The Portland daily press., 1883-10-24
PENSION swINDLERs.
Four Agents Suspended by Secretary
Telier-The Matter TO be Laid Before
Congress.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.-Yesterday afternoon
tne 1rst steps were taken by Secretary Teller
towards remedying the fragrant abuses prac-
tised BY pension agents in fraudulently OBJ
tanning money from innocent people. Four
agents, recommended by Commissioner Dud-
ley for disbarment, were ordered by Secretary
Teller to be suspended, the most prominent be-
ing the firm of Milo B. Stevens & Co., OF
Chicago the largest firm in the country, hav-
ing offices in at least half a dozen cities. Some
OF these cases had been waiting action for
months, but have never reached the secretary
until his attention was called to them yester-
day. He has also promised that all further
recommendations from the commissioner shall
receive his entire endorsement, and ordered
that none be allowed to wait more than 46
nours before being especially called to his at
tention. Other cases are now being prepared
III the pension Office, showing up other claim
agents.
N. w. Fitzgerald has notified the pension
bureau that he has refunded the fees collected
from ex-reDel soldiers who applied for PEN
they had no claims. This repayment was
made under pressure from Commissioner Dud-
ley, who demanded an explanation of such
methods. His explanation is to the effect that
no fraud was intended, or that the head of the
nr.n did not know what his subordinates were
doing; yet several of the applicants distinctly
Stated that they we're in the rebel service.
Ihere are cases now being worked up in which
Fitzgerald Is concerned, to which he will find
It difiiculs to make answer, the penalty for
which is disbarment. Jenkins Fitzgerald had
20 go on similar case. S. I. Fitzgerald, an-
other member OF this industrious family, has
been recommended for dsbarment on the
same ground, and Nathan w Is turn comes
next.
The frauds on the pension lists are now, for
the first time, in fair way to be righted, and
Secretary Teller will strongly urge Congress
to rectify some things in the laws under which
the fraudulent agencies are now hiding. There
is law enough now to put an end to the
methods now in use. Within few days an
other phase OF this war on the fraudulent PEN
sion ageHts will be made public.
District Attorney Corkhill is very desirous
that all soldiers and others having copies of
deceptive circulars from agents in this city, or
knowledge OF any fraudulent transactions on
their part, should send him full information
that each case may be put in shape for legal
prosecution He has written Secretary Telor
asking that an examiner be detailed with full
power to investigate such cases in the Pension
Office as he may direct with view of placing
evidence before the grand jury. In the letter
Corkhii says: II have consulted Attorney
General Brewster upon the subject, and he
directed me to proceed to a full examination OF
the complaints, and assures me l shall have
the earnest cooperation and assistance of the
Department OF Justice. The character of the
enormous frauds being perpetrated upon appli-
cants for pensions by certain claim agents in
Washington will. il the allegations are sus-
tanned by evidence, surprise the public Devices
employed are as numerous as the skill of dis
honest men can contract. Some of the cases
before me are heartrending in their details
Manned and decrepit soldiers, poor widows and
helpless orphans of soldiers, pay their pttance,
one, two, four or ten dollars, to agents who
must know the claims are worthless, and can
never be paid. These agents merely file the
formal application to enable them to collect
money from their deluded clients If the
present law is inadequate to prevent these
transactions, Congress should provide an eff
cient remedy. The persons defrauded, who
are poor and comparatively helpless, form
class to whom the country owes special protec-
ton. II the representations made me concern
ing the devices used to defraud their little
earnings are true, they rival in cunning the ar
tifices Of the most experienced swndle:s who
practice three-card monte and similar games