Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-24
PENSION CLAIM AGENTS.
THE CRUSADE AGAINST THEHE
FORMALLY ANNOUNCED.

Their VillainOus Methods for Robbfns
the Needy Fully EXplained-AI the
Departments Processing Eagerness to
Thwart the ScOundrels-A Batch of the
attorneys Temporarily Suspended.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.-Upon the re .
| cOmmendation of the Commissioner of
Pensions the Secretary of the Interior has
ordered suspension Of the following pen
sion attorneys: j. r. Cilley, of Rockland.
Me-; Francis Register and VIM. H. Druen.
OF Philadelphia; Milo b. Steven Il Co. of
/ Cleveland, Washington, Detroit and Chi
cago; VIM. III. Wills & Co, of WASHING
ton, and JAS. IL. Russell Il Co, of Tren-
ton. The Commissioner recommended
that the soliciting of the above-named
persons be disbarred, but the Secretary
suspended them in order to allow them
an opportunity to make reapplication.
The following letter of District Attor-
ney Corkhill is the first step in the move
ment on the part of the government to
put a stop to the practices of dishonest
pension claim agents. In the course de-
cided upon Attorney General Brewster.
Secretary Teller and Commissioner Dnd.
ley are cordially united. Mr.. COrkhill is
very desirOus that all soldiers or others
having copies of deceptive circulars from
agents in this city, or any knowledge of
any fraudulent transactions on their part.
should so far interest themselves In this
attempt OF the authorities to protect sol.
diers and their families as to send him
tuli information, to the end that each case
may be put in shape by special agents for
legal prosecution.
|. >. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFEICE.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. %, 'S3.S
10 H0n. Henry ". Teller, Secretdyy 0fthe
Interior,
Some days ago had an interview with
Hon. W. w. Dudley, Commissioner Of
Pensions, i'll regard to a number of COM
plants l have been receiving for some
time concerning the methods employed
by certain attorneys or claim agents in
this city in the presentation and prOsecu-
ton of claims for pensions filed in the
pension office. ! have since been making
careful examination of the allegations
from various persons regarding the sub
lect, and have become satisfied that the
grand jury of this District should give
these complaints thorough investiga-
tlOn, so that innocent men NAV not be
subject to unjust lmputations and the
guilty may be brought to answer the seri-
GUS charges made against them | have
consulted with Attorney General Brewster
ON this subject, and recited to him in
brief the charges. He has directed me to
nation of the complaints, and assures me
that | shall have the earnest cooperation
and assistance Of the Department of JUS
tice and its officers. The character of the
enormous frauds which are being perpe-
trated upon applicants for pensions by
certain claim agents of Washington will,
II the allegations are sustained by evil
dence, surprise the public. The devices
employed are as mum 1rous as the
skill of dishonest men can contriye.
Some of the cases before me are heart
rending in their details. Manned and
decrepid soldiers, and poor widows and
helpless orphans of soldiers, pay their
pittance of 81, 81, 81 or $40 to agents who
must know that their claims are worth
less and can never be paid, and these
agents merely file a formal application
to enable them to collect the money from
their deluded clients. If the present law
is Inadequate to prevent such transac-
tiOns Congress should provide an
efficient remedy. | am sure that
you will agree with me that some action
should be taken. In order to proceed
effectively ! shall need the assistance Of
the Pension Office in the investigation, and
l have therefore the honor to request that
you will direct the Commissioner of PEN
sions to detail an examiner to report to
me for temporary service, with authority
to investigate all claims in connection
with which charges are made against
attorneys, and to specially examine
such cases as | shall de-
sire to present to the grand jury for their
consideration and action. The persons
defrauded are poor and comparatively
helpless, and form class to whom the
country owe special protection. If the
representations made to me concerning
the devices used to defraud them of their
little earnings are true, they rival i'm cum
ming the articles of the most experienced
swindlers who practice the card monte
and similar games. If nothing else were
accomplished by the investigation il
would at least warn soldiers and their
widows and orphans of their danger and
prevent in the future their being sWindIed
OF their money, and it will vindicate
honest agents from unjust suspicion.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE B. CORKHILI.
United States Attorney of District.