Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-06-20

olympia, WASH.
More Rottenness in the Pension De-
partment.
1t seems that Hon. Commissioner
Raum OF the Pension Bureau IS to
follow tie inglorious retreat OF Cor
poral Tanner. A resolution has been
filed in the House directing the Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions to inquire
into charges that have been filed with
the President relative to the conduct
OF the Pension Bureau. The charges
against the Commissioner are scandal
Gus, almost beyond belief, to those I'M
acquainted with the process by which
pensions are obtained. For one gifted
with ordinary intelligence, there is no
necessity for any lawyer, or mediator,
in the prosecution of pension claim.
The blanks, showing the evidence re-
quired, are furnished dir ct, on -appli-
cation, from the Depart tent. There
is no occasion for a lawyer unless the
applicant is unable to write. The idea
of having an attorney at Washington
to look after the clients interests is
mistake that brings large returns to
the pockets Of the so-called pension
attorneys, but their clients derive no
benefit for the expense.
To employ an attorney is simply an
additional expense to an applicant for
pension, who pays all the law allows
for the simple sake of letting the cor
respondence with the department pass
through his attorneys hands. Then
it is usually necessary to apply to
some Justice OF the Peace or local law
yer, to have the affidavits of witnesses
drawn, who charges specially for each
occasion what he could do for moth
ing, if the Washington lawyer did not
hold the case. The advantage of the
Washington attorney is not to be seen,
and he is regarded in his true light by
those acquainted with his methods |;
that is, as a confidence man who preys
upon the ignorance OF the old soldiers.
He is thoroughly despised by reputa-
BILE lawyers, but like the quack doctors,
he has learned a scheme to make
money and fiourishes. Tanner dropped
on to the trick while he conducted the
Pension Bureau, and since his expul-
sion has been practicing the tricks he
learned there. In an interview last week
with one of the Washington papers,
in an ebullition Of joy, he announced
that he had made 100000 in the last
year as pension attorney, and expected
his yearly income to soon reach the
figures 100000. This opportunity
might be a great temptation to whom
it is presented. but the poor ignoram-
uses who pay for it ought to open
their eyes. Since his exposure people
begin to wonder why the President
ever appointed Gen. Raum to the Of
fee. At the time he was practically
at the head Of the firm of Green B.
kaum & Co., pension attorneys. The
other members of the firm, were his
sons, John and Green B., Jr. Upon
the installment Of his father into
Office, Green B., was appointed Chief
of the Appointment Division of the
Bureau, and John was left in charge
of the Office where he has continued
to do = fourishing business for the
firm. He has been furnished in ad-
vance with decisions from the Depart
ment, which he conveyed to his pa
irons in solicitation Of their claims.
He has had his cases made special
and called out of the regular order at
pleasure, with no reason to offer but
the inherent prerogative of the firm.
But worse is the fact that Gen. Raum
engaged in selling stock of a company
Of which he is president in worthless
patent refrigerator to his subordinates.
The Bureau was flooded with circulars
advertising the stock, signed by the
Commissioner as President. EN-
ployes who purchased were promoted
without further solicitation ON their
part.
One Turner, who subscribed to the
extent Of $50 was promoted within .
week afterward from position Of $500
TO 81 400; and seven other clerks, of
like experience, have had their names
left on record with the President.
Again. the great pension octopus,
Geo. E.. Lemon, has been for weeks
working up . plan to have special con-
sideration for q lot OF his old cases
that lacked some detail in evidence.
The Commissioner held out against
this scheme for some time, but finally
acceded to it and thereby put $10O, 900
in Mr.. Lemons pocket. Three days
afterward the Commissioner gave HE
note for 81. 600 bearing Mr.. Lemons
Involvement to Washington bank,
and drew the money on it. Then the
President finally called q halt and it
remains to be seen what the Demo
cratic minority of the COMMITTEES hav-
ing charge of the investigation win do
in the premises.
the touch of Midas is not more
wonderful in its results than that wave
Of the hand by Johnny Shields which
has changed the Tribane's abuS6 into
words of praise. The "disreputable
dive" has suddenly become ga source
of amusement to hundreds of work
men" where the Guest Of variety en-
tertainments are given" while dis
play advertisement of the variety show
appears in its columns and is doubt
less the magic power that has caused
the change. The Tribunc's tactics are
not not owb~sxexAl< IA :. o--:-l:-