The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-09
JONES DEFENDED.

Judge Chandler Says His Secretary Did
Nothing Wrong In tho Pension Office.
SPECIAL TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. March S.-The special pen
sion investi eating committee of the House
convened to-day and proceeded with It's
examination of witnesses. Assistant Sec
rotary Chandler. of the Interior Depart
ment. was the first witness. After telling
the committee of his official relations with
the Interior Department, the resignation
of young Raum was brought up. and his
connection in the matter was explained to
the the committee. At the request OF Mr..
Enloe Judge Chandler told the committee
what he knew in connection with the
S72 conscience fund. He said that George
II. Harries. q reporter of the Evening
Star, told him about the incident and
said that he was going to publish it. After
a consultation with Secretary Bussey, Mr.
Harries was prevailed upon to give the
name of his informant. to be held In con-
fdenoe. Upon this agreements tho name
was given and on the information several
Pension Office employees were sent for and
examined. Judge Chandler said that Mr..
Tanner. chief clerk of the department.. was
in possession of young Raum's resignation.
which wac being held on condition.. He
it. Judge Chandler said he had never re-
ceived charges about young Raum receiv-
ing money for illegal transactions.
Mr.. Enloe asked the witness II he knew
of anyone In the Pension Ohce VINO was
interested in the refrigerator company.
Judge Chandler said that all be know In
connection with the matter was by read
ing the newspapers. He explained to tho
committee why his confidential clerk,
j. j. Jones, visited the Pension Office on
n a w n n
appointed TO his present position he lived
In district IN Kansas which contained q
great number of soldiers, and he received
requests from them in regard to their cases.
He simply sent Mr. Jones to the Pension
Bureau In order to find out the status
OF claimants.
"Was your attention ever called to the
fact that Mr.. Jones was going beyond your
Instructions in the matter and pushing
these claimsp was asked
"No, SIR" replied the witness. II don't
think the young man is familiar
with pension laws. He does not investi-
gate the cases. but simply does manual
labor in carrying the information. l have
every confidence IN him."
Mr. Enloe read letter from the Commits
slOner of Pensions, to the effect that ones 6
visits impeded the work of the bureau.
Judge Chambers letter of reply was read.
showing that he had evidence to the effect
that his manner of work did not impede
the work. and Judge Chandler said he had
invited the Commissioner to come and con-
fer with him on the matter, which he has
never done, and Jones still visits the bureau
with slips.
Il think" said Judge Chandler, that it
had been represented to the Commissioners
of Pensions that Jones was handling the
files" He thinks now that the Commits
sioner is satisfied that J0nes's visits are
proper.
In answer to q question. the witness said
that no partiality was shown to claimants
because of his lChandler's taking part in
the case of applications.
Mr.. EnlOe asked the witness if it had
ever occurred to him that his private Sec
rotary had abused his confidence by work.
ing for pension sttorneyss The witness
SAID he could not see how it was possible in
the circumstances. In answer to another
a san efficient man in his position. If he
found that he abused his confidence he
would discharge him.