New-York tribune., 1901-06-13
THE GOVERNMENT ROBBED.
EXTENSIVE ARMY FRAUDS ALLEGED IN
SAN FRANCISCO.
SUPPLIES WORTH HUNDREDS OF THOU
SANDS OF DOLLARS SAID TO HAVE
BEEN STOLEN-ARRESTS MADE.

san Francisco. June 12-GeneraI Shafter and
Colonel Maus Inspector General of the Depart
ment Of California. and the Federal grand jury
are investigating the many reports OF fraud
committed in the commissary branch of the
army service in this city That the reports seem
20 he based on something more substantial than
idle rumor is shown by the disclosures follow
ing the arrest of Lewis Abrams and his sons.
dealers in second hand clothing. The extent OF
the allie god frauds has not been determined. and
there is diversity of opinion the subject.
Captain Seymour. of the local detective force.
who is assisting the Federal grand jury said
to-day:
rhe government las unquestiorahly been
robbed for long time past, and l believe the
amount Of the loss sustained by Uncle Sam
through the treachery and dishonesty Of some
Of his army officers and others Will reach into
the hundreds cf thousands Of dollars.
The Federal grand jury has the matter of
prosecution in its hands and the secret service
men are doing it's bidding the police merely
rendering assistance when such is found neces,
sary and is called for. l believe that arrests will
be made probably 10y the Federal officers. that
viii startIe the community.
General Shafter said the matter had not been
fully investigated, but admitted that thefts of
clothing have been going on. He said. however.
that there was no shortage in any department.
He continued:
have no personal knowledge Of this trouble.
but it does To amount to a great deal
Recruits, perhaps. or soldiers helhs nara uP,
have sold 10 these pedlers about the camps
shoes. blankets and other stores issued 10 the
forces by the quaTt"TmaSterS department. II
is a military offence for soldiers to sell the
stores and a crime under the statutes FOR the
pedlers to buy them, hut petty. illegal traffic
goes on am glad these fellows have been
caught If they are guilty, for an example is
needed 10 stop the traitc.
For months past various stores about the city
have been exhibiting signs Government Goods
for Sale Here" and advertisements have been
inserted in the daily newspapers. As late as
this morning the following advertisement ap-
peared
Wanted-One thousand men to wear govern
ment shoes; 81 a pair.
Colonel Maus and number Of local detectives
some DAYS ago began the investigation which
resulted in the arrest Of Abrams and his son.
George. for buying and selling government sup
plies. Their examination has been set for next
Tuesday afternoon. Their bail was fixed at
$1,000 Both Abrams and his deny the
charge but a second hand dealer Jacob Stew
eer says that Abrams sold him twenty pairs Of
army shoes.
Three big wagoaloads of goods have already
been taken the Hall of Justice, and in every
instance the men from whom they We're seized
have admitted buying the goods from Abrams
and his son.
From a statement made to-day 1t would ap
pear that the frauds were not confined 10 cloth
ing and shoes alone. 1t was said that upon an
investigation of the supplies furnished for the
army horses. 1t found that the "rake-of
some people secured amounted to 2onuDo
pounds Of grain The army officials are making
every effort to learn who profited by this ex-
Late this afternoon Captain Seymour said
that the Government officers had discovered
large quantities of goods stolen from the Gov
ernment. The goods were stored IN ware
house south of Market-st. and consisted OF all
kinds of military supplies. Captain seymour
would not give the address of the warehouse.