The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-04-06
A SCANDAL
AfKectinR Some Of the Members of the
Behring Sea Commission.


Behring Sea Commission.
WASHINGTON, April 1. Secretary
Gresham, with cooperation of Secre-
tary Carlisle, has brought to light o
scandal affecting members of the Beh-
ring sea commission now in session at
Paris. 1t is probable that Maj. Elijah
j. Halford will be recalled from his pres
ent position as pay disbursing officer of
the Behring sea commission unless he
consents to certain material changes in
the condition of affairs as Secretaries
Gresham and Carlisle find them. More
over, it is probable that the services of
ex-Secretary of State John w. Foster,
who is now serving as agent for the
Behring sea arbitrators, would be dis
pensed with if his recent high position
as cabinet officer did not in some
measure protect him from too harsh
criticism and too summary action.
Secretary Gresham's attention has
been brought to the subject by his in
vestigations into the present status Of
the Behring sea question. Secretary
Carlisle's attention was also directed to
the subject because, as head of the de-
partment, he was obliged to pass upon
certain payments of money, which are
now the subject of disclosures
The two secretaries began to consult
together and found that their investi-
cations led to the same conclusions.
Then the records were searched. They
disclosed that Secretary of State Fos-
ter ordered the payment of $15 per day
to Maj Halford in addition to his regu-
lar army pay of So, 500 year. The ad-
ditional SIS day, which is made q
charge against the state department, is
more than the daily pay Of senator or
member of congress, as the latter re-
ceive only s14 day and do not enjoy a
regular salary from the war department
in addition.
The army pay of Maj. Halford added
to the state department pay would
make about $s,675 per year. 1t is not
disclosed just what sum Secretary Of
State Foster directed to be paid to
agent" Foster, of the Behring Sea
commission. The records of the two
departments show, however, that the
most if not all of the staff Of the Behr-
ing Sea commission was ordered to be
paid large amounts daily over and
above their regular salaries One OF
these officials is Mr.. ]. Stanley Brown,
who married daughter of the late
President Garfield Mr. Brown is on
the staff of the Behring Sea commission
at s15 per day. But the records of the
treasury department also disclose that
Mr. Brown is commissioned as an Off
GER of the treasury department to make
certain investigations of seal life, for
which he is drawing pay at the rate OF
$40 per day. Thus Mr.. Brown receives
s25 per day, which is SO, 1913 per year, Or
more than the pay of a cabinet officer.
There are seven or eight other off,
cials who are drawing from So to s15
per day besides salaries ranging from
$1,000 to So, 600 per year.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, April LIN an
interview Friday concerning the Beh.
ring sea scandal at Washington, ex
President Harrison said that he knew
nothing of the:affair. He ventured the
opinion, however, that upon investiga
ton the matter would be found salts
factory to the government. He said
"Gen. Foster was employed by Mr.
Blaine at what pay do not know. AL
know is that Gen. Foster has done 6
noble work. About the other charges
I have nothing to say as / am ignorant
| of the facts"