The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-01
TOOK A POLITICAL TURN.
Some Interesting information Is
Cleaned at tho Investigation Of
the Raum Bureau.
Called in Examiners Who Miuht
Say q Word for the
Democrats.
"hy Mr Kn"m Offered to Turn Over y
HaIance of $h,OOO,OOO To the
Treasury.

WASHINGTON, March 31.-The pension
ONCE investigation took decidedly po-
lltical cast this afternoon, Enloe pursuing
searching inquiry for long time. Hs
asked If the bureau was not used for polit-
lcal purposes. The commissioner said he
never wrote a letter to the medical board Of
examiner requesting the performance of
any political act, but If he a,und examin-
ers using thair places TO aid the dem ooratic
party he would call them in. In assigning
to the field he makes it point 70 know
their politics. He denied that moro ap-
pointments were made in doubtful distriots
Just before elections than at any other
times; also that more pensions were granted
~ districts where votes were needed than
Where not 90 much needed. Enoe asked IL
the ONCE did not adjudicate claims most
rapidly in close congressional diatrcta.
Raum denied this emphatically.
Enloe wanted to know how il was that
in states whore there is democratio ma
jority il was exceedingly difficult to get 1
call ior status answered, let alone get
case adjusted. The commissioner replied
mat calls had averaged about 1000 day
this session, and latterly had been increas-
ing SO that not more than 25 per cent could
be answered without stopping deciding
claims. Had he not stopped the practice
ne probably would have issued 76 600 less
certificates than last year. Enloe asked il
the real reason the commissioner turned
over $1,000, 600 to the treasury last summer
was not because the treasury was reduced
to financial straits. Raum said he had
balances to report at the close of the fiscal
year, and as he could not use them next
year hs called on the secretary of the treas-
ury and informed him he could transfer
S50O0,OOO The secretary said he would be
glad II it we're done, and the commissioner
gave the necessary directions.
The case Of Clerk Renaux, who was dis
charged from the pension Office for
having written the articles which ap-
criticizin2 the conduct Of pension officials
ana commenting particularly on one case.
Was taken up. Raum said Renaux had the
papers in the case on his desk and had no
right to take them from the files. Renaux
denied having written or inspired the artl-
for the Tribune. Inc article was mis-
statement. Raum further stated IN bis
complaint to the secretary that Renaux.
after Commissioner Black went ont of Of
ice, had boasted Of having written the we'll
known physical wreok' articles. A
wrote the article or furnished the
facts. Then ensued long
colloquy between Ranm and Enloe.
Enloe asked if Raum sent somebody to see
Russell Harrison to get him to use his in
duence with the controlling powers of the
Tribune to stop the attack upon his
Raum's) administration. kaum said he
had no such knowledge or information and
knew nothing Of anybody having spoken to
Whltelaw Reid to get him to stop this mat
Ser. He understood one of the principal
men OF the Tribune had conversation with
}en. Bussey, and that gentleman seemed to
90 laboring under the Impression that the
department. was much dissatisfied with
kaum's management, and they informed
aim quite the contrary. He supposed this
gentleman also saw Secretary Noble. He
Raum) knew absolutely nothing about
Russell Harrison, Lemon. or others inter
'edinR with this man. He had not under
tood that the influence of the administra-
ION was brought to bear on Whitelaw Reid;
lad never spoken to the president to Rus.
ell Harrison, or Lemon. on the subject.