The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-28
Therefore 1t Was Easy for NeeIy to
Act I'm CoIIusion with Cuban POST
masters, If So Desired.
ARMY OFFICERS AGGRIEvED
ASSERT THEY ARE UNJUSTLY
CHARGED WITH ExTRAvAGANCE.
Expenses Much Higher i'm Cuba Than
When at HOme-COI. Burton to
Return to Havana at Once.

HAVANA May ga postal official who
has been in the island more than a year
says that when the Americans first came
there were no records and no furniture
even; that Spanish postmasters, the only
ones who knew anything about the serv-
ice, could not be employed because of the
cry "Cuba for Cubansr' and that conse-
quently the service had been built up
points out that Cuban postmasters were
found very difficult to teach. The loose
methods of former times have been carried
on at some points, even TO the present day.
One feature that enabled c. F. w. Neely
to divert funds in a fashion exceedingly
difficult to detect was the custom of many
postmasters TO pay cash for all stamps
taken from the department, while there
was no rule for keeping books Of account.
AS a result the inspectors had no way of
ascertaining how many stamps had been
sold. and the statement of Neely, II in
collusion with the postmaster, would tally
with the latter's statement. This official
believes that when all the books and papers
have been investigated the shortage will
not amount to more than 100000. 1t is
probable. however. that $4,000 more has
been taken, which cannot be traced His
estimate is consequently a mere surmise.
American officials here feel that they
have been unjustly treated by certain
newspapers in the United States which
have published the sweeping state
ment that they all live extravagantly.
Army officers point out that If they have
TO live in cities their expenses are much
greater than when at home. Moreover, very
few care TO risk the health of their fam
lilies by keeping them in Cuba during the
summer. Thus two establishments are nec-
essary. AS long as their duties compel
them to live in tropical climate they feel
other governments under similar condi-
tions, should pay additional stipends
So far as the officers of high rank are
concerned. II should be pointed out that
General Wood occupies only small portion
of the palace for residential purposes. the
rest of the building being utilized not only
for the divisional offices, but also for all
the municipal offices. number of en-
ployes have to be kept at General Wood s
expense-cleaners and helpers generally
and he says that If he did not have some
private resources to exc out his pay and
his allowances it would be next to impos-
sible for him to live in the palace at all.
Collector Bliss lives quietly in a single
room at the Hotel Telegrapho, going and
returning from his Office in hired vehicle
of the most ordinary description.
Major Ladd, chief quartermaster, lives
at FL vedado in house which he shares
with three other families
General Lee lives at headquarters at Que
mados, where do all his staff officers who
are unmarried. General Wilson. governor
of Matanzas-Santa Clara, lives in house
for which he pays a small rental
Colonel Whitside, at Santiago. lives In a
little wooden bungalow. formerly occupied
by General Wood and leased from Mrs.
Ramsden. wife Of the former British con-
sui.
General Humphrey Colonel Black, Major
Scott Captain Pitcher and many officers
live in buildings used by the government
either as offices or police barracks.
| General Wood, when asked to-day what
he thought of such charges, replied that he
| considered charges OF extravaganza in de-
| partments. except the postal. unfounded,
| adding that he believed no other depart
ment had anything to fear on that score
| and that all could endure the closest inves-
, tigation possible.