The daily gazette., 1876-04-07
THE CLOTHING FRAUDS,
A PHILADELPHIA FIRM GETS Sl4O, ,OOO
COMMISSIONS.

A PHILADELPHIA FIRM GETS Sl40,OOO
COMMISSIONS.
WASHINGTON, April 5-(Special to
the N. Y. Sun).-The House Naval
Committee to-day examined William
Matthews, of New York. at length as
to what he knows about securing con-
tracts from the Navy Department
through the house of +. G. Cattell 8
Co., Of Philadelphia. Mr.. Matthews
produced his books and showed that
he had paid that firm for doing moth
ing the sum of S140, ,e60, which was
five per cent. on contracts for clothing
naval stores. and supplies, amounting
to the aggregate to nearly three mil
lion dollars. The way it came about
was this: The Cattells were influen-
tial with Secretary Robson, and with
this advantage in their favor they in
formed Matthews that it would be
u. elcss to attempt to underbid them,
for they were going to open house in
Philadelphia and compete for all the
contracts. Acting on this hint Mat
thews asked them on what terms they
would not bid, and they agreed on five
per cent. on the gross amount of the
contract. With this understanding
Metthews was awarded the contracts.
Matthews then exhibited to the Com
mittee his books and the entries made
to the credit of the house of e. G. Cat
tell & Co.
"There," said Mr.. Matthews point
ing with pride to his books, II am a
Christian, member of the Presby
terian Church, and merchant. and
demand to know of this Committee
If there is any evidence before it which
involves my reputation in the slightest
degree"
The Committee thought he was
playing bluff game. and informed
the Christian merchant that In the
course of time he should have an an
swer to his question.
Up to to day. the amount which. 1t
was said, had been paid to the Cattells
was $780, To day $1,000 was
addee to the amount, and, in addition
SIC, ,00o more for securing the allew'
ance OF a $32, 900 claim against the
Navy Department. This is good
showing for the Cattells.
OF course R0beson AYERS that he
knew nothing of all this, but the con.
nection between himself and the Cat
tells is shown to be too intimate to
warrant the belief that they were
abusing his friendship. For instance
A. G.. Cattell admitted, when ho was
examined before the Naval Committee
some weeks ago, that on June 20, 1871
he purchased seventeen lots of one
Jas. j. Shedd, in Square 1875, in this
city, for the sum of $22, ,779 80, which
he still holds in this own name, but
Robson has an undivided half in
terest therein.
The following kilograms which pass
ed between Robson and the Cattells
during, 1878, assume considerable I'M
portance in this connection:
Oct. a, 1878.
To the Hon. Geo. NJ; Robeson. care
Paymaster Cutter, 20 Broadway, N.
Y.-Arranged matters with Cook
Must make change in paper. Leave
for home six to day. CATTELL.
OcT.4, 1878.
To Percy War;, ESQ, care Alex. g,
Cattell 81 Co., 26 N. Del. av., Phila-
delphia. Have Irwin Mcclure write
L. l.. Stanton. Receiver First National
Bank. He waives protest on the two
notes due 9th and 9th. All right.
Il. G. CATTELI..
| Ger. 20, 1873.
Alex. G. Cattell, Jr., 81 N. Del. av.
Philadelphia. Leave one o'clock to-
day for Philadelphia. Tell Mullett
have order for bid, E. G. CATTELL.