Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-28
ON A GRAVE CHARGE
Thomas n. Arlington Accused Of Embez-
cling Government Funds.
Investigation Shovvs Alleged Shortnge
of $3,0O2-The Accused Gives
Bais-De.sak of Charge.

Thos. M. Arlington, until: recently a
post Office INSPECTOR, WAS arrested this
morning the charge of embezZling near
ly 5000 of government funds. This after
noon he was taken before United States
Commissioners Mile, when he was released
on bail in the sum of 5000 to appear for
hearing next Friday, Robert Y. Slater
qualifying as his bondslnan.
The accused was appointed an inspector
in the Post Office Department June 24, 1855,
frcm North Carolina, and during the past
four years has been in charge of the Wash
ington division. Last Monday the Post
master General notified him in writing that
his services would be no longer required,
and he decided to practice law, engaging
an office in the Atlantic building.
There he was arrested today by Deputy
Marshal Cook, on a warrant issued by
Commissioner Mills, upon the oath of Post
Office Inspector VIM. B. Smith.
The warrant charges the embezzlement
of five separate sums-$2.115, $780, $50, $40
and $14O, respectiyely-but at the prelim;-
nary hearing before Commissioner Mills
this afternoon, when the amount of bail
was sought to be fixed Assistant District
Attorney Shillington acknowledged that a
great part of the alleged embezzled amount
had been paid in by the defendant
Claims of Connacl.
Mr.. Arrngton's counsel, Attorneys A A.
Lipscomb and Chas. H. Turner, explained
that instead of the government having lost
anything, a settlement of their clients ac-
counts will show balance due him of
nearly 500. Indeed, they quoted Inspector
Smith to the effect that settlement show
ed difference against Mr.. Arlington of but
$40, while there is due him as salary s1Sl.
The friends of the accused man say that
there is absolutely nothing In the charge.
and declare that the government will be
unable to make out case even strong
enough to warrant Mr.. Arlington being
held next Friday for any further hearing CT
proceedings. Mr.. Arrngtoni declined to
say anything more than that;he is entirely
innocent. and will be abundantly able to SO
demonstrate at the proper time.
Had l been guilty, l would hardly have
been fool enough to remain here. 1t. looks to
NE as if the whole matter is a political
scheme to get me out of. Office"
Result Of investigation
The errest of Mr. Arlington is the result
OF an investigation which has sbeen in
progress In the inspection division of the
Post Office Department for, nearly two
months Shortly after the ,beginning OF
the present ssdIninIstra ton, it is said the
Postna ster General, in hooking eve" the
accounts of the inspection division, ex-
pressed the opinion that they were not as
clear and satisfactory as. they should he.
The result Of this dissatisfactiolwith the
way of doing business I'm the various in
spection .diyisions was that Instructions
were given Geo. b. Hamlet to make a thor
ough investigation. After ;tlfis work Was
completed Mr.. Hamlet. was appointed an
spcctOrs III charge of the Waehing gton d.
vision, vice Mr.. Arlington, who was re-
moved. A thorough check Of the accounts
that had been kept under Mr.. Arringtons
supervision was then begun. and ii soon
IN fhn 9rsa lC ttno
in default several thousand dollars
The Records Loosely Kept.
The accounts were kept in what is re-
garded a very unbusiness-like way, and
this fact, eompiicating the work of check
ing them, made the investigation very
slow one. L. has now been completed, how
ever. and indicates shortage of over
$1,000.
The examination of the books shows that
the alleged emheZzlement has been in
progress for over one year, and the facs
that it was not discovered sooner is re-
garded as rejecting seriously upon the
management of the inspectors division.
The Postmaster General, fourth assist
ant and chief inspector now have under
consideration the ordering of a complete
CVerbauiing Of the whole system used in
the management of that division, so that
some method may be adopted which will
prevent repetition of the present expert
eLce. II is proDaDIe that this Will be done.
Mr. Arlington is quite popular at the Post
once Department. and much sympathy is
expressed for his family, which is now In
mourning for the death of a member of
Mr. Arrington's family, which took place
yesterday. - l51zi -.
Advices of the Shortage.
The first intimation Mr.. Arlington receiv-
ed that his accounts We're heing investi-
gated and that there was a, Shortage was
about two months ago. Thensthe. first item
OF his shortage was discovered, ami when
confronted with it he expressed no con-
cern about it, saying it was a case Of delay
in making the. return of the money, and
declaring his confidence that no other ir-
regularity would be discovered
1t is understood the money he is accused
of taking was cash which had been turned
over to him. The safe of an inspector al
ways contains mere or less cash which has
been taken from accused persons. and this
money is turned over to the government
or returned to the suspected man in case
he Is proven 10 be innocent. This is the
money which Mr.. Arlington failed to ac-
count for. ,e