The morning call., 1890-07-27
MARE ISLAND.
CfOokGdneSS Discovered by The United
States Secret Service.

WASHINGTON, July 26.-Detective Carter
Of the United States Secrect Service has re-
turned to Washington. At Mare Island he
was familiarly known as Mr." Carter, but
the truth is he belongs to the United States
Secret Service. He was detailed by the
Treasury Department to investigate certain
alleged frauds at Mare Island. Upon his
arrival here he reported to the Department
in the following words: " Things are rot
ten at Mare Island. Among other things
discovered was the stealing of Government
supplies by Sailmaker Redstone." No
further information can. be procured at
either OF the departments, as those who
know anything about the matter are en-
Joined to secrecy under penalty of dismissal.
Nor Will those detectives sent to Mare
Island prior to the arrival of Carter upon
the scene, divulge any further information
on the matter. 1t is learned that the alleged
defaulter, McCudden. is on the bond of Pay
Director w. w. Williams, in the sum Of
$4,000. Williams has just been relieved
from duty as general Store-keeper at Mare
Island. The appointment of John L.
Ryan, vice GeOrge Weniger, resigned, to
cierkshlp In the general St0re-houSe is. con-
sidered reflection upon Williams, as Ryan
was McCudden's clerk in Sacramento.
An officer from the United States ship
MOnUngahela arrived here about q week
ago and made statement at the Navy De-
partment about the Mare Island affair. His
testimony, it is learned, corroborates We'd
derburn's story. A California Associated
press correspondent learns that this officers
story was TO the effect that AN emplOye of
the navy-yard was approached by Con-
tractor MeCudden several years ago on the
subject of 'coal-weighing," and he imme-
diately reported the facts to said officer,
and the latter advised him To report this
fact to Whitney, who was then Secretary of
the Navy. After mature Considera-
ton it was thought that the result
of such report would simply array
the word of the contractor against
that OF the coal-weigher. lnasmuch as Nc
Cudden was man OF influence it was de-
clded 10 let the matter drop for fear that
his influence with the department under a
Democratic administration would cause the
removal of the cOal-weigher, who could not
at that time afford to lose his situation for
the mere sake of serving his country"
1t Is also learned that Williams has been
especially partial to McCudden's interests,
but whether this is due to the fact of Nc
Eudden being on his bond will appear
later. But the facts stated here by Detec-
tive Carter are to the effect that Williams
made frequent visits TO the coal pile while
lie was acting in the capacity of coal
weigher, vice Wedderburn, and while SO
engaged endeavored to impress upon Car
ter the necessity of giving McCudden a
square deal" This fact, it is stated at
the department, again cOrroborated We'd
ueTUuTH story.
A letter was received by Navy Depart
ment clerk about eight months ago from
Daniel Hubbard, chief clerk, to Williams,
IN which Hubbard speaks of Williams in
general complimentary terms, but states
that his CWllliamso management of the
office was very Indifferent and loose. That
the clerks were appointed over Williams
head, and that he (Hubbard), as chief clerk,
had no control over them. He also mem
tons John Connolly, book-keeper in that
office, and charges that Connolly has held
the reservation bills of Contractor Walker
for six months without forwarding them to
The deDartment for payment, thus keeping
Walker out of his money. Connolly is also
private secretary to Contractor McCudden.
Walker and McCudden are, and have
always been, competitors for Mare Islaud
bids. 1t is a we'll established fact that Con-
nelly has been Il constant correspondent of
the private secretary of eX-Secretary Whit
ncy. His influence with McCudden and
Whitney, ex-Democratic Secretary Of the
Navy, and George +. Belknap, Democratic
-Commandant of the Navy ard, has been
source of much worry to Hubbard, who
is rated pay clerk of the United States
Navy.
This Mare Island expose has been
fortunate thing for the Democrats who con-
time to hold responsible positions under
this Administration as the Secretary of the
Navy did not wish to make any changes
pending the investigation Tor the last nine
teen months.