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BOTTOMLESS MONEY BOXES. LOST PLEIADS OF OUR SAVINGS BANK SYSTEMNEW MATTERS FOR THE ELLIS INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE-HOW TO PREVENT FRAUDS. It is claimed by many influential merchants and others who have been interviewed on the subject that the present investigation of the official course pursued by Superintendent Ellis will clearly show that his neglect of duty has caused much of the suffering resulting from recent failures of savings banks. It is also contended that, in addition to the banking institu. tions named in Governor Robinson's late message to the investigating committee, there are other corporations whose cases have not been cited. but which furnish new prima facie evidence against the Bank Superintendent. Among these may be cited the Loaners' Bank of New York. About November, 1875, the Bank Superintendent was asked for a report upon the condition of this establishment, but it appeared that, the bank never having been examined, Mr. Eltis could furnish no information about its status. At the same time a lawyer wrote to the Superintendent asking to have the Loaners' Bank examined, but no examination took place, and the institution failed in May, 1876. A gentleman acquainted with its affairs says:"Its operations were worse than those of a low class pawnshop." The community lost $500,000 by the failure, much 01 which, it is claimed, might have been saved had the Banking Department held the corporation to strict account when required to do so. ANOTHER STARTLING CASE. In relation to the New York State Loan and Trust Company responsible parties state that about March, 1875, Mr. Ell's was officially informed by Mr. George W. Reid, examiner, and Mr. William T. Aidrich and others, that the capital stock had suffered an impairment equal to at least twenty per cent. It was the Bank Superintendent's duty to have caused this deneit to be made good, or to have closed the doors of the company under instructions from the Attorney General. No steps were taken by Mr. Exis and the concern was allowed to remain in the hands of the same parties until January 29, 1876, when the impairment of the capital amounted 10 about ninety per cent, and the trustees voluntarily relinquished the remaining ten conts on the dollar to a receiver. The loss 10 the public was about nine hundred thousand dollars. The wretched condition of this company was known to all persons familiar with us general operations at the time. By the statute of 1874 the superintendence of trust companies chartered by the State was placed under the charge of Mr. Ellis, and the condition of this concern was or should have been well known to him. A FRIGHTFUL LIST OF LOSSES. In conversation with Mr. John Mack, of No. 365 Fifth avenue, that gentleman gave the following estimates of the losses suffered by depositors 10 the suspended savings banks, and says that he believes the greater part of the immense sums which are given below migot have been saved if Bank Superintendent Eths bad properly discharged his important duties:$150,000 Abingdon Square Bank 1,730,000 Bona Street Savings Bank 500,000 German Savings Bank, Morrisanta 2,000,000 Mechanics and Traders' Savings Bank 450,000 Mutual Benefit Savings Bank 750,000 New Amsterdam Savings Bank 200,000 People's Savings Bank 400,000 Security Savings Bank 1,440,000 Third Avenue Savings Bank. 120,000 Traders' Savings Bank 1,000,000 Bank of Lainsburg 1,000,000 New York State Loan and Trust Company Loaner's Rauk 500,000 500,000 Security Bank Manufacturers and Builders' Bank. 460,000 Total $11,200,000 HOW TO PREVENT FRAUDS
