The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-05-24
MORE CUBAN FRAUDS.
POSTMASTER THOMPSON, At HAv-
ANA, SOW SUSPENDED.


Havana, (By Cable). Tho extent OF the
postal frauds Is far greater than originally
! suspected. Besides taking in the Postal De-
| partment, the frauds seem to include the
local office ut Havana aud various other
offices throughout the island and also to
have extended to outside points which have
been used for the sale OF some OF the old
issue OF stamps that were ordered destroyed.
The result OF the investigation Mt the local
postofiice is the suspension OF Postmaster
Thompson. who was installed in April oflast
year. He will remain at his own house for
the present. Moya and Mascara, stamp
sellers in the main office, have also been ar
rested and further arrests are expected. AS
many as six others have been placed under
the closest surveillance, and they will be ar
rested as soon rs their services can be spared.
As a matter OF fact, II they were all to be
suddenly relieved OF duty 1t 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 Mt their own rooms in charge Of de-
teetves. Special quarters will. however, be
prepared in some fortress, where NIL the
prisoners will be taken as soon as arrested.
Mondays arrests and the suspension Of
Mr.. Thompson did not take place until after
dark. There is a perceptible excitement at
the postofilce, where no one knows who may
be the next to be singled out. q.
L. G.. Rathbone desires II said that therei
no truth in the report circulated In the Uni
ted States that there is 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. lie also says he
does not consider 1t proper in the present
circumstances to give out interviews for
publication and has so answered all applica-
tions for personal statements that have been
cabled him from the United States.
Mr.. Sheridan Will temporarily I'll Mr.
Thompson's place. Itappears that the frauds
ramilled In almost every possible direction
even the rented boxes have been made u
source Of illegitimate gain.
Every additional revelation increases the
amazement of the Americans here The
| Cubans seem to be immensely pleased.
| They declare that the Americans can no
| longer boast in Cubn of their superior hon
| esty when in government employ.
General Wood devotes several hours daily
| to postal affairs. hearing the reports of
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 Neely is prepared to
m ka uOod fnr lao 20 ha nj
OF the bond as soon as evidence is produced
showing its liability. Burt A. Miller. man
nger Of the department Of Cuba for the
Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland,
| had tnlk with Postmaster General Smith
In regard to this subject. Later he said:
"We will make no attempt to evade pay
ment II 1t Is sh own that Neely is defaulter.
His bond was only $4,000. Neely gave no
collateral security whatever other than n
personal one, as we accepted as our protec-
| tion the fact that the President had enough
confidence in him to give him this RESPONSE
BILE position.
"Our company also supplied the bond for
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 Indlanapo-
lis, where he stood high in general estima-
tion. He served for 25 years in the Indian
apolis postofilce and was postmaster under
the Harrison administration.
| He was assistant postmaster for some
years prior to the Cleveland administration,
which retained him in the postoffce in "A
subordinate capacity. He served in the
Civil War in General Harrlson's command
He was appointed postmaster at Havana six
months ago.