Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-21

hespecial House committee this morning
began the investigation of the charges made
against Pension Commissioner Raum by placing
| the commissioner upon the stand
MR.. cooPER's PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.
Mr.. Cooper prefaced the examination by .
statement to the effect that his charges had
been based upon newspaper articles, and that
ne had, upon private inquiry, ascertained that
there was foundation for the articles. He be-
heVed that the investigation was due to Con-
gress as well as to the commissioner himself
with whom his relations had always been pleas
ant and friendly. He Cooper had been
omitted from the special investigating COM
mittee on the ground that he was an interested
party. To that action he had at first acquiesced
put upon investigation had found that there
was no precedent for leaving of the committee
the mover OF the resolution under which it was
appointed. He had no personal desire or am
pitlon to serve, but mentioned the fact to ex-
plain his relation to the investigation. He had
no personal grievance against Commissioner
ltaum and was present because the COMMITTEES
on rules preferred to have him appear as an
alternate for the United States and the people,
COMMISSIONER RAUM, REPLYING,
said that he had nothing to do with the make
up OF the committee. Mr.. Cooper would not
gainsay the statement that he had been in con-
slant communication with the men who wrote
the newspaper articles.
Mr.. Cooper interrupted to soy that he had
never communicated with the newspaper cor
respondents before the publications were made:
formation.
Continuing, Commissioner Raum declared
that he was present to tell everything that had
any bearing upon his official conduct and he
feared no investigation. But he objected to
dragging in the private books of the refrigera-
COmnaQy. hnd 10 do 81 81,
charge OF official corruption. Therefore he
had
DECLINED TO BRING THE BOOKS
called for. He would state broadly that no
stock had been offered to any employee of the
Pension Office nor had any been sold to any
employe, nor had any employee Of the Pension
Office been promoted as result of any sales of
stock.
Mr.. Cooper declared that he could not pro-
ming.
Mr. Sawyer denied that there was any such
intention. and he asked whether Mr.. Cooper
expected to show that stock had been sold to
employees.
formed
Mr. Sawyer asked il he knew of any en-
ploye who had been offered or who had pur-
chased stock.
Mr.. COOPER DECLINES TO BE INVESTIGATED.
Mr. Cooper declined to be investigated.
The commissioner said he did not object to
the fullest investigation and would help the
committee. He was president Of the Universal
Refrigerator Company, had the books knew
the stockholders and was prepared to swear
that no other Pension Office employe
held the stock. The men behind Mr.. Cooper
had set themselves the villainous task OF
destroying his (Raums) character and credit.
He was willing that the members Of the COM
mittee should inspect the stock books, but not
that 1t should go into the record.
INSISTING ON SEEING THE BOOKS
Mr.. Lewis insisted that the book should be
produced, as it was the best evidence.
Mr.. Sawyer offered resolution requiring the
evidence to be taken as to tho first charge to
relate to the alleged promotion Of employees
because Of purchase of stock or connection
with the refrigerator company.
Mr. Goodnight thought that the stock book
was the best evidence. II that was not obtain
able the committee had just as well close up
now.
Mr.. Sawyer's resolution was then adopted,
Messrs. Goodnight and Lewis the democratic
members, voting against it.
THE COMMITTEE TO SEE THE BOOK.
Mr.. Sawyer then inquired il the commits
sioner would supply the committee with the
book Of stockholders in the refrigerator COM
pany, to be withheld from publication.
The commissioner said he would furnish the
matter to the committee. The trouble was
that Mr.. Cooper gave to the press everything
that he got hold of. He had published the let
tiers that he (Raum) had furnished him to sub
NIT to the committee on rules.
Mr.. Cooper did not see why the commissioner
should want to conceal facts.
Mr.. Smyser asked II Mr.. Cooper would not
accept the assurance of the committee after il
had examined the stock book that no Pension
Office employees name appeared upon it.
Mr.. COOPER WANTS TO SEE FOR HIMSELF.
Mr.. Cooper preferred to look at the book
himself. He had heard it rumored that PEN
sion Office employees had taken the stock, and
when the newspapers exposed the thing the
subscriptions were withdrawn and the list can
celed.
Commissioner Raum challenged the state
ment and without reserve denied that any en-
ploye in the Pension Office had ever become in
terested in the company.
MIR. Cooper said that he was not ready to pro-
coed unless he could see the books.
Commissioner Raum didn't want Mr.. Cooper
housing through his papers unless he would
agree to keep them out of the newspapers.
Mr.. COOPER WOULD NOT AGREE
to that, because his inquiries az to whether
fgurehcads had not been put up to represent
Pension Office employees would be made pub
licly and he would not assume responsibility
for any publications.
The commissioner said that the company was
no ''snide" affair, that there were no sisters"
"aunts' or cousins" i'll it, and that the stock
list was made up Of well-known men OF high
character.
Mr. Cooper declared that unless he could see
all OF the books and papers OF the refrigerator
company he had no desire to 60 on with the
investigation, but finally consented 70 proceed
until the production of the documents became
necessary, and began the
EXAMINATION OF THE COMMISSIONER
Mr. Raum said that while he had had about
one or two hundred pension cases on his docket
when he was appointed commissioner he had
given no personal attention to that class of
business, but left it to his sons. who were as
ISOLATED with him in his legal practice.
Mr. Cooper asked what property MIR. Raum
possessed when appointed commissioner.
The commissioner submitted that this was
not proper inquiry and the committee de-
cided that it should not be answered.
ANOTHER BRICK FROM Mr.. COOPER.
Thereupon Mr. Cooper again refused to pro-
coed, saying that the decision of the committee
revealed "a predetermined disposition to
shield this man from fair investigation"
INDIGNANT coMMIrTEEMEN.
This aroused the ire of the majority mem
bers.
Chairman Morrill, declared that the language
was uncalled for.
Mr.. Sawyer exclaimed: Il won't submit to
that No gentleman would make it, and am
personally responsible"