Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-04
RATHBONE AND NEELEY
DOUBT Of THEIR COMPLETELY IN
POSTAL FRAUDS DISSIPATED.
Complete Case Of the Government
Covered in the Report of
Auditor Lawshe.

Whatever doubts may have existed con-
eerning the completely of Director General
OF Posts Rathbone with Neeley in the Gu
ban postal frauds are dissipated, 1t is said.
by the report of Deputy Auditor Lawshe.
When Deputy Auditor Lawshe was sent
to Cuba to check up the postal accounts he
sailed with Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow, who went under orders
from the Postmaster General to take charge
OF the investigation. Arriving at Havana
Lawshe, because of his financial training,
was given charge of the finances, and 1t
was due to his efforts, it is said, that the
scheme of the postal thieves was laid bare.
1t was he, it appears, who first impli-
Gated Rathbore, and confirming his suspi-
oions with evidence brought the matter to
the attention of the Postmaster General,
Who promptly dismissed the director of
posts.
Some Damaging Facts.
Prosecuting his inquiry, after General
Bristow left the island, Mr.. Lawshe un-
covered many damaging facts which he fol-
lowed up until he has worked up case
for the government which, it is said, cam
not fail.
While the report cannot be made public
for the reason that it would give the gov
ernments case away enough is known 20
warrant the belief that the government has
a strong case against the accused and is
positive of convicting them.
One feature of the report shows that
nearly 100000 of Rathbone's accounts
have been dsallowed. 1t is conceded that
suitable vouchers may be produced which
will materially reduce this amount. A di-
rect connection, it is said, has been discov-
cred between the KeylesS Lock Company
of Indianapolis and Neeley Rathbone and
Reeves. The accusation is that this trio
purchased many more goods than We're
actually needed at exorbitant prices and
received a ''rake-off' later on. A direct
connection has also been traced by Mr..
Lawshe between Rathbone and the de-
stroyed stamp feature of the case. How
many thousands of stamps were really de-
stroyed will perhaps never be known, al
though the government has evidence that
many thousand dollars worth were divided
which were never even brought to the place
Of destruction
The report of Auditor Lawshe makes a
mammoth volume, containing many exhib-
it's, all of which confirm the body of the
report, the whole making up the govern
ments case against the accused. To give
the defense possession of this evidence
would, 1t is argued by the government,
probably defeat the ends of Justice
Going to the Philippines.
Mr.. Lawshe's report has long since been
made. In the meantime, in recognition Of
his valuable services, the President has pro-
NOTED him to be the auditor for the Phil
ppines. Mr.. Lawshe, however, has not as
yet sailed. 1t Is expected he will depart
about the 18th of January, unless his SER
vices are required in connection with the
case. 1t is hardly expected, however, that
he will be called, as his report covers
every feature of the case as far as he
knows. Ano,l4er fact which would lessen
the necessity Of his presence is that the
report is in the form of a deposition. He
simply made the investigation and submits
his sworn report with the proofs.