Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-30

IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF ACTION.
While Gen. Raum in his review Of their con-
duct refers to events that took place some time
ago, yet il is understood that the immediate
cause Of this action in the Gaze Of Engle and
Howard, at least, is the affidavits which they
recently filed with Secretary ..oble charging
Green Is. Raum, jr., with attempting TO obtain
money for himself in consideration OF his in
nuence with his father in securing their promo
ton Gen. Raum regards these charges as an
attempt to injure him through his son.
YOUNG Mr.. RAuMs AFFIDAVIT.
Young Mr.. Raum has made an affidavit
which he has sent to Secretary Noble denying
the statements made by Engle and Howard.
He states that the idea of his attempting 10
carry on an office brokerage business Is pre-
posterous and that his entire energies are de-
voted to establishing himself in business. His
father characterizes the allegation that his son,
either while appointment clerk or later, in
huenced promotions and appointments in favor
OF certain individuals as entirely without
foundation in fact 1t is understood that young
Mr.. Raum has prepared statement covering
the entire period of his connection with the
pension Office and that he has obtained afh-
davits from practically every person promoted
or appointed during that time generating
him from the imputation that he has acted cor
ruptly.
STATEMENT SENT TO THE PRESIDENT.
This statement has been sent to the presi-
dent with review of the entire case 1t is
stated to be the desire of Mr.. Eaum, jr, not
only to clear his own character for the sake Of
his father, but also to pave the way for enter
ing upon the practice of law before the various
executive departments. Gen. Raum believes
that the charges made against his son are not
only untrue, but that they are Cruel as the
evident intention is to strike down the father
through the son.
TALK WITH GEN. RAuM.
When . STAR man saw Gen. Raum this morn
ing he admitted that he had asked the Secre-
tary to dismiss these men, and he was free TO
say that the grounds upon which he based this
request was the malignant pursuit OF himself
which they have maintained so persistently.
He referred to the case of Edward Eenaud.
whose dismissal some time ago he had asked
Tor the reason that he was writing newspaper
articles about the pension Office and its admin
istration which were untrue. Secretary Noble
had approved this request. Gen. Raum SAID
that he had been told when he entered the PEN
sion Office that there were a number of en-
ployes who ought 10 be removed for the reason
that they were constantly causing trouble and
interfering with the proper administration of
the oiice. From his past experience he was
aware that this was more or less true of every
government bureau. He concluded TO try TO
conduct the public business in spite of the
presence in the Office OF men who were by
mature and association malcontents.
CONSPIRACY TO GET HIM OUT.
He found, however, he said, that these men
were following him. spying upon his actions,
and that there was evidently a conspiracy to
get him out of Office. He had concluded that
the time for forbearance was ended and
that the interest of the public service
demanded that the activity of such
men should be stopped, as far at least
as their connection with the government was
mad "a .los h..
always ready and willing to meet any criticism
upon his administrator of the Office. He was
not afraid OF his record since he had been CON-
missioner Of pensions, but he believed in fair
methods even in fight. He added that he did
not propose to be driven out of office and that
the men who seemed to desire most his retire.
ment to private life had adopted policy which
was most likely to defeat their object.
GEN. BUssEy SURPRISED.
Secretary Noble was not at the department
today and SO it was impossible to obtain from him
any idea of what his action would be in regard
to Gen. Raum's request. Gen. Bussey, the as
sistant secretary, who has the supervision of
the affairs of the pension Office, was informed
TODAY by STAR man Of Gen. Raum's request.
He expressed surprise and said that he had
heard nothing of such a request He thought
that II such paper had been sent to Secretary
Noble from the commissioner of pensions
he would have heard about il, and on this
ground he was inclined to doubt that Gen.
Eaum had taken such a step.
THE SITUATION SERIOUS.
However, there is no doubt on this subject in
the mind of Gen. Raum or of several of the
leading officials oil the pension Office. The stu
alton is regarded as a serious one from one
point of view. There is no doubt that either
these men mast go or Gen. Raum can no longer
continue TO be commissioner Of pensions. At
least that seems TO be the general opinion. The
men named by the commissioner tor dismissal
are on record as making certain charges, which
Gen. Raum claims false. He alleges that
their motive is to injure him and drive him out
OF the office. From this standpoint these men
are guilty of gross form of INSTRUMENTATION,
and their official heads must be the penalty in
the event that they fail to justify the course
which they have adopted.
WHAT MR.. TAYLOR SAYS.
The men whose dismissal has been asked by
Commissioner Eaum were seen today by a STAR
reporter. They were all surprised to hear that
this action had been taken and
when informed by the reporter of this
doubtful whether il could actually be 80. How
ever, they soon recognized that it was not an
impossiUility and talked quite freely of the
situation.
MIR. F. NJ. Taylor said that if Gen. Raum con-
sidered that he was an enemy that the general
was fully occupied in looking after his own
interests and he did not have time to attend to
the business of other people.
ASSERT THAT THEY TOLD THE TRUTH.
Messrs. Engle and Howard were seen to-
gether aud they both said that if they had COM
mitted any crime, Of which. however, they
were not aware, it consisted entirely in tell
ing the truth about the attempt made by
Mr.. Raum, jr., to use his fathers Influence for
a money consideration. They had in the
affidavits presented to the Secretary merely
narrated the facts they had occurred and
made no reference or allusion to Gen. Raum. The
blame. if blame there was, consisted, they said |
in their telling the truth. They were entirely
willing to abide by their action and trust to
the good Judgment of the Secretary in his con- |
sideration of what they termed the singular re- |
guest of Gen. Raum.
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
RruDINQ pERMTrs