The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-03
FEA7HERED THEIR NESTS.
How Two 7hevmg War Department off,
cia/s Under Cleveland We're Caught
by Lamont

How Two 7hievmg War Department Off,
Gals Under Cleveland Were Caught
BY Lamont.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 2-During
the last few months of Cleveland's ad-
ministration Joseph B. Doe, Assistant
Secretary of War, held a sinecure, and
people are just beginning to find out the
reason.
He was deprived of all authority, not
allowed to issue any orders or sign any
but routine mail, and did not perform any
other function OF his office. He was not
even permitted to issue acquisitions. La
mont assumed all the labor and RESPONSE
bility that had formerly been done by the
assistant except such as could be in
trusted to his chief clerk.
The extraordinary circum stances were
known by the employees, but the reasons
were not understood. There was also
considerable comment concerning the I'M
usual act of President Mckinley in accept
ing Does resignation before the selection
of his successor.
1t is customary for assistant secretaries
to hold over until new members of the
cabinet have familiarized themselves
with the duties of their Offices and in all
departments except the war and navy
some of the Cleveland officials are still re-
tanned. But Does resignation was &C.
copied at once. This was due to hint
from Lamont.
AS early as he was able to find time Sec
rotary Alger began an investigation of the
official conduct of Doe, but soon discov-
cred that Lamont had anticipated him,
and the only result OF his inquiries was
the dismissal of Richard ]. Whitton, who
was brought to Washington by Doe and
served as his private secretary for two
years.
Wilton was then transferred to the
supply division, and As soon as he had
familiarIzed himself with the duties of
the Office he was promoted to be chief of
the division IN place OF Captain Thorpe,
an old soldier who had held Office for
quarter OF century. There were no
charges against Thorpe and no complaint
OF his official conduct.
He was simply forced out by Doe to
make a place for Whitton with the ul-
terror object soon to be disclosed. Whit
tons duties were to buy the supplies OF
the department and disburse the appro-
priations. except the payroll.
Shortly after he came in Wilton en-
deavored to secure the dismissal of David
Cranmer, another old soldier, who had
been storekeeper for the department for
many years, and had the custody of the
supplies; but the conspiracy was de.
feated by Colonel Ainsworth, chief of the
war records division.
About g year ago Doe began to issue
orders to the division of supply and other
branches of the department that caused
considerable gossip among the clerks and
to make acquisitions for articles for per-
sonal use which had not before been pur.
chased from the public funds.
He continued to do so during the fire.
quent absence of Lamont until after the
election in Novem Der, when that sort of
business became so active as to attract
general attention, and within few weeks
this gossi reached the ears Of the head of
the department.
Lamont at once called before him the
clerks in the supply division, the store
keeper and other officials. and secured
statements which caused him to require
Doe and Wilton to make restitution TO
the amount of nearly $1,000 in cash and to
surrender to the department a consider
able amount al property which in La
mont's opinion belonged to the Govern
ment.
1t was disclosed. for example, that in
the absence of the Secretary OF War Doe
had ordered two bicycles, one for himself
and one for Wilton, which were returned
to the d. partment and are now stored in
the basement.
The official photographer OF the depart
ment testified that he had made two sets
of prints, about 1000 in number, from
| negatives purchased by Congress some
years ago from Brady, the cele-
| brated war photographer, and George K.
Jenny, in charge OF the department
| bindery. testified that he had mounted
these prints and bound them in hand
some Russia leather albums at the ex-
| pense Of the Governmet. A. K. Johnson,
the department carpenter. testified that
he had been employed several weeks
under orders of Doe in making packing
! for furniture and other articles which
were shipped .'Geadhead" to GAINESVILLE,
| Wis, Does home.
| Lamont himself accidentally discovered
one day in the carpenters room large
chest, sealed and addressed to Doe. When
| opened by his orders it was found to con-
tain a large quantity of fine stationery
sufficient to last Doe the rest OF his life.
which had been packed by the storekeeper
on Whitton's requisition.