The evening times., 1900-09-14

The Quartermastor Generals Depart
nlent has prepared answers to the charges
made by John Orme Cole. former clerk,
which alleged ignorance of the Army Off
GERS of that department in keeping ac-
counts: that proper vouchers were not ex-
acted for accounts representing millions
of dollars. and that enormous frauds char
acterized the work OF buyins, renting, and
fitting up vessels fer transport duty. He
also alleged that money was shamefully
wasted and that transports were held idle
at great cost
in answering these allegations tn Quar-
termaster Generals Department says Mr.
Cole was appointed temporary clerk in
that Office July s. 1858, The answer
states:
Almost from the beginning his habits
were noticed TO be Objectionable.
His use Of intoxicants frequently united
him for any public work whatever From
July IS 1895 10 January Is. 1900. he was
on five separte occasions in three diner
ent ospitals-Providence Columbian
University. and Emergency. He was
treated fer alcoholism in at least Two OF
these hospitals"
February 20 last he was sent an official
letter in answer to one he wrote explain
ing that he had been i'll because CT the
use CT liquor and notified that his absence
would be charged up against his annual
leave. He was also threatened with dis
charge If he absented himself because or
the effects of intoxicating liquor Again,
il is alleged, he absented himself when
he received final warning.
The Quartermaster General says Cole
service in the water transport branch,
when in a condition TO perform work, was
not such as to commend him as capable
and painstakiug clerk, as it Is alleged that
in registering water transportation CLAIMS
he omitted page after page of important
matter necessary TO their proper registra-
ton and record. which, when discovered,
necsssitated his being at once relieved from
these duties II is further alleged that his
work was so unsatisfactory that the inter
ests of the service required that his serY-
ices should be dispensed with He was
made aware that his resignation would De
acceptable and if not presented he would
be discharged. Hence his claim, the Quar-
teTmaster General says. that he left the
office because ha could not COnScie1tiGusiy
continue in the service where such prac-
tees prevail is absolutely without founda-
ton in fact; the truth being that his
leaving the service was caused by his own
nisdoings and inattention to his public du-
ties
Senator Mason'S Letter.
Regarding the letter which Senator Ma
son wrote 10 Secretary Root. the depart
ment says all the charges CT a defective
system were investigated and found to be
to a large extent imag aginary upon the part
of Mr. Cole As TO the alleged losses sus-
tanned through boards of survey, the de-
partment says the boards are composed OF
disintereSted officers, who usually are ia
miliar with the witnesses and the facts and
should be qualified TO fix the responsibility.
II the amounts are extraordinarily large or
the circumstances unusual q second board
Is frequently appointed
Referring to alleged carelessness in
purchasing supplies for fitting up trans
ports mentioned by both Cole and na-
Tor Mason. the Quartermaster General
says For a short time during tie early
creative period of the transport service
it appears that the supplies fer victusl
ing the vessels were paid fCr Cn S-ryice
vouchers and expended, but this was
soon corrected, and the records Snow
that these supplies beth for the VI sseIs
and subsistence and stores purchased il
July, 1898. were paid for on pure hase
vouchers and accounted fer
This action is not only Gus omary in tbs
office but entirely proper
Referring to the assertion by AiT. Cole
that Mr. Randolph informed him in tbs
great emergency there were NAM thin
phatically denies that he ever made use
Of such an expression.
To the section of the letter of Senator
Mason stating that. Mr. Cole informed
him that at the outbreak Of the Span
ish war the custom cf comparing the re
ccipts with the invoices OF the property
transferred from one accountable Office
20 another was suspended, the Quarter
master General replies;
I desire 10 state that at no time has
the practice OF tracing rsspons.b lity for
public property transferred by Cne Off
Ger to another been suspended in his
Office but for short period, during the
rush of settling accounts Of volunteer
officers who were being mustered cut at
the end of the Spanish-American war
the examination, though little less for
mai was done with the most vgTant
and careful watchfuIness, so as TO in
sure the proper accountability of all
QuartermasteTs' property fer VIII cl tn Sc
officers were responsible. n
concluding this subject l desire 10 stale
that the system Of accountability fer all
quartermasters' supplies from purehas
to final disposition is absolutely ccm-