The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-17
PENSION BUREAU INVESTIGATION.
Confirmation OF the MISUNDERSTANDING Of
Assistant Secretary Chandler, and Others.

Confirmation OF the Notwithstanding Of
Assistant Secretary Chandler, and Others.
Assistant Secretary Chandler was witness
before the Special Committee of the House in
vestigating the Pension Bureau Tuesday,
March g. The question of young Raums res
ignation was brought up by Mr.. Enloe, and
Judge Chandler told the committee what he
knew about the $72 conscience fund with which
young Raum is connected. He was told of the
incident by reporter. After consultation with
Gen. Bussey the reporter was prevailed upon
to give the name of his informant, which was
to be held in confidence. Upon this informa-
ton several Pension Office employees were sent
for and examined. Judge Chandler said that
Mr.. Tanner, Chief Clerk appointment Division,
was in possession of the resignation of young
Raum, which he held conditionally. He at once
sent for the resignation and accepted it. Judge
Chandler said he never received charges about
young Raum's receiving money for illegal trans
actions. Mr.. Enloe asked tho witness if he knew
of anyone in the Pension Office who was inter
ested in the refrigerator company. Judge Chan
der replied that all he knew in regard to the
matter was what he had read in the newspa-
pers. He was not familiar with the cases of the
men who were discharged from the Pension
Bureau for giving, information to the news
papers. Mr.. Tanner, Chief Clerk OF the Appoint
ment Division of the Interior Department., was
then examined. He said he had charge Of young
Raum's resignation. He told the committee in
what manner he came into possession of it, Ono
of the officials. he did not remember who. told
him to get Raum, jr.s, resignation, and he no.
titled him to that effect and received It, The
terms Of the resignation for 30 days leave of
absence and when it was accepted Gen. Bussey
said he would be responsible for the time given
for leave of absence. Witness could not remem-
Der how the resignation came to him, or who
gave 1t to him, through whose hands it
passed in coming to him. He said Assistant
Secretaries Chandler, Bnssey, and himself held
a conference as TO the nature of the acceptance
of the resignation. He never had a CONVEX
sation with Commissioner Raum on the SUBJ
ject, but did with young Raum. Witness read
personal note from Gen. Bussey to him telling
him TO secure the resignation of young Rannn.
Mr.. Tanner stated that the position of APP
pointment Clerk of the Pension Bureau
was created by an order issued by the
Commissioner Nov. %, 1889, but young
Raum, who acted in that capacity, held the
legal position of Assistant Chief Clerk of the
Bureau. Witness was asked if he knew of the
resignation of Edward Howard, and said he
had heard of it. The resignation of Howard
was then read. 1t stated that since he had
filed charges against the administration of the
Pension Bureau he had been subjected to bad
treatment. and although he had offered to
prove his charges, he had never been permitted
to do go. The letter of Commissioner Raum
recommending the acceptance of Howard 8
resignation was read, which showed that How
ard had been absent without leave. The dis
missal of Eugle was then discussed, and it was
shown that the grounds for his dismissal were
not su fiicient ana he was reinstated. The case
of Taylor was also taken up. and letter was
read, written by him to Secretary Noble, in
which he charged that although he had taken
no part in the fight against Gen. Raum, the