New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-17
OLD NAVY TRANSACTIONS.
A REPORT EMBoDYING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUITS
AGAINST Mr.. robson AND MR.. HANsCoM.
LILY IELKGRAPH TIE IRIBuNR.l

AGAINST Mr.. robson AND MR.. HAN5COm
1917 TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSR.i
WASHINGTON, June 16-The report of the House
Naval Committee, embodying the evidence taken
during the past two years which contains the Iaate
rial upon which the recommendations FOR the prose
cution of Mr.. Robson. and Mr.. HanscOm the former
Chief of the Bureau of Construction, will be based
is very long document, although it does not enter
into all the details Of the case.
One Of the transactions alluded TO- which the COM
mittee deals with at some length is the purchase of
the Burlington, steam ferTy-boat, now lying at
League Island. 1t appears that when in the XLIVth
Congress the Naval Committee was investigating
the management Of naval affairs, it had
occasion to inquire into the cost and
use of this vessel alleged then to have been char
tered for the purpose of removing stores etc. from
the old navy yard at Philadelphia to League Island
The charter of the boat was made from the
Eew-Jersey Steam Navigation Company which
was composed of a firm known Wood
Dialogue g. Co. its principal if not its
sole stockhOdeT), at the rate of 81 900
Ter month One OF the members Of this COM
pany. Mr. Randolph Wood, swore in April, 1876
that the Government did not own the boat
Messrs. Robson and Hanscom, who were before the
same committee two months later, July 1876.
that the Burlington was not among the vessels that
had been purchased since 1869. The committee
did not suppose when inquiring about her cost
that she belonged to the Government No one who
was examined intimated that she did Every officer
of the Government who was likely 10 know, and
some of those who did know the facts, were ex-
amined and did not disclose the Governments OWL
ership.
During the recent examination the committee has
ascertained that in December, 1875. a regular bill
of sale for this vessel was made TO Mr. RObesOn the
price agreed to be paid being $4,000. Why this
fact should have been concealed from the other
officers of the Government, well from the
former committee, by the New-JeTsey Navigation
Company, by Mr.. Robson and by Mr.. HanscOm,
the committee is at a loss to understand or explain
Ii is shown that Mr.. Randolph Wood in the sale of
the vessel, undertook to pay some one a commission
of So 900, and his surviving partner Dialogue says
that some such understanding was presented 10 him
by Mr.. Wood but with whom the arrangement was
he does not know. The whole record shows that
Wood traded with nobody except Secretary Robe
son.
Two years ago, when Mr.. Wood was exomineG in
regard to the matter for the second time. the com
mittee says he swore falsely and, fearing lest his
books would show the truth he destroyed the evil
dences Of his guilt by cutting from his books the
leaves upon which were recorded the details of this
transaction, namely the purchase of the vessel by
Mr.. Robson. Very shortly afterward he committed
suicde the cause for which up to this date Ia res
NAMED a mystery. The truth about that bill of
sale was found after Mr.. Hanscom was dismissed by
the present Secretary, when Dialogue d Co. were
seeking a settlement with the department.
II is also shown by the committee mat this same
firm purchased floating dock sold by the Govern
ment at Philadelphia. the terms according to the
advertisement being cash. The entire sum bid was
S35, 400 All except $4,000 was paid in cash and
turned over to the Treasury. This balance OF
$40, 1000 was represented by note, and instead of
being turned over to the Treasury by law it should
have BEEN 1t was by the order Of Secretary Robson
applied to the purchase Of the ngton-cleary
violation of the law. II appears further that in
December, 1875, approved bills for $4,000 were
delivered by Mr.. HsnscOm TO Mr.. Randolph Wood.
In June 1876, these same bills were found in one
of the banks Of Philadelphia as collateral security
for a note Of Wood, Dialogue g. Co. for $27, 900.
BY direction of Mr. HanscOm, tho committee says,
the Naval Paymaster at Philadelphia A.W. Russell,
was brought to Washington the necessity of taking
up these bills was explained TO him and be was
directed TO make en- irregular f6dnisition, upon
which requisitiOn chareeable TO the appropriation
for the eight slopPs Of war was made
by the Secretary Of The Navy upon the Secretary Of
the Treasury for $1,000 With which, Rtd the SUN
In his hands for othei purposes RUSSELL wab |
directed b. Robson and Hapaoom 70 take |