The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-26
ACCEPTED MONEY FROM
J. j. RYAN TURF CONCERN
Warrant Has Been Issued for His Ar
rest and Was Served Late Last
Nleht-ResuIt of Long
Investigation.


eral PAYNE today summarily dismissed
Daniel Miller, assistant attorney In the
office of the assistant attorney general
for the postoffce department. for accept
ing bribe in connection with the case of
John J. Ryan & Co., charged with fraud
ulent use OF the mails. A warrant has
been issued for Millers arrest.
Another warrant has been issued for the
arrest of q man who is charged with be-
ing the partner or a go-between in the
transaction. A postoffce inspector has
gone west from Cincinnati to effect the
arrest, which is expected to occur tonight
or tomorrow. The bribe is alleged to have
been accepted at Cincinnati last Decem-
ber.
Miller came here from Terre Haute,
Ind, about two years ago. He was ap-
pointed by former Assistant Attorney
General James N. Tyner. The charge
against Miller has been under investiga-
tion for three months. The Ryan compa-
ny was turf investment concern which
operated at st. Louis and Covington, KY
Its methods and working operations are
said to be similar to those of the Arnold
company, which has figured conspicuously
In the postoffce investigation.
inspectors Worked Quietly.
The inspectors have been quietly at
work on the case and this action was de-
clared so that they might get together all
papers and evidence for which the opinion
was necessary. Postofflee Inspector-in-
Chief w. f. Wickery at Cincinnati. and
Postoffce Inspector r. M. Fulton at ST.
Louis, recently were given full charge of
the case. Complaint was made by Inspec-
tor Fulton before a United States commits
sioner IN Cincinnati Saturday, and then a
warrant was issued for Miller and the
other man.
Inspector Fulton Immediately came to
Washington, while another inspector
went west to make the other arrest. In
spector Fulton today exhibited the pa
pers in the case to United States District
Attorney Beach, Tonight Miller is in the
custody of a postoffce inspector, and his
formal arrest will follow tomorrow morn
ing. Miller was at his desk all day to-
day. He was called into the office of AS
sistant Attorney Robb shortly after 8
o'clock this afternoon and notified of
his immediate dismissal and of the steps
that had been taken. He was allowed to
draw his salary and then return to the
private office of the assistant attorney
general, where inspectors were in wait
ing.
Ryan Was the Beneficiary.
The Ryan company was the beneficiary
under a decision of the assistant attorney
general of the postoffice department,
made several months ago, subsequent to
the decision in the Arnold case, and
couched in practically the same terms as
that decision.
Those decisions declared the concerns
named to be free TO use the mails. The
Arnold decision. it is stated, was signed
by Assistant Attorney General Tyner, and
the Ryan decision by George A. Chris
tiancy, the law clerk of the department
who was then acting assistant attorney
general on account of Mr.. Tyner's pro-
tracted Illness. Mr.. Christiancy was called
on summons from the department and
was closely examined regarding the case.
1t is stated that the amount offered Mil
Ter as a brbe aggregated several thou
sand dollars, and was in the form of a
cash payment, followed by a check. This
payment is alleged to have taken place
In Cincinnati, so the case will be tried
there; probably in the October term of
court. Mr.. Miller probably will give ball
for his appearance at the time.
A Penitentiary ohense.
The penalty for the offense is pre-
scribed in section 5501 of the Revised
Statutes, which says that every officer
of the United States and every person
acting for or on behalf of the United
States in any official capacity, under or
BY virtue of authority of any department,
or officer of the government, who asks,
accepts or receives any money or any
contract, promise, undertaking, obliga-
ton. gratuity or security for the pay
ment of money,or for the delivery or con-
veyance of anything of value with intent
to have his decision action on any
question. matter, cause or proceeding
which may at any time be pending or
which may be by law brought before him
In his official capacity or in his place of
trust or profit Influenced thereby, shall
be punished by fine not more than
three times the amount asked and accept
ed and by Imprisonment not more than
three years.
Postmaster General Payne wrote the
announcement of this latest DEVELOPMENT
in the investigation this afternoon In a
formal brief statement of the facts as al
ready given
Payne Makes Statement.
Mr. Payne said that mere statement
of the facts was all that could be said
at this time In view of the fact that the
case Is now before the judicial authori-
ties He said that the case had been un-
der consideration ever since the general
investigation began, and added that
there would be another arrest imme6@-
ately The party, he said, is outside of
the department He declined to say
what explanatory statement had been
made by Miller.
T. w. Gilmer the former expert OF the
office of the comptroller Of the treasury, |
whose examination of the accounts Of the
Washington postoffce. and whose |
subsequent transfer to another bureau Of
the treasury were referred to In Comp |
troller Tracewell's report to the postmas- |
ter general regarding the Tulloch charges, |
refuses to talk about the subject
Comptroller Tracewell alleged that Mr.. |
Gimer himself, at his own suggestion. |
wrote the letter which Mr.. Tracewell sign