Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-15
A RESIGNATION CALLED FOE.

REsI0NArION CALLED FOE.
The Assistant Chief Clerk Of the Pension
| Bureau Steps Down and Out.
| An INVESTIGATION DiscLoskD THAT He HAp
BEEN GUILTY OF SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES
| A SAMPLE CASE AND HOW IT WAS WORKED.
The resignation of Green B. Raum, IT,, a.
sistant chief clerk of the pension office, was
accepted this afternoon, 70 take effect thirty
days hence. It would have been worded
so as to take effect immediately had
not the authorities been moved by the sympa-
Raum's imprudence.
STORIES OF IRRKGULARfrIEs.
Some time ago the attention Of the Interior
Department was directed to Green B. Raum,
jr., and in little while the atmosphere of Sec
rotary Mobiles Office was clouded with rumors
that appeared to havo in them so much of
solidity that they were bound to receive atten-
ton. An informal investigation was set on
foot. Charges were made that Mr.. Raum
had, while assistant chief clerk Of the
pension bureau, appointed persons to positions
| In the bureau in return for financial benefits
received or promised.
A POSITION FOR PAT.
One Of the cases was laid before Secretary
Noble, and upon it that official took Inn
mediate action. The story, which comes
from indubitable sources, is generally to
the effect that South Carolinian advertised
IN one OF the local newspapers for .
government position which would pay him
not less than $50 per month, and in
declared his willingness to reward the
one who could work him in with the sum Of
900 cash. The advertisement was replied to
by q colored man who is employed in
the Treasury Department and who had been
connected in domestic capacity with
the Raum family. This man informed the ad-
vertiser Of his ability to secure him the
coveted position. The first step was to intro
duce the South Carolinian to Assistant Chief
Clerk Raum. That was done by the colored
man. and in a short time the recommendation
Tor the southerners appointment went through
the regular channels and the appointment was
made. In some way or other the commission
got into the hands Of the Treasury employe and
rior Department. An exchange was effected.
the colored man getting bis $500 while
the gentleman from South Carolina walked
away with the precious document. The colored
man testified that he paid the greater portion
OF this money, but MIR. Raum denied this state
ment.
SUBSTITUTE IN AN EXAMINATION.
Before these matters became known the case
developed still further. The South Carolinian
wanted promotion. He needed $1,000
salary and was willing to pay for It.
A job was put up by which a clerk in the
pension Office personated smith. for that
was the South Carolinian's name. before
the civil service commission. The substitute
passed good examination and when Smiths
name was drawn from the eligible list Smith
himself put in an appearance. The photograph
OF Mr.. jackson, who was the pension Office
clerk, not being en- the papers, there was no
way in which to identify Smith, so he got the
appointment.
SECRETARY NoRIE's PROMPT ACTION.
As soon as Secretary Noble was aware Of
these things he promptly discharged Smith,
Jackson and q clerk in the Indian bu-
resu, who was in some manner concerned
in the affair. Then the Secretary
called upon Green B. Raum, IT,, to bring
forth his resignation. To this Mr.. Baum
durate. Very naturally Commissioner Raum
heard something OF the trouble and
he at once secured his sons resignation. He
did not believe any Of the stories upon which
the Secretary based his action, but he said he
half. If the secretary did not believe his
son was conducting his Office properly he
(the commissioner would do everything in
his power to place the bureau in q satisfactory
condition.
The resignation was not rendered directly to
Secretary Noble, for he had gone to st. Louis; it
was handed to Gen. Bussey, the second assistant
Secretary Of the Interior (who has charge of
pension matters) and he had not acted upon it
until this afternoon.
ANOTHER REVELATION.
This morning there was another revelation
Of some interest and it was this-coming to the
knowledge Of First Assistant Secre-
tsry Chandler-that closed matters up
in a hurry. 1t seems that about three months
ago the sum of S72 was received by
the pension Office from pensioner
much more than was fet due hi hn'
A letter accompanied the notes and this
was signed Honesty As was customary the
sum was placed in the safe Of the assistant
chief clerk for 8 afe keeping until it could be
turned into the Treasury.
THE MONEY NOT THERE.
When the money was called for it was not
there and it remained absent some time. The
chief Of division, who was responsible
for 1t made inquiry as to its whereabouts and,
as was developed in testimony given today be-
fore Secretaries Chandler and Bussey, it was
found to be in the possession Of Green
b. Baum, IT,, he having borrowed it and
applied 1t to his personal uses. Yesterday
several days after Mr.. Raums demanded resig-
nation had been handed in-the money was re-
turned by MIR. Raum.
Secretaries Chandler and Bassey sat in judy
ment on the case for q couple Of hours today;
called for testimony from pension Office en-
ployes. heard them in the presence Of STAR
reporter, and finally concluded to accept the
resignation in a hurry.
GEN. RAUM NOT REspoNsIBLE.
The authorities state most emphatically that
Gen. Raum is in no sense responsible for the
conduct of his and at least one of the assist
ant secretaries is certain that the commissioner
is ignorant of the occurrences which have
brought about the unfOr tunate condition Of
affairs.