Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-05-12
CUBAN POSTAL FRAUDS.
Department of Posts Admits a
Shortage Of $75, 900. -....
SUDDEN DECLINE IN RECEIPTS.

II IL Explained ON the Superstition
That $411,oOO worth of stamp. Or
dered Destroyed Were Kent An Cir
culatIon.
Havana, May 9.-The postal frauds
have been the principal topic OF con-
versation In Havana today, although
as yet the papers have scarcely al
luded to the matter. The department
OF posts admits shortage. of S75, 900,
but further investigation has brought
to light the fact that in July last year
the receipts showed a falling off of
about $4,000 from the average of the
months previous and that this short
age has been kept up ever since. 1t
appears that, about that time, Director
OF Posts Rathbone gave orders for the
destruction Of S411 900 worth OF sur
charge stamps, on account of the Issue
or new stamp. This work Of de-
struction was left in the hands of
Charles F. w. Neeley and his assist
ants, but 1t is now believed that none
of those stamps were, destroyed, the
theory being that they We're sent out
with the new stamps.
The Havana receipts amounted to
about $4,000 a month, according to
the books, but the other offices of the
island showed only $4,000 or $4,000,
amounts palpably absurd. 1t is as
tonishing that the shortage was not
discovered before, because the receipts
at Santiago or MatanZaS alone should
amount to nearly $4,000. Absolute
proof that something has been going
wrong~is shown by the fact that Au-
ditor Barrie reports the receipts of the
islandfor the first five days of May as
aggregating $4,000. Should this aver
age be continued, 1t would mean a
total of more than $4,000 for the
month.
That others than Neeley are involved
Is implicitly believed, although the
evidence as yet is not sufficient to
justify their arrest. Nevertheless,
should certain persons attempt to leave
the island they would be taken into
custody. Medley has made investments
here and in other parts Of the island,
having as partner postal employee.
Carrydon Rich, who now holds the
power OF attorney for Medley, was on
Monday appointed to fill Neeley's place
as chief financial agent of the Havana
postoffice, but yesterday the appoint
ment was suspended.
The military authorities know little
regarding the matter beyond what Col.
burton, inspector general, reported,
Tor the department of posts has been
virtually Independent of the military
authorities and has reported directly
to the postmaster general. The in
spector general has merely made a
quarterly inspection. On his former
inspection tour he found a shortage of
more than $4,000, but such plausible
excuses were given that they thought
he was probably mistaken. When he
entered on his latest inspection his
suspicious were further aroused, and
he resolved to probe matters to the
bottom. This close scrutiny revealed
features of the case which have not yet
been made public. 1t seems that Nee
ley kept scarcely any accounts which
would bear showing, Mr.. Rich, his as
sistant, endorsing his accounts as cor
rect.
Governor General Wood has ordered
that all property standing in the name
Of Nicely in Cuba should be placed I'M
der government control.