Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-24
After the Pension Swindlcr~

DISTRICT ATTORNEY CoRKHIIL PROPOSES TO PROSE-
CUTE THE MEN WHO DEFRAUD OLD SOLDIERS AND
WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.
District Attorney CorkhiIl has written the follow
Ing letter TO Secretary Teller:
"Some days ago had an interview with Hon W
w. Dudley, commissioner or pensions, In regard To
number OF complaints have been receiving for
some time concerning the methods employed by
certain attorneys or claim agents In this city n the
presentation and prosecution OF claims for pensions
1lied In the Pension Office. beg to say that have
since been making careful examination OF the al
legations from various persons regarding the sub
1ect and have become satisfied that the grand Jury
OF this District should give these complaints a
tnorough investigation. so that innocent men NAV
not be subject TO unjust mputatens and the guilty
charges made against them. have con-
suited with Mr. Attorney General Brewster
brief the charges. He has directed me to proceed
10 full and exhaustive examination OF the COM
plants. and assures me that shall have the earn
est cooperation and assistance OF the Department
OF Justice and its officers. The character OF the
enormous frauds which are being perpetrated upon
applicants for pensions by certain claim agents OF
Washington Will, IL the allegations are Sustained
py the evidence, surprise the public The devices
eempioyea employ are as numerous as the skin OF dis
Defore me are heartrending in their details
Manned and decrepit soldiers, and the poor
MldoWS ana helpless orphans OF soldiers nav
heir ptttance OF 81, $2 81 or $40 to agents who must
know their claims are worthless and can never fse
pau, anu tute agents merely file formal apptca-
uon 10 enable them TO collect money from their de-
luded clients Ii the present law Is Inadequate TO
prevent such transactions Congress should provide
an efflclent remedy. am sure that you viii agree
win me that some action should be taken In
order to proceed effectively shall need the assist
ahce or the tension office In the investigation and
nave therefore the honor to request that YOU viii
drect the commissioner OF pensions TO detail an ex-
alnlner 10 report TO me for temporary service with
authority TO investigate all the claims connection
with which charges are made against attOrneys
ana 10 specially examine such cases as shall de-.
sire to present TO the grand jury their conder-
atlon ana action. The persons defrauded are moor
and comparatively helpless, and form a class 10
Wnom the country owes special protection III the
representations made TO Inc concerning the devices
used TO defraud them OF their little earnings are
true they rival In cunning the artrceS OF the most
experienced SwfndlerS who practice three card
monte and similar games. III nothing else were ac-
compllshed by the investigation it would at least
warn SOLDIERS and their widows and orphans OF
thelr danger. and prevent In future their being
Swlndled OF their money, and IL will yindicate hon.
est agents from unjust suspicion"
DstI1ct Attorney Corkhil is desrous that all SOL
0erS or Others having copies OF deceptive circulars
rom agents In this city, or knowledge of any
1rauCulent transactions their part should so far
interest themselves in this attempt of the aufhorI-
S TO protect soldiers and their families as 10 send
MIN full information, so that the cases reported
may be prepared by special agents Tor legal prose-
cutiOn.