Evening star., 1899-04-15
Studying a Scandal in the Patent
Office.
CHARGES AGAINST Two OFFICIALS
Examiner Hains and Mrs. Robinson
Make Statements.
DENIAL OF THE RUMORS

By direction of the commissioner Of pat
ents a committee, composed Of Assistant
Commissioner Greeley, Chief Clerk Shepard
and Examiner Maxson, is investigating the
conduct of Principal Examiner Robert P.
Hams and Mrs. Lizzie 8. Robinson, clerk
in the latter's office, against whom indirect
charges Of alleged misconduct have been
filed. The stories in a general way have
charged the two with remaining after office
hours in the room and behaving improperly.
Mr. Hams. 1t is alleged, had taken the key
to the room from the watchman whose
duty 1t was to turn 1t in, and had kept 1t
over night.
1t appears that stories Of this character
affecting the two have been circulated for
some time in the patent office They cul-
minated about ten days ago when the chief
clerk of the patent office called Examiner
Hams attention to them. The story is best
told in Examiner Hams own words. To a
reporter of The Star today he said:
About ten days ago the chief clerk came
into my room and asked IL ] would like to
have Mrs. Robinson transferred to another
division. 1 replied, Transfer any one you
wish; l can run this division by myself If
needs be- This was said in a joking man
ner, for I had idea Mr.. Shepard was
serious until he informed me. I asked for
further information. and he rehearsed the
rumors that he said had come to his ears
dIIeCtlnB the character OF MIS-.
and myself. l begged him to make clear
to me the charges, and he said there were
none, only rumors. Then 1 demanded that
the party circulating the vile SANDER file
charges in order that could defend myself.
He replied that no one was willing to do
this. In vain l demanded the name of his
informant, explaining that his refusal left
me at the mercy of gossip mongers. AS he
maintained his secrecy l went to the COM
missioner of patents and explained the
case as far as l knew about it and demand
ed an investigation 1 told him then the
story was base fabrica ation.
THE commissioner expressed himself as
not desirOus of taking up such a matter
and wanted me to let it drop. When l left
him went again to the chief clerk and de-
manded the name of his informant and he
refused to diyulge it unless the commits
sioner took some action. Knowing the en-
tire falsenesS of the story, l naturally look
ed around for some person who might have
an object in injuring the lady and myself.
In looking over the field l remembered to
have reported a laborer for not having
properly cleaned the ROOM These COM
plaints-there were several Of them-were
made to Superintendent Sheehan, who has
charge of the laborers and were all verbal.
Superintendent Sheehan recalls them, I
might add. Upon further investigation i
found that Mrs. Robinson, well other
clerks, had made similar complaints. Now,
when l recalled that the same man who
cleans up my room also attends to the chief
clerks room, l naturally inferred he might
nave Idue some statement, ana was
marily responsible for the vile rumors. l
called this man, well every laborer
and messenger, before me and questioned
them closely. 1 asked them if they had
ever seen anything that would cast re-
fection on either Mrs. Robinson myself,
or II they had any reason, directly in
directly, for believing there was anything
improper in our relations Every man an
swered in the negative Thinking perhaps
they would be more apt to talk when ques-
toned by the superintendent, l had him
talk with them, but every man reiterated
what he had told me and denied ever see
ing or suspecting anything improper in our
relations. This seemed conclusive that l
began to look around for some one else
with motive to injure Mrs. Robinson or
me. l have found the result of my in
vestfgation that there is party who might
have an object in injuring the lady. With
out any assistance from the chief clerk l
made another investigation and succeeded
in tracing the stories through two different
sources back to this party. No, l will not
give you his name now. That will come out
in due time, for I propose to bring him be-
fore the investigating committee. There
are some things desire to call your atten-
ton to, and ask that you investigate them
for yourself said Mr.. Hams. addressing
the reporter.