The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-26

N
Corkhili TO Secretary Teller upon the sub
ject OF dishonest pension claim agents,
given out tonight, and the action OF Com
missioner Dudley IN recommending The
suspension Of fifteen firms for dishonest
practices are the first public indications Oh
what Is In progress In the direction OF ex-
posing snd Furnishing what is now known
TO he wholesale swindling and robbery OF
pensioners and claimants for pensions.
District. Attorney CorkhlPs letter Is as
follows:
"Some days ago had on interview with
Hon. W. w. Dudley, Commissioner OF
Pensions, ina regard to number OF COM
plants have been receiving for some time
concerning the methods employed by GER
tain attorneys or claim agents In this city
In the presentation and prosecution OF
claims for pensions fled in the Pension
Office. / beg 10 say that have since been
making a careful examination OF the ale
cations from various persons regarding
the subject aud have become satisfied that
the grand jury OF this District should give
these complaints a thorough Investigation,
so that innocent men may not be subject TO
unjust imputations and the guilty may be
brought TO answer the serious charges
made against them.
81 have consulted with Attorney-Gene-
raj Brewster upon this subject and recited
10 him in brief The charges. He has direct
ed me TO proceed 10 a full and exhaustive
examination OF the complaints, and assures
me that l shall have the earnest co0pera-
ton and assistance OF the Department Of
Justice and its officers.
1.-The character Of the enormous frauds
which are beng perpetrated upon appli-
&c FOR hx f0i alo fp,-a nj g
OF Washington will, IL the allegations are
sustained by the evidence. surprise the
public. The devices employed are as nu-
merous as the skill Of dishonest men can
contrive. Some OF the cases before me are
. heart-rending in their details. Manned and
dccrcpit soldiers and the poor widows and
helpless orphans OF soldiers pay their pit
lance Of one, two, four, or ten dollars to
agents who must know their claims are
worthless and can never be paid; and these
agents merely file formal application TO
enable them to collect money from their
deluded clients. IL the present law Is in
adequate 10 prevent such transactions Con-
gress should provide an efficient remedy.
81 am sure that you will agree with me
that some action should be taken. In order
TO proceed effectively shall need the as
sistance OF the Pension Office in the inyesti.
ration. and have, therefore the honor TO
request that you will direct Che Commits
lioner OF Pensions TO detail an examiner to
export TO me for temporary service, with
authority to investigate all the claims in
connection with which charges are made
against attorneys, and 10 specially eXsmne
such cases rs l shall desire TO present to the
grand jury for their consideration and ac-
ton. The persons defrauded are poor and
comparatively helpless, and form a class to
whom the country owes special protection.
III the representations made to me concern
ing the devices used TO defraud them Of
their little earnings are true, they rival in
cunning the articles OF the most eXpe-
rienced swindlers who practice three-card
monte and similar games. II nothing else
were accomplished by the investigation it
would at least warn soldiers and their
widows and orphans OF their danger, and
prevent in future their being swindled OF
their money, and il will vindicate honest
agents from unjust Suspicion
VIGOROUS INQUIRY TO BE MADE.
Secretary Teller is in full sympathy with
the movement against the swindlers. and
is DESTROYS OF doing everything in his
power to check and punish the extensive
frauds now discovered. The Attorney
General has ordered the most rigorous in
quiry before the grand jury, and will fur
nish all the money needed to make the in
vestigation complete. Special agents OF
competence are busy in the matter, and
the public will soon hear OF results. The
frauds are not confined TO Washington
but large number OF dishonest firms are
doing en- extended business in several por.
tons of the country. Besides those al
ready recommended for suspension, which
recommendation is now equivalent tC
immediate suspension, from six Il
ten other eases are in the course
Of preparation, and action will be ha(
before the week closes There are severa
cases also in preparation for or practically
prepared for the grand Jury. A new i'm
petus has been given to this widespread
system OF fraud by the publication OF til,
pension rolls. Every dishonest agent il
the country appears to have issued deceTl
tive circulars and to be engaged in send
ing them to all pensioners as rapidly as TIT
list can he obtained. These, so far as the,
have been returned here, are full OF false
hoods as 10 the character OF alleged new
pension legislation and as to the promise
held out for increasing pensions and oh
tanning great variety OF claims. With al
go blanks for an application through tn
firm. sending them and the demand for
small fee TO start the case. Such circular
are leaving Washington daily by the ton
The extent OF the frauds will. when mad
known Officially, startle the country.
SECRETARY TELLER's REASONS.
The following are the official reason
given by Secretary Teller for suspendn
the six acted on yesterday. the reason
being the same rs reported 10 him by Con
missioner Dudley. The case OF Milo
Stevens & Co., OF this city, Chicago, Clev'
land, aud Detroit, is that of the large
pension-claim agency in the country. Sc
rotary Teller's letter is directed to IL
Commissioner OF Pensions, and is rs 10
lows:
"Sir.-Your letters have been received
in which you recommend that Milo Ii. ST
vens & Co., OF Washington, ID. c., OF Clev
lard, Ohio, OF Chicago, ILL.,, and OF Detrol
M;ch, be suspended from practice as ATTIC
nays before your office. 1t is alleged in Il
evidence submitted that the said attorne
have. IN wilful disregard OF the rules
your Office, retained in their possession Il
tlmony forwarded TO them by claimants al
refused to further prosecute claims for pc
sions In which they appear as attorne
until their demand for the payment OF the
fees shall have been complied with; IN
they refused TO comply with the request
repayment TO pensioner OF fee they we
not entitled TO receive from the pensione
and that they prepared and filed clal
and demanded and received a fee in a
vance In case in which they must ha,
known from the age Of the applicant.
stated in the declaration, that there was
legal right TO pension. II IL hereby O
dered that the said Milo b. Stevens 4 C.
be suspended from practice before your o
nee, subject 10 the rules OF the Departmel
an such cases."
Walter II. Wills and Norma Wills. undo