at St. John's College, Baltimore, promptly slapped the Frenchman's face, * This led| to a meeting with swords in the Bois de Boulogne in the gray dawn. Hopkins was slightly scratched on the cheek, while his adversary had his sword arm quite dis- abled. ol il BOY KILLS COMPANION AND THEN HANGS HIMSELF Playmates in New York State Have a Quarrel and Remarkable Trag- edy Results. ALBANY, N. Y., July 6.—Raymond Al- bers, a 13-year-old lad, this evening shot and killed Emmanuel Koehler, a boy of 12 years, and then hanged himself, The boys were playmates, and, according to statements of nelghbors, they had quar- reled some days ago. Albers was.the gon of a well-known painter and Koehler the son of a clergyma. Pierre Lorillard Failing. NEW YORK, July 6.—Dr. Austin Flint at 12:30 o'clock this morning announced that Plerre Lorillard was falling, MUNIFICENT OFFER MADE TO CITY BY ANDREW CARNEGIE, THE GREAT PHILANTHROPIST AND MILLIONAIRE Will Donate $750,000 to Erect a Central and Several Branch Public Libraries if the Municipality Will Furnish Proper Sites for Them and Agree to Expend $75,000 a Year in Their Maintenance — - i AYOR PHELAN is in receipt of s & letter from Andrew Carnegie, P [— i in which an offer to give $730,- o 000 to erect public Ifbrary build- 0% Jme 100 James D] ings in this city is made if e sites therefor are furnished and the mu- nicipality agrees to expend §75,000 a year S Wi for their maifitenance. Mr. Carnegie writes # from Skibo Castle, Ardgay, N. B., that ’ Tou lefler of Mok 2 S0 Stre s ate i 1 San Pranatsco ¥ill furnieh proper sttes for Lidraries ard agree to Lo wpent $75,000 ® year in their minteranos T shall be'very glad to ive $720,000 as neaded to pay for the bulldings. About half B¢ this #am should be expended ap thef Central 1ibrary and the reminder an Branch 11brorive. The sits for the Central librazy should be amsly sutflotent 1o provide for siditiors in the Sutire. £ /on Frven % | | | | | | | | | i | | | | | i | G. sz=t8o_casrz= ,, b | QME JYRRE W CARNEELE —s ! L e s wiians. ”\\\\‘%,—"A | N = (K5 | =7 |\\\7) = = ; — = = %5 | i e 2 » MAYOR PHELAN YESTERDAY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM ANDREW CARNEGIE, THE MULTI-MILLION- | AIRE, OFFERING TO ERECT SEVERAL LIBRARY BUILDINGS IN THIS CITY IF PROPER SITES ARE FUR- NISHED AND THE MUNICIPALITY GUARANTEES TO LOOK AFTER THEIR MAINTENANCE, | - = + he will furnish the needed to pay for the buildings. letter he writes. About half (not more, I fhink less) of this sum should be expended on the central library and the remainder on branch libraries. The site for the central library should be amply suf- ficlent to provide for additions in (he‘ future, for San Francisco is a growing city. This offer on the part of Carnegie is in responge to a communication sent to him by the Mayor: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. MAYOR'S OFFICE. ' City and County of San Franclsco, March 23, 1901, Scotland—Dear Sir: money as soon as In-his Hon. Andrew Carnete, San Francisco is a largs, wealthy and well- governed municipality. It is living under a charter which went into’ effect on the first of January, 1900, which Is regarded as a model of its kKind. Among other things, It does not per- fnit the rate of taxation to-be more than ons dollar upon a hundred dollar valuation, and the udget amounts annually to about 5,000,000, one-half the amount which it costs in New York in proportien to maintain its municipal establishment, This organio check upon ex- penditures, which you will agree !s wise and prudent, requires us to lssue bonds for extra- ordinary publio work. The cltizens are reluctant to increase in- debtedness, which requires a two-thirds vote under the charter, and therefore we look to private benefactions for the adornment of pub- lic places, and for the mnon-essentials of our municipal lite, The city, however, has been very generous In Its organtc law toward publio Iibraries, That not less than 1% cents nor more than 2 cents on the assessed valuation shall | be appropriated annually is a mandate of the eharter for public libraries. On the present valuation of property in this city, the minimum allowed 1s $60,000 a year, and the maximum $100,000. We have housed In our Clty Hall tn unfit quarters, inadequate and Inconvenient, a splen- aid library of more than 100,000 volumes, which is growing every vear, We have rented, in different parts of the city, stores where we have branch libraries, bringing the pecple in direct communication with the central library, whence the books circulate, and at the same time keep on the shelves of the branch libraries large numbers of current volumes, This service is absolutely free to the public, In common with your own views, we appreciate the importance of having a central and a branch library sys- tem, preperly housed, because with the increase of these facilities will follow a more generous use of the benefits which the free library con- “;'éur splendid gifts to the cities of New York, St. Louis and Philadelphia, all on the Eastern seaboard, emboldens us for the first time to make a request that you consider San Fran- elsco among ‘the clttes worthy of your recog- nition. We remember meeting you pleasantly at the entertainment given by the University Club, when, in company with Andrew D. | White, you visited the Pacific coast, so San Franeisco is not a stranger to you. It 1s needless to say that our people would rejolce beyond. measure ‘snould you see fit to grant thelr request and enroll San Francisco among the municipalities that shall have a spe- clal reason for applauding the generous prompt- ings of your heart and the public spirit which animates, no matter where the benefits may fall, your wise and munificent philanthropy. Mayor Phelan has not as yet considered the probable location of the sites for the preposed libraries. The municipality owns a number of available lots in va- rlous parts of the city, but the Board of Supervisors will declde which ones shall be utilized. The site at the cormer of Market and Fifth streets is thought to be an advantageous one for the central library, but -there 1s a lease on the prop- erty which has elght years to run, The question of maintenance would be easy of solution, as the charter would permit of a tax Insuring the sum of over $100,000 yearly for llbrary purposes on this year's assessed valuation .of $415,000,000, Carne- gle’s offer will be laid before the Board of Supervisors, who will take action thereon, The money offered by Carnegle would build at least four handsome branch structures besides the main li- brary. They would probably be situated in the south of Market street district, North Beach, Mission and in the Western Addition. ol CARNEGIE'S GIFTS. Over Ono Hundred Cities Have Re-| ceived Large Sums for Libraries. €an Francisco's approving interest in the munificent benefactions that have gone at Mr. Carnegie’'s hand to the many cities of the United States assumes a more acute and grateful phase in the face of the display of his judgment and liber- ality in her own behalf. Three-quarters of a million dollars is to be given by the great steel magnate on conditions certainly not onerous, and sim- ilar to those upon which all of his gifts have been based, Beventy edd cities in the United States, several jn Canada and twenty-six in Great Britain have had bestowals of i money for free library purposes in sums ranging from $1000 to Guthrie, Oklahoma, to $5,200,000 for sixty-five branch libraries in New York City. Fourteen of those in the United States get over $100,000, thirty-two between $30,000 and $100,000, seventeen between $15,000 and $50,000 and twelve only get than $15,000. ‘With each of these gifts went the same condition exacted in our own case, 1. e., that the city recelving it should bind it- self to appropriate each year a certain sum, generally 10 per cent of the amount of the donation, for the maintenance of the free public library to establish or aid which the gift was made. In many instances, as with New York, sites were to be provided by the citles, and the full amount of the gifts expended for buildings, books, etc. The sarae re- quirement was made In the case of Mr, Carnegie’s donations for libraries in Eng- land and Scotland. In sixty of the reciplent citfes In the United States and in thirteen in Great Britaln the Institutions so established and aided by Mr., Carnegle's liberality have been called after his name, the old titles where existing being dropped and “Car- negle Library" substituted. If this is done in the cities having a number of branch libraries like St. Louls’ and New York, the bufldings so far provided for bearing that name will number over two hundred, It is well, therefore, that all understand that “Carnegie Library" and “Free P "= lio Library” are symonomous ‘erms, Whether the doner's name is to adorn the San Francisco library buildings that are to be erected with the money Mr. Car- negie offers is yet to come up. The amount bestowed upon San Francisco stands well up to the top of the list of Mr, Carnegie's gifts for library purposes, New York, with her $5,200,000, leads; then St. Louis and Philadelphia come with a miliion each and Detroit keeps us com- pany with another §750,000. Then come his three earlter beneficiaries—Allegheny, Pa., with §530,000 and Braddock and Homestead with $500,00 each. Then Washingtun, D. C., and Duquesne, Pa., with $350,000 each and Carnegfe, Pa., with $250,000. The Carnegle Institute and branches at Pitts- burg have had $3,870,000. The largest do- nation in Great Britain was to the Publie Library, Edinburgh, $250,000. Dunfermline, Continued on. Second Page, less