The suburban citizen., 1900-05-19

Havana (By Cable).-The extent Of th,
postal frauds is far greater than original!
suspected. Besides taking in the Postal De
partment, the frauds seem to include th'
local Office at Havana and various othei
offices throughout the island and also q
have extended to Outside points which have
been used for the sale Of some Of the ole
issue Of stamps that were ordered destroyed
The result OF the investigation at the loca
postoffice is the suspension OF Postmaster
Thompson, who was installed In April OF las
year. Ho will remain at his own house iol
the present Moya and Mascara, stamE
sellers in the main office, have also been ar
rested and further arrests are expected. A.
many as six others have been placed under
the closest surveillance, and they will be ar
rested as soon as their services can be spared
As a matter Of fact, If they were all to be
suddenly relieved Of duty it would not be
possible to carry on the Postal Department
of Havana
Messrs. Reeves and Reynolds. the auditors
OF the Postal Department, are still under ar
rest at their own rooms In charge Of de-
tectives Special quarters will, however, ba
prepared in some fortress, where all the
Mondays arrests and the suspension OF
Mr.. Thompson did not take place until after
dark. There Is perceptble excitement at
the postofice, where no one knows who may
be the next to be singled out.
i. G. Rathbone desires it said that therei 1
40 truth IN the report circulated in the Uni
ted States thar there ia friction between the
military authorities here and the Postal De-
partment. On the contrary, the most com
plete harmony prevails between General
Wood and himself consultations taking
place between them daily He also says he
does not consider it proper in the present
circumstances to give out interviews fol
| publication and has so answered all applica'
tions for personal statements that have beer
cabled him from the United States.
Mr.. Sheridan will temporarily fll Mr..
Thompson's place. 1t appears that the frauds
ramified In almost every possible direction
even the rented boxes have been made 6
source OF illegltimate gain.
Every additional revelation increases the
amazement OF the Americans here. The
Cubans seem to be immensely pleased
They declare that the Americans can nc
| longer boast In Cuba Of their superior hon.
esty when in government employ.
General Wood devotes several hours daily
to postal affairs, hearing the reports ol
| special agents and comforting with Mr.
Rathbone and others having any knowledge
! Of the matter AS yet 1t Is impossible to say
! how many persons will be implicated.
New York, Especial. )-The Brooklyn Eagle
! publishes the following from Washington
Postmaster General Smith was informed
that the surety company that furnished
bonds for Treasurer Neey Is prepared to
make good for the shortage to the amount
OF the bond as soon as evidence is produced
showing It's liability, Burt A. Miller man
ager Of the department OF Cuba for the
Fidelity and Deposit Company OF Maryland
had Talk with Postmaster General Smith
in regard to this subject Later he said
"We will make no attempt to eYade pay
ment IL 1t is sh own that Neely Is a defaulter.
His bond was only $4,000 Neoly gave no
collateral security whatever other than a
personal one, as We accepted as our protec-
tlon the fact that the President had enough
confidence in him to give him this responsl.
BILE position.
"Our company also supplied the bond foi
Director Rathbone. This amounts to only
10000"
Washington, Especial. edward Thomp-
son, the suspended postmaster Of Havana,
is one OF the best known men In Indianapo.
lis, where he stood high in general estlma.
tion. He served for 25 years in the Indian.
apolis postofflce and was postmaster under
the Harrison administration.
He was assistant postmaster for some
years prior to the Cleveland administration,
which retained him in tho postofice In s
subordinate capacity. He served in the
Civil War in General Harrison's command
He was appointed postmaster at Havana sil
months ago.