New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-09
PROSECUTIONS ORDERED.
War Department Acts on Schuythlu
arsenal Scandal.

washington Sept. S.-The criminal prosecu-
zion of Morris Busch contractor, and Robert
Charlton inspector was ordered to-day by GEN
cral Oliver the acting Secretary of war Ihls
action is contained in direction TO Judge Az
,-ocate General Davis to prepare the necessary
10 ne-s for this prosecution and submit them TO
the Department of Justice. Busch holds con-
tract with the quartermasters department OF
the army TO furnish fur caps and saunuets 10
be delivered ct the Schuyll1in Arsenal Phlla-
delphia. The order for prosecution is based on
report recently made by Major E. S. Strong OF
the artillery corps. acting inspector general III
which If is charged that a conspiracy to defraud
tho government exists between Busch and
Charlton.
General Oliver also directs that Busch shall
be compelled to complete his contract with the
government under penalty of a civil SUIT ior
damages He also stipuates that II any III
ferior articles are furnished the government by
Edwin H Taggart under his contract OF octo'
Der s, 1902. he shall be required to replace the
inferior goods under penalty of civil suit ioi
the recovery of the money paid.
The report of Major Strong regarding conoi-
lions at the SchuyIkiu Arsenal has led to
suggestion from the inspector generals depart
rent which has been made an order by Actlng
Secretary Oliver for immediate investigation
of the important depots containing army sup
plies These are at NewYork Boston Fhlla-
dephia, Jeffersonville, Ind, San Francisco
Seattle and other places.
General Oliver to-day issued the following
statement giving conclusions on the report OF
Major Strong:
War Department, Washington, Sept T..
The report Of Major E. s. Strong, artillery
CORDS acting inspector general, upon the al
legged irregularities in the filling OF contracts at
the schuylkin Arsenal. Philadelphia, is hereby
It is ordered that Inspector Robert Charlton
and Examiner F. I. Quinlan be directed TO
show cause, in writing, why they should not ne
at once dismissed for incompetency in permit
ting the receipt of articles inferior to the con-
tract standard.
The Judge advocate general will prepare the
necessary papers to submit to the Department
of Justice for the purpose of inauguratlng GRIM
inal proceedings against Morris Busch. con-
tractor and Robert Charlton, inspector. for con-
spiracy to defraud the United States govern
n1ent-
A careful inspection shall be Immediately
made by an expert of all articles heretofore de-
Hvered the contract awarded to Morris
Busch, or others, and demand mace 10 re-
place ali such may be inferior 10 the COLI
tract samples. $50
Morris Busch shall be compelled to complete
in a satisfactory manner all contracts which ne
now NAV hold with the government. and failure
to do so shall constitute grounds Tor civil sun
for damages.
furnished by Edwin H Taggart, contractor
under his contract of october :, l9t2 ne shall
be required replace said inferior goods. failure
on his part to do SO TO be followed by clNh sui
for the recovery Of money PAID
In the future the commanding officers at all
depots where supplies are furnished under con
tract shall be required to select personally the
representative monthly samples furnished TO the
quartermaster general; and at al! such oepots'
and the Schuylkil Arsenal in particular, COM
rnssoned officer shall personally and continually
supervise the inspection of all articles tenoerea
under contract with view 10 their acceptance
evaiIing himself of the knowledge of the chief
inspector an expert
Hereafter all irregularities of any nature
whatever not reported upon by the officer IN
charge of said depots shall be held TO consul
tute basis for charges against Such onlcer Tor
neglect of duty and a general lack OF enlclehcy,
and in the advertisement for bids for contracts
for any government supplies each bidder shall
furnish the name and place of business OF the
manufacturer manufacturers who VIII FUR
nish the goods If upon careful examination on
the part of the officers of the quarterrnaster 5
department they shall report adversely as 10
the facilities and general standing OF sald manu-
facturer or manufacturers. such report shall be
considered sufficient to reject the bid OF SUCH
party. -
Ali bidders who may have heretofore failed
unjustifiably to fill contracts with the govern
,nent shall not be considered. and q careful
animation shall be made with view to ascer-
tanning the legitimate market value of articles
of standard quality. and any abnormally low
bids must be carefully scrutinized with view
TO excluding incompetent and unsatisfactory
contractors from furnishing government sup
plies. ROBERT SHAW OLIVER
Acting Secretary of Wa.
hands of Judge Advocate General Davis, who
Is preparing the evidence from it for the GRIM
tnal prosecutions contemplated This work will
reo,re a day or two, at which time the case viii
be turned over to the Department of Justice for
action.
Cuartermaster General Humphrey to-day ad-
dressed a letter 10 Chief Inspector Charlton and
Inspector Quinlan. asking them, in compliance
with Section L. of the Civil Service regulations,
whether there is any reason why they should
not be dismissed from the government service
In view Of the charges that have been made
against them. Although criminal proceedings are
In progress against the chief inspector, THIS no
tee is required by the Civil Service regulations
before the inspectors can be removed firm office.
The inspectors have three days to reply 10 the
charges.
iladelphfa, Sept. S.-Morris Busch the con-
tractor against whom a criminal prosecution is
ordered by the War Department, is Common
Councilman of this city Charlton, who is also
recommended for prosecution, is an employe OF
the schuylkil Arsenal. Major Strong came mere
from, washington early in August for the pur-
,>ose or making an investigation of certain con-
,rects at the Schuylkill Arsenal. The investlga-
,,on lasted a week. 1t testified by Fred
.r,ck ISanholz, a partner of Busch, that Charles
IT Slsading formerly chief Inspector at the ar
.sn., and Robert Charlton, head of the present
sorce of fur inspectors, had agreed to pass IN
-ferior goods made by Busch. charges tnaI
money had passed between Busch ana CndrlloN
we've made by Kalnholz Charles A. Bowman
former secretary to Congressman Burke or THIS
city testified that Busch offered him $500 to get
+;,y, ing