Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-30
CUBAN POSTAL SCANDALS.

tOW-natnDOn0 =" anus l,TOtectlous
The clerks in the Havana post Office, ac-
cording to a dispatch, whose salaries have
been reduced, say, almost without excep-
ton, that they will not continue in their po-
sitons, on the ground that no one cares to
remain In Cuba on salary no greater than
he would receive in the United States.
Acting Director General of Posts Bristow
yesterday reduced the expenses of the de-
partment $3.50 by discharging three SER
wants of Mr. Rathbone. whose wages had
been carried on the official list a coachman
at $500 a year. gardener at $500 and a
laborer at $40.
Shortly after the postal scandal was first
exposed Mr.. Rathbone, 1t is said, requested
Gen. Wood to give him a guard, as he
feared personal violence from Corrydon
Rich, the postal employee who confessed to
a knowledge of many of the fraudulent
transactions. Gen. Wood suggested to Mr..
Rathbone that If a guard We're always near
him people would take it for granted that
he was under arrest, and the request was
withdrawn.
Yesterday the reason for making 1t be-
came known. 1t seems that on the day
after C. W. F. Nicely was arrested Mr.. Rich
went to Mr.. Rathbone' and wanted to ex-
plain that the stealinsS We're heavy He
was refused hearing when the nature of
his communication was known. and then
he went 10 Sell. w UOu anu to.u HAiii an iiS
knew.
Mr. Rathbone denies that Mr.. Rich ever
said word to him on the subject. MI
Rich declares that when Nicely left he
tRich) by Mr.. Rathbone's orders. gave
Nicely an advance payment on his salary 10
the amount of about $500, accepting Nelly 5
receipt.
When the scandal was exposed. accord
ing to Mr.. Rich's statement, Mr.. Rathbone
told him it would be better to withdraw
the receipt Immediately and to replace the
cash. promising to see him reimbursed by
the disbursing officer. This. Mr.. Rich says,
bursting officer not to reimburse him. The
result is that in consequence of obeying
Mr.. Rathbone. he Is without funds, and he
can see no way OF obtaining redress.
Clerks in the post office say 1t was well
known there at the time that Mr.. Rathbone
had asked Gen. Wood for protection. as
Mr.. Rich had threatened him physically.
Gen. Wood does not deny that Mr.. Ratll-
bone made the reported request.
To Attach Neely's Property.
United States District Attorney Wshard
on behalf of the government, yesterday in
Indianapolis brought suit against Charles
W. F. Nicely to attach all the property be-
longing to the latter that may be found IN
the state The suit was brought under or
ders from Attorney General Griggs. 1t is
the intention of the government to levy
upon the Nicely Printing Company's plant
at Muncie.
The Postmaster General has received in
formation to the effect that the post office
INSPECTORS have discovered that 1,IW
stamped envelopes We're sent by G. w. +.
Nicely to Mr.. Rowan, his business partner
at Muncie, Indiana. The value OF these
supplies which post Office officials say
should have been used in the Cuban postal
service, is about $50.
Reports as to Neely's Accounts.
report has been prepared in answer to
resolution of inquiry passed by the House
of Representatives asking whether the
Postmaster General received reports from
Director General Rathbone stating that an
examination Of Neely's accounts had been
made on April %, and whether it was a fact
such examinations. The reply will state
that such reports. Indicating that Neely's
accounts We're correct, were received, and
that they Were of date of April 23. 1t IS
believed that the Postmaster General will
state that these reports We're prepared by
Special Agents Neal and Seybolt, and that
the statement that the accounts We're cor
rect was made in good faith.
The Postmaster General today went to
Philadelphia. where he will remain a short
time and then proceed to Albany, n. Y.
He will return to Washington Friday after
noon. All dispatches relating to Cuban af-
fairs will be held here until his return I'M
less Of a character requiring immediate ac-
ton, in which case they will be forwarded.
1t is not probable that any facts in regard
to the postal investigation will be made
public here during his absence.