Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-29


Owen was incompetent, thoroughly untrust- |
worthy, guilty of circulating malicious Sian. |
ders against his superiors, and slipshod in the |
handling OF public moneys. There WAS also a
specific allegation that Superintendent Owen |
had attempted to secure improper payment Of
Q voucher.
suPERINrESDEST OWEN on THE STAND.
Superintendent Owen Of the immigration
bureau of the Treasury Department was Hrst
examined for few minutes. In reply to Sen
tor Chandler Mr. Owen said that he had been
present at the investigation each session for
the reason that he had been summoned by the
two chairmen. Mr.. Owen declared that be had
had nothing to do with the bringing about of
the investigation, nor had he furnished any in
formation upon which It was based or con-
Quoted.
DISCLAIMERS By THE cHAIRMEN.
Chairmen Chandler and Stump then put in
disclaimers that their investigations were con-
Quoted at the instigation or the suggestion of
Mr.. Owen. Mr.. Stump said that he had asked
for an official investigation as the result Of his
personal Investigations made at Ellis Island
shortly after this Congress convened.
1t seemed to him then that u great deal Of
money had been spent, and he had asked 70
an investigation. He had secured no informa
ton from Mr.. Owen, who had rather with
drawn from him (Ar. Stump since the investi-
cation began.
Mr.. Owen in response TO questions said that
he had nothing to do with improvements at
joint authority with the assistant secretary OF
the treasury, Mr.. Nettleton, but he had nothing
to do with expenditures.
CHARGES AGAINST suPr. OWEN.
Mr.. Nettleton was again put on the stand.
In the course Of his examination Mr.. Nettleton
placed in evidence the following letter:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Office of the Secretary,
WASHINGTON, DC, March %. 1892
The Honorable, the Secretary Of the Treasury.
Sin:
1t has become my official duty to invite your
attention to the following facts. which l am
prepared to substantiate in every particular,
and to ask that such action be taken by the
Secretary of the Treasury and by the Presi-
dent as those facts may seem to warrant
/. Mr.. W. ID. Owen, superintendent Of immi-
grafton, is unfit and incompetent to perform
the duties of the office which he holds.
2. He is thoroughly uutrustworthy in the
performance of his official duties.
B. He has been guilty Of circulating malicious
ISLANDERS against his superior olkcsr in the de-
parrment
l. His ideas Of official regularity and integrity
are slipshod, reckless and a source of Sc
rious risk to the public funds partially within
his control
s. 1 hand you certain papers marked '.Ex-
ruary, 1892, John b. Weber, United States
commissioner of immigration at the port of
New York, transmitted to the Secretary 6f the
Treasury certain bids received in answer to
advertisements for the furnishing Of
instr uments, books hospital clothing and
druggists glass ware for use in the medical de-
partment Of the immigration service at New
York, said letter clearly showing that all the
bids received we're thus transmitted. Said
letter further recommended that in each case
the lowest bids be accepted and the articles
purchased, such lowest bids being clearly set
forth and recited, with the names of the several
bidders and the amount of each bid.
Such lowest bids recommended to be &C.
cepted aggregated S628.05. On February "a,
1892, W. ii. Owen, superintendent of immi-
his initials and sent to my desk for signature,
letter addressed to John b Weber, commits
sioner of immigration, authorizing him to
accept all the bids he had received, ,reciting said
bids in full by names and amounts, which
amounts aggregated sl,6l9.l4, or more than
$50 per cent in excess of the aggregate asked
for by the commissioner at New York.
Said letter was signed by me on the strength Of
Superintendent Owens check, was transmitted
to Commissioner Weber and its character
only discovered by me upon my arrival in New
York a day or two afterward. Attached to
Exhibit A" is my letter to Superintendent
Owen based upon this transaction, dated March
l, 1892, and declining thereafter to sign letters
from his Office authorizing the expenditure Of
public moneys unless accompanied by the
original papers upon which they were based.
1 also hand You certain papers marked Eek
hibit B." which show that on or about the LIST
day of January, 1892, William d. Owen, SUPER
intendent of immigration, Joined Frank n.
Larned and other persons in . persistent At
tempt to put through the department
and collect the money upon false
and fictitious voucher for $l17 SO for the alleged
service of person not in the employ of the
government and who. to Mr.. Owens previous
knowledge, had not rendered the service for
tendent Owens official approval and certificate
that said services were rendered are attached 10
said fictitious voucher. certified copy whereof
forms Q part Of Exhibit A." When said
fictitious voucher came to my desk for approval
it was stopped and its payment prev prevented. On
my attention. called upon Mr.. Owen in writ
ing for an explanation. CSee my letter of that
date forming part of Exhibit b On the 20th
Of January Mr.. Owen responded in writing,
furnishing such explanation which admits the
entire transaction (see his letter Of that day,
forming part of Exhibit b.. and gives no In
timation that he did not then regard the
voucher as still in force. The original voucher
itself is in the possession Of the Depart
ment with Mr.. Ovens approval uncanceled,
which fact should be considered in connection
with his subsequent statement that at certain
stage he had abandoned the attempt 70 get the
voucher allowed and paid 1t is left for the
proper authority or tribunal 10 decide whether
the transaction In question constitutes criminal
offense under section $40, Revised Statutes.
In any case the moral standards and the fitness
for responsible station Of . bureau officer Who
10 capable Of engaging In such an attempt and
then submitting such an explanation are left 10
the judgment Of the Secretary.
Ever since Mr.. Owen assumed his ofRos In
July, 1891. I have been compelled, - his
superior officer by your asoiRnment 20 call hin
attention very frequently TO the blunders ana ir-
Irregularities committed in his once and for which
lac was directly responsible. These blundsrs
and irregularities, II permitted 70 60 uncor-
rected, would have brought the departmsut
into ridiculs, entangled the govsrnmeus in
annoying complications and in certain m
stances - herein shown, would have rssultsd
IN the wrongful abstfAction Of mousy ffen
the public treasury. Respectfully yours,
(6igned) A. b NErrLxTou,
Assistant 0ocrooaxy.
sPrihes lrichasl," who calls hiusslf -
s9essiah, - arrss1sd yesterday q Ds9otA
4ich-, On complaint of hi vifA Las1iS