Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-08-22
THE RAuM INVESTIGATION.
Representative Cooper Leaves the Com
mittee Room In Anger.

mfttee Room In Anger.
WASHINGTON, Aug 22-When ths special
house committee appointed to investigate
the charges made by Representative Cooper
Und.) against Commissioners - Pensions
Raum met Monday Commissioner Raum
was placed on the stand. Mr. Cooper stated
to the committee that the charges he had
made were based upon newspaper items,
but he had aseertained himself by private
inquiry that there was foundation for them.
He thought that the investigation was due
congress as we'll as the commissioner him
self, with whom his relations had always
been pleasant. He had no personal griev-
ance against the commissioner aud was
present because the committee on rules
preferred TO have him appear as an attor-
ney for the United States. Commissioner
Raum stated that Mr. Cooper would not
say that he had not been in constant cor
respondence with the men who wrote the
newspaper charges. Mr.. Cooper interrupt
ed him 70 say that he had never communi-
Gated with the newspaper correspondents
before the publications were made; after
ward he asked the sources of their informa-
tion.
Continuing, Mr.. Raum said that he was
present TO give all the information no pos
GODUufI
and he feared no investigation But he
objected to dragging in the private books
Of the refrigerator company, as it had
nothing TO do with the charge Of official
corruption. Therefore he declined TO bring
the books called for He would state
broadly that no stock had been offered to
any employe of the pension Office, nor had
any employe been promoted as result Of
taking stock in the company. Mr.. Cooper
asked Gen. Raum to state how much he
was worth. To this question the members
Of the committee objected on the ground
that 1t was not proper. Mr.. Cooper became
excited, and said that II was plain that the
committee was endeavoring 10 shield Gen
Raum. This remark caused excitement.
and the scene was intensified when Mr.
Cooper rose from his seat aud walked out
OF the room, evidently very angry.
The examination OF Gen. Raum was then
continued without Mr.. Cooper. On cross
examination by Mr.. Lewis Gen. Raum
said he had abolished the practice of call.
ing up cases out Of their order, and under
the new orders Mr. Lemon, TO his knowl-
edge, had not been shown any preference
whatever. For the information Of the
committee Gen. Raum had read orders
issued by him creating the completed files
and notifying agents TO apply for settle
ment of completed cases. Mr.. Lewis, re-
ferring to Gen. Raum's previous statement
that he had transferred to Lemon $l00. 900
stock in gypsum mine as a consideration
for indorsing Gen. Raum's note for s25, 100,
asked how much the stock in the gypsum
mine was worth. lie thought Gen. Raum
should tell the committee this.
Gen. Raum said the stock was worth
| about So 700. In answer to a question
Mr.. Raum said that Mr.. Lemon had never
received any preference in regard to his
cases. Lemons cases had never been ad
vanced in any way either to obtain fees
as charged. or for any other reason. Mr.
Lewis at this point said that the sudder
and inconslderate withdrawal Of Mr.. Cooper
had placed Mr.. Goodnight and himself 9TH,
Democratic members Of the committed il
! an awkward attitude That the investiga
ton might be thorough it was necessary
that Mr. Cooper should return. Mr. Cooper
would return II he and Mr.. Goodnight
would request it. Mr. Cooper had left til,
room in some temper and others also hat
shown temper Mr.. Lewis said that h,
thought that Mr. Cooper was wrong il
asking the question that caused the rupt
ure, and he had voted with his Demo
cratic brothers to sustain the question OF
| general principles and rather reluctantly
| This remark caused much laughter Mr.
Cooper was sent for and shortly appeared
The committee, however, decided to ad
1 journ for the day.