Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-26
TWO UNDER ARREST
Daniel V, Miller Summarily
Dismissed.
CONSPIRACY CHARGED
JOSEPH W. JOHNS ARRESTED IN
CINCINNATI.
Proceedings Against Both Result OF
Investigation Into Case OF a
Get-Rich- Quick Concern.

Mr.. Miller who was arrested last night,
called at the Post Office Department this
morning to say goodbye to his Office asso-
ciates. He would make no statement other
than to say that he was innocent of any
wrongdoing, although he might have made
a mistake He expressed the belief that
all would yet come out all right. Mr.
Miller is we'll liked by those with whom he
has been associated. Mr. Robb, In charge
of the attorney generals office, said this
morning that Mr.. Miller was careful.
painstaking and efficient man. He had
good habits and was likable fellow.
A history of the case of Ryan & Co.,
which involves the arrest of Miller and
Johns of Rockville, Ind, who was appre-
hended last night, SO far as it can be stated
by officials without weakening the case of
the government in the prosecution is as
follows:
On December 10, 1902, letter was ad-
dressed to Ryan & Co. of st. Eouis. con-
tanning the decision of the department IN
the case which had been pending against
them and wherein they had been summoned
to show cause why fraud order snoul3
not be issued against them for unlaWIui
use of the mails This letter, which al
lowed the firm the use of the mails in the
continuation Of it's business, which Is now
generally known as "get-rich-quick turi
investment scheme" was prepared by MT.
Miller and signed by Mr.. Christiancy as the
acting head of the attorney general
Office This decision closely followed the
lines of the decision in what Is known as
the Arnold case being a similar scheme
which was signed by Judge Tyner Decem-
Der 4, and which allowed the Arnold COM
pany to continue its business along the
same lines.
What Led to Investigation.
When the investigation of postal affairs
was begun Postmaster General Payne
stated today that it resulted in complaints
being filed for every sort of reason from
Maine to California. He indicated that this
decision was the cause of one of these
complaints and inspectors of the depart
ment were put to work on the case IN
the meantime several indictments were
filed against the Ryan company IN the
state of Missouri.
with these suits before him Mr.. Ryan
made a statement to the inspectors which
has resulted in the arrest OF Miller ana
Johns. This statement was to the erect
that his company had engaged johns as
counsel in their case before the depart
ment; that he did not appear In the case
at any time, but that he was paid the sum
of $500. OF this sum IS. 400 was PAID IN
checks and 81 100 in cash. These checks
are in the possession Of the post office au-
thorities They were drawn by Ryan &
Co. and paid to Johns, bearing his sigma
ture on the back.
The next link in the chain is that Johns
is a personal friend of Miller, who knew OF
his connection with the case. and also that
he had done no work in connection there
with. Right at this point the department
refuses to 20 farther in the details of its
case except to state that 1t Is not neces-
sary for their purposes to show that Miller
ever received a dollar of the amount men
toned. He might have received other con-
,fI
of an obligation which Johns might have
held against him.
He might not have received anything. but
the fact that he knew of the connection OF
his friend with the case and the further
fact that he did no work on the case was
evidence enough to indicate to him that
there was something wrong. !
While there are several sections of the
law which might have been invoked against
Miller in the circumstances. the one of con-
spiracy was selected, because it makes the
evidence of one party involved available
for use as a declaration against the other.
Cincinnati was selected the place to
bring the proceedings because that was
neutral territory, and any influence which
might be felt If the case were tried in
Washington or st. Louis would be obviated.
The comment was made by officials of the
department this morning that while there
was no official record to show that Johns
was connected with the case, the proof was
absolute that he received the fee in Ques-
ton. 1t was evident 1t was stated that
from his actions in this matter he was in
capable Of earning a fee of that size by his
ability.
Ryan Confessed.
Department officials stated frankly to-
day that If it had not been for the con-
fession of Mr.. Ryan that they would have
failed to reach the successful prosecution
of the investigation of the case in ques-
ton. While the department can do moth
TO- 40
which have been brought in the state
courts of Missouri against the Ryan COM
pany, 1t was indicated that should a con-
viction be made the result of the in
formation given the department by Mr.
Ryan. that he would be immune from
prosecution SO far as the federal govern
ment was concerned. No guarantee to this
effect has been given him, however.
Daniel v. Miller Arrested.
Shortly after o'clock yesterday after
noon Postmaster General Payne summarily
dismissed Daniel v. Miller. assistant attor-
ney in the office of the assistant attorney
general for the Post Office Department, for
accepting a bribe in connection with the
case of John J. Ryan & Company
Later Miller was taken to the city hall
and placed under arrest by deputy mar
shall on warrant charging him with
conspiracy He waived examination and
was relased on 81 500 bonds for appearance
at court in Cincinnati next autumn.
A warrant on the same charge has been
issued for the arrest of Joseph M. Johns
a lawyer of Rockville, Parke county, In
diana. 1t was intended to have both ar
rests made at the same time.
Mr.. Payne's Statement.
In making the announcement of the un-
expected development in the post office
investigation. Mr.. Payne did so IN the fol-
lowing formal bulletin, which he read to
the newspaper men who had assembled for
the usual o'clock conference:
Daniel v. Miller. assistant attorney In
the Office of the assistant attorney general
for the Post Office Department. is charged
with accepting a bribe for decision in
connection with case before the depart
ment, involving the fraudulent use OF the
malls by John J. Ryan & Company. The
case has been in the hands of Inspectors
w. j. yickery of Cincipuati and r.. NJ
Fulton of st. Louis for some days. COM
plant. was made by Inspector Fulton he
fore a United States commissioner In Gin
cinnati Saturday and a warrant was issued
inspector Fulton arrived here yesterday
and this morning exhibited the papers to
District Attorney Beach,
Mr.. Payne said that this statement was