Evening journal., 1892-04-18
CHIEF FORD ACCUSED
Mrs. Wright's Charges Against
the Pension Official.
RAUM SAYS HE WILL INVESTIGATE

II the woman's Story Is True, she Was
Prosecuted By Her Male Superior In the
Bureau because She Refused Certain
Proposals-Ford In Trouble Before.
WASHINGTON, April IS. The story OF the
persecution OF Mrs. Carrie l.. Wright has
been a revelation to the people of Washing
ton Mrs. Wright is clark in the record
division Of TIA pension Office, Of which VIII
liam T. Ford Is assistant chief Ford, IL Is
said, although a married man, made inn
proper proposals TO her, which Mrs. Wright
resented. From that day Mrs Wright's
life in the pension Office has been burden.
In every conceivable way Ford sought 10
be revenged, using his official power for
this purpose. When she could stand it no
longer, Mrs. Wright sought the advice and
protection Of Mr. Landon, also an assistant
chief of the record division, and Landon
took the matter to his chief, who at the
time was W. II. Barker. Mr.. Barker has
since been discharged by Commissioner
Raum.
Not Reported 10 RauH.
When testifying before the special COM
mittee investigating she pension Office h
admitted that Mr.. Landon came 10 him
with Mrs. Wright's story and that he inn
mediately took her from the disagreeable
work to which she had been assigned by
Ford and restored her to her former desk.
He did not, however, report the matter to
the commissioner, believing that he could,
as chief Of the record digision, afford Mrs
Wright ample protection from FOrds per8e-
4 A.. II.
but made IL his business 10 zee that Ford
did not interfere with Mrs Wright. AS
long as he was in the Office Mrs. Wright was
unmolested, but whenever Mr.. Barker was
away he came back to the oiiico again to
find Mrs. Wright away from her desk and
assigned to work at files, which compelled
her to stand all day. After this occurred
twice Mr. Barker issued an order that Mrs.
Wright was not 70 be assigned 70 any Other
work.
This made Barker and Ford enemies, and
no one rejoiced any more than Ford wher
Commissioner Raum brought the AK dowr
on Bakers head.
Once Before Accused.
Fori's record as a clerk IN the department
is a good one, he having served the govern
ment for forty-throe years, with but onl
break That was few years ago, when h
was discharged from the pension Office b.
Commissioner Black upon charges mad
against him by woman clerk IN the Office
These charges were not reduced 70 writing
IL is said, however, that they were Of
} similar nature to the charge now mad
against him by Mrs. Wright
} Commissioner Raum Talks.
Commissioner Raum was seen by a n
l. porter about the Ford case. He said. 9Th
first time ! ever hesrd Of this matter WI
about ten days ago when Ford told me thi
- a Mrs. Wright, clerk under him, had bee
a summoned TO appear before'the investiga
ing committee and would be interrogate'
d he had reason to believe, concerning charg'
10 Of improper conduct she had made again
. him. He denied that he had ever affronte
III the lady, and gave his version Of the episoC
>, upon which the charges rested.
"He said be met her by chance one nigl
l. two years ago, and having an Office aoquain
ance with her he spoke TO her and walk,
{ along at her side. Both Of them turned I
:. + street and walked together 10 Mini
street Donohue, another pension OH
y employee, was standing on the corner
n Ninth and r. and Ford said as he and MI
Wright came up, Donohue, you must n
IL think anything Of my escorting good loo
n ing young widow along the street
"He spoke jestingly and lightly, he sal
v and both Mrs Wright and Donohue smil
r.. at the remark, and the lady walked
alone. That was Foriis story TO me Of I
n meeting Mrs. Wright on the street.
~ 'sThe next morning Mrs. Wright came
- very much agitated and requested 10 spe
with me privately. Then for the first tir
L heard her side Of the matter She h
- spoken TO but two persons on the subje'
)r she declared, and seemed at loss 10 und'
- stand how the matter had reached the col
~ mittees ears. However, she declared ID
S Ford had accosted her on the street with
80, improper proposal and she had repuls
" him, and that he had afterwards subject
g her TO many annoyances and hardships
the assignments Of the division In which s
II was employed. Mrs. Wright was 50 ov'
IS come by the prospect of the publicity of {
1. matter that she went home sick. I told
ii had no advice 10 give her except TO Z
Nj the committee the whole truth
! planned 10 her that she owed il to herself
III make clean breast Of the matter, keepi
X back nothing"
An Investigation TO BE Made.
''Have you taken any steps 10 investigl
the truth Of Mrs. Wright's charge abe
FordF
at an early day. That portion of the char
relating to the conversation Of the street
a question Of veracity between the tv
There were no witnesses according to M
Wright. But / can ascertain from the wo
. Of the division, Of which Ford is an assista
chief il Ars. Wright has suffered any han
ship at his hands, and II she has it will
toward corroborating her story
H'Mrs Wright is a well appearing IA
who stands well, so far as l know. / rega
the charge as an exceedingly grave q
Men who have women under their directi
and in some measure in their power oul
2 70 be held TO the most rigid accountable
for their conduct They cannot carry the
selves with too strict propIiety and no pI
ishment would be too severe for him "
had used his place TO betray women uns
=, his charge or who had prosecuted them
maintaining their purity and refusing