Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-10-24
DISHONEST PENSION AGENTS.
District Attorney COrkhilI 10 IDaug-
rate n Wholesale and Sweeping
Fight Upon Them.

Fight Upon Them.
WASHINGTON, October 23-The following
letter of District Attorney Corkhiil is the
first step in the movement on the part Of
the Government to put stop to the prac-
tees of dishonest claim agents. In the
course decided upon by Attorney General
Brewster Secretary Teller and Commis.
sioner Dudly are cordially invited.
Col. COrkhIIl - Very DESTROYS
that all soldiers or others having copies Of
descriptive circulars from agents in
this city or any knowledge Of
fraudulent transactions on their part
should so far interest themselves in
this attempt OF the authorities to protccS
soldiers and their families as to send him
full information to the end so that each
case may be put in shape by special agents
for legal prosecution.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
OFFICE. Washington, October 23.-Hon.
Henry NJ. Teller, Secretary Of the Interior,
Sir-Some days ago 1 had an interview
with Hon. W. ". Dudley,
Commissioners OF Pensions.
in regard to number of complaints have
been receiving. for sometime concerning
the methods employed by certain attor-
neys or claim agents in this city in the
presentation and prosecution OF claims for
pensions filed in the pension office, | beg
to say l have since been making careful
examination OF the allegatiO 8 from various
persons regarding the subject aud have
become satiStNi that the grand Jury OF
this district should give these complaints
a thorough investigation so that innocent
men may not he subject 10 unjust imputa-
60 - Gniltv ones NAV n" "-----
answer
The Charges Made Against Them.
I have consulted with Attorney General
Brewster upon ,hls subject aud recited to
him in brief the charge. He has directed
me to proceed to full and exhaustive eX-
animation Of the complaints, and assures
me | shall have the earnest cooperation
and assistance of the Department OF JUS
tire and its officers. The character OF the
enormous frauds which are being perpetra'
ted upon applicants for pensions by Ger.
tain claim agents in Wsshtngton Will, II
the allegations are sustained oy evidence;
surprise the public. The devices employed
are as numerous as skill and dishonest men
can contriye. Some cases before me are
notwithstanding in Their Details.
Manned and decrepit soldiers and poor
widows aud the helpless orphans OF soldlers
pay their piEtance, 81, s., 81, or S!O TO the
agent, who must know their claims are
worthless and can never be paid and these
sgents merely fiji formal application 10
enable them 10 collect money from deluded
clients.
If the present law is inadequate to pre-.
vent such transactions Congress should
provide an efficient remedy. am sure you
will agree with me that some action should
be taken. In order to proceed ethechVeiy
| shall need the assistance OF the pension
office.
In the InVeSttr1tiOu.
ard have therefore the honor to request
you will direct the Commissioner OF Pep
siOus to detail an examiner 10 report ID me
for Temporary service with authority 10 m
yesiigate all claims in connection win
which charges are made sgainss attorneys,
and specially examine such ciSes as s6s'l
desire to present to the Grand Jury. Inc
persons deirauded re Eoor and compSrI-
| lively helpless, and form class 10 whom
! the country owes special protection. Ii
| the representations made to me concerning
| the devices used to
| DeTPaud Them of Their Little Earn
are true they rival in cunning the aruhces
Of the most experienced 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 or
| nhsns of their danger, and prevent in the
/ future their being swIndled ont OF thelI
( money, and it will yindicate honest agents
from unjust suspicion.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE B. CoRSHILL,
United States District Attorney.