The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-18
RASCALLY CLAIM AGENTS.
NOW THEY OPERATED BEFORE the
DISTRICT hoard or AUDIT.
An Understanding Between the Thieves md
EMPLOYEES Of the Bonrd-N estcrday's De-
velopments Hefore the Honnc ComnIiticc.

An Understanding Between the Thieves md
EMPLOYEES of the board Yesterdays De-
velopments Before the House Committee.
WAsuINGToN, Feb. 17.-The District { ON
mittee made still further developments to-day
In regard 30 the Ring OF claim agents who have
been operating before the Board Of Audit 1t Is
now clearly demonstrated that there was AN un-
Outstanding between Hewitt and other claim
agents, and employees in the Board OF Audit,
whereby Information was furnished to the
former which enabled them to work
up claims and get heavy allowances
thereon and thus rob both the District and the
contractors. There is ground for tho belief that
the clerks who were guilty Of this betrayal Of
official secrets were employed In the Engineers
ONCE as well as In the Board Of Audit Hewitt
the Fellow who appears to have been the most
successful manipulation of claims, had in his
confidence clerks in the Engineers office, and
Johnson, the late Secretary of the de funct
noarl ot Pubiic Works, was employed I'm the
1t win be remembered that a committee Of
clyzeps OF 1s cry called upon the
tested against the retention OF the men
who had been in the service OF the Board
ton which had demonstrated the rottenness Of
that Government showed also that many Of the
subOrdinatcs OF boss Shepherd were corrupt (;
but the citizens who gave this advice were In
eject told TO mind their own busi-
ness. the assistant engineers who had served
Boss Shepherd and Measurer Babcock In making
out false and fraudulent bills against the United
states Tor work done around Government prop
erty were retained by Engineer Hoxie, just az
johnson. the Secretary of tho Board Of Public
Works. was retained bv the Commissioners.
The developments thus far made show that the
District has been Systematically robbed on old
and probably bogus claims " large sum Of
money. and If the committee Will devote few
weeks to the same line OF inquiry. II will doubt
less show that not less than half million dol
lars was stolen in this way.
n. "a 40 nd tfraR
tor under G. l.. Evans and others. said he thought
there would be something due him on the set
all togethersom $4,000 worth fwofk, and there
were some unadjustod claims against the con-
tractors, and he expected TO get his money when
these men came 10 settle with the Board N
Audit. lie had been looking after the matter
officials.
one evening Hewitt, accompanied by john
claim, and offered him $1,000 for II. He reulied
that he could not tell how much was coming TO
INN until the original contractors were settled
with; but Hewitt stuck TO him, and at length,
by representing that unless he was employed
not cent could be obtained, Hannah concluded
that II would be best to give him power Of
attorney TO collect his claim and allow him one
half thereof. Hewitt collected $3.50, but he
gave Hannah $l.l5O only alleging that he had to
divide with other parties. A few DAYS after this
Hannah discovered that at the very time he WIS
induced to give Hewitt the power OF attorney
there was certificate for 5000 made out for
him and awaiting him at the Board of Audit.
HIS clerk had been there that very day, and was
soon.
Fitzpatrick, n contractor. had been promis ed
an extention OF his contract by Mr. Blow. one Of
the Commissioners, TO grade Eleventh street
East. He agreed tn do IL at twenty cents per
cubic yard, but before the contract was execut-
ed Blow was called away, aud then ketcham
gave II TO another party at twenty seven cents
per yard. one-third higher. by this the District
lost $l5tOO.
DIR. j. b. Blake testified that Mr.. Blow was very
much incensed at this action Of ketcham, and 10
believed that IL was mainly the cause Of Blow
rendering his resignation.