Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-07-28
TO ARREST RATHBONE.
The Result Of General Bris.
tow's Report.
CHARGED WITH GROSS FRAUD

Late Director of Posts In Cubn Drew,
IL liz said, Much Money to which
lie Was Not Enutied-EStent al
NeeIy's REGULATIONS sI3I.ooo.
Washington. july 2G.-Estes c. Rath-
bone, formerly director of posts in the
island of Cuba, who has been practically
under arrest ever since he was removed
from office will be formally arrested AZ
a result OF Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow's report duplicating him
IN the postal frauds in Havana,
Postmaster General Smith has given
ont a summary Of the report. This sum
mary gives substantially what has been
heretofore published regarding the pecu-
lations OF G. Il. W, Nicely as chief of the
bureau OF finance, but II makes out a
worse case against Director Rathhone
than his friends had expected.
Heretofore no one connected with the
postotlice department would take the
responsibility Of saying that Mr. Rath.
bone had been guilty of anything more
than earelessness ia supervising the ad.
ministration of the department Of posts
and of extravaganza In his personal exs
penses, which were charged to the Cuban
postal revenues.
Mr.. Bristow's report alleges not only
carelessness and extravaganza, but fraud
as WELL charging that Rathhone had
warrants for $1,000 drawn IN his favor,
that he had them cashcd aud that he
failed TO account for the money.
The total direct embezzlements are
rather smaller than had been supposed
at the time that Nicely was arrested. MIR.
Bristow foots them up as amounting 70
Sl3l. 1880. This total would be con
siderahly increased il II could be aseer.
.ained exactly how much money has been
expended in unnecessary expenses OF
charged up Us Expenses" ami pocketed,
POSTMASTER General Smith said last
night that il was for the war department
and the military government in Cuba &C
act IN the case Of Mr.. Rathbone thnt tho
postoilice department had no authority
over him or other officials in Cuba. He
intimated that if Mr.. Rathhone was in
the United States he Would be arrested.
Statement Regarding Rathbone.
Concerning Kathbone. Mr.. Bristow
says.
Estes G.. Rathbone went TO Cuba on
salary of $1,000, which at his request
was Immediately increased by an allow
anee Of 50 per day for his expenses. On
his complaint that his allowance was
still insufficient, his salary was increased
to $4,000 His per diem was cut off, but
in addition he was provided with a resi-
dence at the governments expense. The
records Of the department show that
he continued TO draw the IS per diem
contrary to orders. - ~as---.~ s'-'se41
1T appears, therefore, that Director
General Rathbone drew from Aug.
1899 to April 80 1900. the sum Of 81 .36J
us a per diem, WHICH was Unauthorized,
and that the drawing of the same was
fraudulent and | therefore recommend
that he be required to reimburse the
postal revenues Of Cuba In that amount. I"
In the bills rendered for furniture pur.
chased and paid for from the postal rev
enues were some for gloves, a trunk, dog
collar, overcoat, hats, boots. shirts, col.
lars and cuffs for coachman and foot.
man.
4sathbone made numerous official trips
as director general of posts, one In April,
1899, as a tour Of inspection around the
island. Rathbone's expenses and the en-.
tire expenses of his family were paid
from the postal revenues. He also made
a trip to the United States in April and
May, 1899, accompanied by his secre
tary. The report shows that he had no
official business in the United States out
side Of the city of Washington, though
he charged as official expenditures his
expenses to Cincinnati and Hamilton, o.,
where he went to attend to private bust
ness.
Another trip was made TO the United
States In October and November, 1899.
He was absent from Cuba about a
month. His expenses on this trip were
Ss2G.77. one item Of S23615 being for
his personal hotel expenses for eight
days while in New York awaiting the
sailing Of the steamer for Havana.
On June 30. 1899, Rathbone drew a
warrant in his own favor for $500 for
which no accounting had ever been made.
Another warrant drawn earlier that year
for $500 was eashed in Washington and
never accounted.
Other irregularities Of Rathbone are
pointed out after which the report finds
that his expenditures were much in ex-
cess Of his salary.