Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-24
AN Ex.CLERK.S CHARGES.
He Says He Can Prove That Millions
OF Dollars Have Been Taken from
the Treasury WrOngsully-Contro
Lawrence Denies the Charges,

Lawrence Denies the Charges.
Mr. J. J. Barker, formerly clerk in the judiciary
division OF the first controllers ONCE In the Treas
uary department at Washington has written an
open letter 10 the President making charges OF
gross departmental irregularities in the passing OF
accounts, which he claims TO have had exceptional
means OF observing He stands ready he says, ITO
prove by the vouchers" on HE In the registers
office or the Treasury department that millions OF
dollars have been wrongfuly taken from the United
States Treasury.
Among the general charges made IN the letter Is
one that limited states attorneys present false
DIS TO the department. and that they are allowed
after their falsty has been shown" IL is also
serted that various Illegal payments have been
made In connection with the swearing I'm and the
service OF United States marshals and supervisors
OF elections He asserts that senate executive doc
ument, Forty-eighth session, No $50, which is sup
Elemental and shows additional expenditure In the
Star route only begins to show the enormous sums
mat We're actually paid out I'm the so-called star
route trial, and that the bills OF witnesses for at
tendance and mileage Were sent by such witnesses
from various states and territories and were paid.
Mr. Barker states that he resigned his place for
systematic frauds that are being perpetrated
through the first controllers Office
WHAT CONTROLLER LAWRENCE SAYS
STAR reporter found First Controller Law
renee to-day deeply interested in reading the
charges OF fraud preferred by Barker swell said
the controller, as he aid down the paper 'sths is
the first complaint 1 ever heard that allowed an
illegal claim. The protests have always been that
/ diSallowed legal claims / am in no way dis
turoed by these charges. Mr.. Barker cites number
OF Instance of alleged Illegal claims which were
passed by me. can't remember particulars I'm the
cases out am satisfied that when the matter is
looked up carefully, as IL Will be, there will not be
found q single case that had an atom OF fraud con-
nected with it that was allowed Some OF these
cases are familiar TO me- He asserts that Commits
Sioner Shields, OF New York city, filed an illegal
Dill for swearing L. $ deputy marshals and SUPER
ylSofS OF election In 1880. That question I
examined and decided last July that a
commissioner Is entitled 10 receive fee for
such duty. The only question is whether Barker is
Is better lawyer than l am. Again, he asserts
that Marshal Erhart. OF the eastern district OF
New York. presented vouchers for the payment OF
supervisors OF election and deputy marshals for
but one day. The fact is, that the law allows ten
DAYS service, while these men were allowed pay
but for five. could go through the whole list I'm
this way and refute the statements made IL had
the papers by me-"
WHY BARKER RESIGNED.
1t is generally believed that other reasons than
those stated by Barker ian unwflungness to be an
accessory to fraud) actuated him in resignng; but
Judge Lawrence declined TO speak on this subject.
From other Officials OF the department IL was
learned that there was complication OF
affairs in BarkerS case which led to a re-
quest for his resignation. The principal
reason assigned was because OF the trouble occa-
creditors IL was minated. however, that there
were some matters connected witha claim In the
controllers Office which did not pass that were
being investigated which might throw some light
on the matter when the Investigation was CON-
pleted.