Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-19

The coming investigation in the patent o6in
still continues to furnish An interesting topis
for talk around the Interior Department 4
number OF stories about ex-Commissionsr
Simonds' conduct during his incumbency sn
coming to the surface which viii undoubtedly
be thoroughly investigated.
1t is reported that Mr.. Simonds, when cou-
missioner. presented bis chief clerk. Mr.. Ben
nett, with seventy-fve volumes Of electrical
reports published b. the Office and comprising
all the data up to date upon patents bearing o.
electricity. 1t is reported that Mr. BennsH
in turn presented them to Mr.. simonds' patent
firm in New YORK city.
Mr. BENNETT CLAIMS ELS ACTS WERE LEGAL
When asked at his home today by Q STAB 70
porter as to the truth of this statement ID.
Bennett replied that he had nothing to say fur.
ther than that all of his actions were legal and
can be vindicated before the board Of inquiry
THE cLEKks INDIGNANT.
A great deal Of indignation WAS expressed
among the clerks in the patent ONCE today
over the statement published in . morning
paper to the effect that Mr.. simonds' friend
say that Miss Nellie f. Shedd. who has acted q
typewriter and stenographer 10 the commis-
sioners OF patents for tweiye wears, gave the in
formation TO Messrs. Church d Church. the
inference in the statement being that Miss Shedd
acted out OF a spirit of pique toward some of tn
chiefs IN the ONCE, and thinking that il would
make her chances of retaining her pressns
position stronger by making the charges
against her late superior, and please the
present commissioner"
Patent office officials do not credit thu
charge against Miss Shedd, and today stated
their disbelief in il.
MISS sHEDD's DENIAL
hon hu -
The STAR today, made the statement that, IN
answer to the charges Mr.. simonds' friends are
said to be making against her, she wished 70
deny absolutely that she had in any
way, directly or indirectly, communicate
with Messrs. Church Il Church relative 70
tins or any oIhe- matter; that she wss
herself entirely ignorant OF the matters sst
Church until such charges were
hied in the patent Office. and shs
referred to the Messrs. Church Church
for confederation OF her statements. Further,
as to her calling the attention OF the presenS
commissioner. Mr.. Seymour. TO any acts
OF his predecessor, Ar. simonds, either
as TO these charges or to any other
matters which arose under his administration.
such rumors were utterly untrue and that gem
teman would undoubtedly corroborate her
statement. Miss Shedd added that she could
scarcely Imagine any surer way Of bringing her.
self into clstavor with her chief than To pursus
such course. As to the charges Of
the so-ca.led friends OF Mr.. Simonds. she said
that 1t would seeIa TO be OF more importance
tor suca frienos to disproye the charges than
to direct their INQUIRY to the unimporsaut
channel through which the Messrs. Church
derived their information.
The Messrs. Church were seen later, and N
answer to inquiries stated that thew had ueyee
held any communication with Miss Shedd upoa
the subject of their allegations against Mr.,
simoaas, nor had they ever received from h~,
directly or indirectly, any information beariuG
upon tne subject
FREEMAN AND FOSTER DECLINE TO TALK
Messrs- Freeman and Poster declined to Ia
today shout the charges brought against thsE
firm They are preparing. they cav, to dr.
prove them. ana wall keep silent until the euo
comes TO talk before the board Of ipouiry,