New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-27
SECRETARY NOBLE CALLED.
He IESTIFIES IN THE PENSION OFFICE IN
VESTIGATION.
A STATEMENT AS TO GREEN B. RAUM. IRIS DIS


A STATEMENT AS TO GREEN B. RAUM IRIS DIS
MISsAL
Washington, Feb. 26.-Secretary Noble was OK
amlned to-day by the special House Committee APP
pointed to investigate the management of the Pension
Office The Secretary said that messenger from the
committee had called him and lie said that he
would attend but the messenger had insisted read
Ing the summons although he the secretary had said
it was not necessary.
Mr.. Enloe said the messenger had been told to read
the summons to another Witness and probably took it
for granted that that necessary with every
one.
Secretary Noble said he referred to that for two
reasons First the President had intmated in his
message that free investigation of any of the depart
ments would be Welcomed and he, of course, in
entire harmony with that wish. Second, for the bene-
1t OF his he wanted to protest that the head
" Executive department not subject to process
the House.
Mr.. Enloe then inquired about the removal Of young
ircen B. Baum.
The Secretary narrated the facts. now well known,
how OWL Service Commissioner Lyman called IN
am in MAY, 1891 with paper making the charges
If Raum's receiving money for the appointment or
q man named Smith, another personatnS MN III the
examination. The Secretary said he Immediately re-
qured young Raums resignation lie did not exam
Inc INFO the matter beyond &hc report Of the CIVIL
Service Commission. lie gave Raum time TO ma
something else 10 do and treated him mildly because
Of his relationship to the Commissioner.
Mr.. Brosus, of Pennsylvania and Mr.. Payson ashea
II an opportunity had been given young Raum 10 ueieuu
himself.
The Secretary replied No. because the charges "ero
of such a character, affecting the service so deePH
md were brought TO me by an officer of Governments
bureau which had investigated the matter
Mr. Enloe then asked the secretary about the MING
of charges against young Raum by Messrs Ho"au anu
Engle clerks in the Pension Office, that pe dehnoeu
money from them. lie told Mr. Bussey 10 G'll '"o
Commissioners attention to this matter and request
him to TO II. The Commissioner said the c"'i-''
were circulated TO injure him, and hied counter
charges with demand for the removal OF theSe men
and special Examiner Taylor, who was suspected by
the Commissioner of being connected with the matter
The Secretary told Mr.. Enloe that he Thought the
charges about balanced each other. lie refused 10 10
move Howard and Engle Taylor he had asked 10
resign because he (ir Noble) had previously come to
the conclusion that it would advance the Governments
interests.
Mr. Enloe proceeded to question the secretary as 10
the remoyal of persons without Mr.. Noble said
that il was his rule that must be assigned Tor oil
removals. He did not remember that in 1851 ne had
removed a large force of special examiners.
Mr. Payson said he would show that the men We're
not removed but merely called in from the field, be
cause the funds were practically exhausted.
Mr. Enloe said he would show by some OF the men
themselves that they were removed
The Secretary was next asked about the reratings.
He said the responsibility originally rested on Com
missioner Black, and when he found Comml ssioneT
Tannor was carrying into effect his predecessor
ruling to degree highly injurious to the
that employees should undertake to rerate themS elves
lie thought Commissioner R?um was running the Pen
sion BnIeau with great efficiency.
The decision OF the Board of Appeals as TO pensions
for the Pennsy lyania militia who served sixty days
under President Lncoln's first call was next taken up
and discussed