SINGER FRAUD CASE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1912, Page 7

SINGER FRAUD CASE.

BROWN MAKES A STATEMENT. DECLARES MACPHERSON'S INNOCENCE. By Telegraph.— Pi ess Association.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 23rd April. The trial of F. D.' Brown, and J. MacPherson, on oharges of defrauding the Singer Sewing Machine Company of various moneys, was continued today. Brown, in a lengthy statement, traced how as general manager he had built up the company's Australian business from £50,000' .t0 £200,000 a year. His -expenses were very heavy, and it was impossible to keep private accounts free from the expenses accounts ; . but a Tecord was kept of everything. , His overdraft was clearly shown in the cashbook balances. If he had been allowed to go to New York he could havo explained everything. He in no way cheated or defrauded, or induced anyone ol&e to do so. Brown declared that MacPherson was absolutely innocent j he had simply carried out his instructions. MacPherson made a statement con. firming that ho acted only under instructions.

When, the Singer case against MacPherson was before the Water Police Court last month counsel for the prosecution put in several documents, one being a letter from MacPherson to the general manager of the company m Sydney, in which he stated :—"I: — "I am forced to inform you that I cannot prooped to Melbourne to take up the position arranged ; neither can 1., continue in the company's employ any longeT, as I am nothing less than an out-and-out embezzler, and whatever the consequences to myself, whatever the trouble I bring on others, I have, but the on© alternative, to make a clear confession as far as it lies in my power, tlien await arrest on your warrant. I have no wish to plead to you, no excuses to make. / I merely place myself before you a eelfcondemned embezzler. Ever since I took over my present position I have been tampering with the company's moneys, so much co that my defalcations amount to thousands of pounds. I suppose it is the old story of expecting to make good your shortage and getting further into the mire." After explaining tho manner in which he altered tho company's books to cover up the defalwwlions, MacPherson continued : "I wish to exonerate here all blame from anyone else in the employ, for any entries made in central office cash-book not in my handwriting, for such entries were made at my dictation. . . • Before giving you a list of shortages, as are known to me, I want to &ay that I want no mercy shown me, as all I get I deserve. My only sorrow is for the terrible disgrace 1 have brought on my own people, and the injury I hav€i done to my fellow-employees." Iv giving particulars of the shortages, as known to him, MacPherson wrote :—: — "1 cannot write much more. All I can "say is when general manager cautioned me re going to races I was too heavily, involved to stop away, and my only chance was, I thought, in taking further risks with the company's money. . ... I should say my total defalcations exceed £6000. ... I leave myself in your hands to prosecute, 'as I expect no mercy. I am simply leaving Sydney because I would rather faco the law than face my past employees. . . . The cash 1 have boon tampering with has mostly been ieci»ivcd from the. showroom each night, and while crediting the city with that amount' have had to reduce the totals of other remittance, letters. Whatever my fate (and I expect no mercy) I am glad I have written this confession, as I (have suffered more in mind during tho past few years than I could it lifetime in gaol."