The Washington times., 1905-09-21
BOGYD'S TH|Ev|NG
MAY HIT OTHERS
Thorough Investigation Or
dered.
HANDLED OVER $10,OOO,OOO
Banks May Fight Attempt to Recover.
Not Thought Government Will
Lose Much.
HANDLED OVER s10,0OO,oOo

A thorough investigat ton of the affairs
of the Public Health and Marine Hos
pital Service has been ordered by the
Secretary of the Treasury as a result
of the defalcations OF James w. Boyd.
IL is now believed that Boyd's opera
lions covered period of five years
instead of two years, as he confessed to
Chief Wflkie. of the Secret Service. and
that the amount procured by him
through the falsifcation of vouchers
will reach at least $4,000
The investigation ordered by Secretary
Shaw Will go back to 1900 the fiscal
year. and ii is thought likely that one
or more OF Boyds' superiors will lose
their positions in consequence.
1t was learned today that an exarri-
Lation of the affairs of the service has
been going on for some time under the
direction of Assistant Secretary Taylor
and that several changes in the method
of handling the affairs of the Marine
Hospital Service are contemplated.
Possible Betterment.
officials of the Treasury appear to feel
that there might be a better system of
checks and balances to guard against
the loss of money through the dishon-
esty of clerks.
w. P Worcester, under whom Boyd
worked directly. is one of those men
toned as being in danger of dismissal.
He is bonded official. and as such
may have to make up some of Boyd's
shortage. The rest. Treasury officials
say. VIII be recovered from banks 1t
is thought that the Government will. in
the end, lose very little as the result
of Boyd's transgrcssions.
n vr Afc11r
ments of the Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service have averaged $2 OUO 900
per annum. The vouchers and checks
for every cent of this money have passed
through the hands of James w. BOYD,
who. until his peremptory dismissal
yesterday by the Secretary of the
Treasury. occupied the position of bill
and claim clerk.
Gradually Bclder.
There are certain things which point
TO the supposition that Boyd started his
scheme several years ago on a minor
scale and gradually grew bold until he
Tecured thousands of dollars at one
stroke In five years checks for $40, 600 COZ
have passed through his hands.
1t can easily be seen why the officials
Of the Treasury Department are uneasy.
The investigation which they are MAX
ing Is thorough and careful one. All
Of the vouchers which passed through
Boyd's hands are being closely scrutin-
ized to see IL they bear any evidence of
erasure
will not suffer any loss by reason Of
Boydss misconduct, IL is believed that
some trouble wtll be experienced in MAX
ing the banks stand good fer the forged
checks which they passed through the
subtrea sur.
Refunding Law.
All the checks which Boyd is alleged
TO have csshed at different banks went
through national banks. Under the law
II is claimed that national banks must
refund all amounts secured on forged
checks which they send into the Treas
ury for cancellation.
The question which necessarily arises
is whether the banks will make good
this money without fight in the courts.
The statement is also made that Dis
bursting Agent Worcester. who Is a
bonded officer, can be held TO account
for the shortage OF the bill and claim
clerk
ficials nor Surgeon General Wyman
would make any statement about this
phase Of the case today
II Mr. Worcester IS held responsible
for the losses. his case will doubtless be
s-eated as that of other financial agents
of the Government when they lose
money through no fault OF theirs. Con
Gress generally takes action in the
shape OF q relief bill. appropriating
enough 10 cover she shortage.
The arrest OF James w Boyd on the
charge of embezzlement Of Government
funds will no doubt result in triangu-
lar legal figh; with the United States.
Castelbergs National Jewelry Company.
and G. Baker. 10 whom he made a bili
OF sale of the property at his apart
ments in the bennington fats. as the
aon;ending parties.
Bought Jewely.
The Castelberg National Jewelry Com
pany. by their counsel. Wolf & Ro-
senbe-g. today fled suit in the District
Supreme Court against Bovd to recover
vS2 g claimed as balance due for
goods purchased by him within the past
fifteen months
The plaintiff alleges IN the declaration
that Boyd has assigned. conveyed. dis
posed OF. or is about 10 assign, convey.
dispose OF. or secrete. his Droperty wiz
intent TO delay. hinder. OF defraud his
creditors.
According 10 the bill OF particulars
filed by the Castelberg National Jew
eIry Company. Boyd. between April "A.
1904. aud June l3 last. bought of the
hrrn sl.0i5.a5 worth of tewelry consisting
for seoo-a diamond ring for $500. scarf
pln AT $3.50. ring at S75. pigskin
cover for silver chest. for 1875, and
various other articles OF jewelry
AS a result OF the filing OF this suit
attachments have been Issued against
the property mentioned and also against
the accounts OF credits in favor OF
Boyd in the hands OF several persons
The Government In connection with
Its civil suit against Boyd to recover
5000. also caused attachments TO be
issued against this property and other
property claimed by him.