The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-05-17
POSTMASTER
And Clerks of Havana POstOilice
Arrested.

HAVANA. MAY 16.-Warrants we're is
sued this evening for the arrest OF E.
p. Thompson, the Havana postmaster,
w. II. Reeves deputy auditor of the is
land, and Edward Moya and Jorge Mas
caro-, Cuban clerks in the stamp depart
ment, and by o'clock all were lodged in
the Vivac, the tombs Of Havana. This
was done under the advice Of the postal
inspectors who arrived today, 1t is con-
sidered now that Reeves is equally gull
ty with Neely.
Investigation as to the record Of the
clerk in the military department whoI
handled several hundred dollars worth OIL
stamps proves that the transaction, sol
far as he is concerned, was legitimate.
The stamps were purchased at the re-
quest of his brother, who is a stamp coll
iector in the United States for $500. They
were of the old issue and were obtained
from Neely.
The arrest of Thompson caused great
surprise in the city. IT is looked upon a.
the precursor Of many other arrests. Gen.
Wood felt as did the special inspectors
that 1t would be better 10 have the sus-
pected persons arrested and to give the
men opportunity to obtain bail than to
keep them indefinitely under close super
vision at time when the detectives are
badly needed for other work.
1t is asserted by lawyer that on Mr..
Thompsons own statement, he is liable
to arrest for embezzlement according to
the provisions of the postal law, which
are very explicit. Much sympathy is ex-
pressed for him, however, as it is felt that
nothing would ever have heard regarding
the action to which he has confessed had
not the present investigation, growing
out of the general postal frauds, brought
the matter to light. His friends are pos
tive that the money would have been re-
! paid. the memorandum receipts taken up
and the incident thus closed.
| AS the affair stands now, Mr. Thomp-
! sons career in the postal service must
necessarily cease, even if he escapes a
! term if imprisonment. Moreover, his ac-
ton in giving orders to postal clerks to
alter figures regarding stamps, at the re-
quest of Corrydon Rich, without notify
ing Mr. Rathbone makes things look
worse, even if he acted innocently in the
belief that everything was correct.
Four postal inspectors arrived this
morning, and after conferences with Gen.
Wood and Mr. Rathbone began work.
The local papers praise Gen. Wood for
the indefatigable manner in which he has
handled the investigation, La Lucha re-
ferring to his methods as ''most praise
worthy" El Cubano, on the other hand
says: "The whole matter will finally be
hushed up for the Americans will not en-
Joy the idea of a nexpose in the depart
ment about which they have Dragged the
most"
Later developments tend to show the
far reaching influence Of Neeley and ev-
cry man who is placed under arrest
brings to light additional facts. Each one
seems willing to tell all he knows re-
garding Neeley while endeavoring to ex-
onerate himself. The only person, how
ever, who will be excepted by the author
tiles, as a witness for the state is Cory
don Rich, who will not be placed in jai
but will be closely watched, as it Is felt
that his testimony is absolutely indis-
pensible.
AS the cases are for the civil courts, II
has been decided that 1t would be mis-
take to confine the arrested persons in a
military prison, either at Cabanas for
tress or elsewhere. Consequently wher
the men now under arrest who are tenn
porarily detained at their homes, are
placed in jail, they will be sent to the
Carcel. Probably this will occur tomor
row.