Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-23
FRAUDULENT VOUCHERS.
The Navy Department Investigasion.
LATEST pEvELoPNySrs IN THE MATER

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NATTER
The general impression exists In the Navy derart-
ment as well as outside, that the expose OF the
traoos In the bureau OF medicine and surgery Is
not nearly at an end, and that further invesiiga-
ton VIII implcate many persons not yet even sus-
pected Some people intimate that ex-Surgeon
General Wales will be directly connected with the
Hauduient transactions Those who have given
attention TO the subject are OF the opinion
d,r.s' Inat unless tnere are deveiopments OF
ugence can pe Imputed TO him. Two essential safe
guards which would render these frauds imprac-
ucaoie Were evidently neglected. namely the requs
uon TOT the goods needed, and receipt OF their
delivery. OF these, however the latter was by far
sne most necessary, as goods are often purchaser
W the bureau without requisition, upon the Ger
tincation OF the chief that the pubic exigencies
demand their purchase In open market Vouchers
fraudulent transactions discovered. The whole
matter ID growing more complicated as the investi
san9n p,oceeds. ana There Is no telling how far
SaIrlSan ana hfrkwood extended their work.
TIE MANNER OF INVESTIGATING
thus far has been 70 compare vouchers on file In
the fourth auditors ONCE with those In the bureau
OF medicine and surgery, and when a voucher was
discovered which had no duplicate II Immediately
once taken to ind out the particulars concerning It.
II IL was learned that no such goods were ever re
ceiveo by the branch OF the department for which
tney were represented as having been purchased,
the conclusion was reached that II was a fraud
practced by certain parties In the ofrce and the
contractor who recepted for the money and arrests
SECRETARY CHANDLER PROBING TIE MATTER TO THE
BOTTOM.
Representations have been made that II the IN
vestigation is pushed far enough, similar frauds
Will be found to have been practiced IN other pu-
reaus OF the department, but this is considered
scarcely probable, as the restrictions which were
neglected In the bureau OF medicine and surgery
are In practice in the other bureaus and besides IL
would necesSitate an entirely new combination.
nevertheless Secretary Chandler is resolved TO
probe the matter to the bottom, and 10 that end
appointed court OF inquiry 10 make the most de-
tailed Investigations
When Dr.. Van Reypen assumed the duties of act
Ing surgeon general prior 70 DR.. Gunnels APP
pointment, vouchers were submitted for his APP
proval without the receipt of delivery. He asked
tomary he declined TO sign any vouchers unless the
receipts accompanied them.
ALLEGED FORGED SIGNATURES.
Surgeon General Wales 1t is understood claims
that the signatures on the fraudulent vouchers were
forgeries, ana that he never signed a voucher with
out receipt OF delivery Matters In this connec-
uon are growing more complicated. In searching
the desk occupied by Carrigan rubber stamp Was
iound with the following Inscription: IL certify
that the goods mentioned In this bill have been de
uvered. Chief Clerk
1t is not known that this stamp was used on the
lrauduent vouchers; but In case II was, 1t seems
very likely that such receipt, signed by chief clerk
implicitly trusted. as was Carrigan, would have
satisfied the surgeon general 10 the correctness
OF the signature OF Gen. Wales Will have TO be
proved before he can be implicated. IL Will be ne
cessary also to prove the genuineness OF the sigma
lures OF the contractors II the signature OF Wales
is forgery, SO may the others be- and It is held 10y
many that CarriGan and Kirkwood might have
forged the names Of any business men they chose,
and thus keep the proceeds in fewer hands.
THE COURT OF INQUIRY
appointed to investigate the whole subject met at
the Navy department this morning and organized.
Owing to the press OF Official duties Pay Director
LOCKER, one Of the members OF the court, viii not
be able to serve, and Pay Inspector A. s. Kenny has
been selected In his stead. The court will meet
again this afternoon for the purpose OF making
preparations for beginning work but will not enter
who has been summoned by telegraph, arrives from
New England.
WHAT SECRETARY CHANDLER SAYS.
secretary Chandler said to-day that at least the
first part Of the investigation Will be made with
closed doors Commodore Jouett, the president OF
the court said that he thought likely part OF the
investigation would be with open doors.
THE TALK ABOUT OTHER ARRESTS.
Secretary Chandler, while admitting the proba-
bty OF future arrests, said to-day that he thought
the statement that proceedings We're 10 be insti-
tuted against w. B. Moses, Whitaker the sta
toner, and an employe OF Ballantynes store, was
mistake.
A wATcHMAH CHARGED WITH RENDERING FALSE
BILL
An additional arrest was made Saturday evening
In connection with the alleged frauds in the Navy
department. The accused In this case was Lake
r. Jones, Waterman in the War, state and Navy
department building. who was arrested by Detec-
ives Edelin, and Mattingly at his home, Ill Sd
street southeast, on warrant sworn out by Or.
Van Reypen, charging him with having, in Novem-
Der, 1882, made out false bill or account for
&2S6a0 for mattress and pillow covers Bail was
liked by Judge Smell In the sum OF &, 500
JONES COMMITTED IN DEFAULT OF BAIL
In the Police Court this morning, Col Cook,
counsel for JONES' called the to the attention
OF the court, and stated that the bail had been
nxed at Sc 500. and he had proposed to apply for
reduction, but after consultation with Mr. Coyle he
had concluded to waive an examination and make
the application In another court. He waived an
examination, and the defendant was committed In
default OF ball
EK.nQfoNfix,o Act If IN