Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-15
FIND FEDERAL FUR SCANDAL.
Government Uneart91s Scheme In
volvina $4,000.

Philadelphia, Pa, Aug. lo.-lne au-
missions of one of the United States In
spectors that he had been offered
brides, and a sensational grilling of a
contractor formed a leading feature
last night of the Investigation at the
Schuylkill arsenal into what the gov
eminent believes is q big swfndle In
flrs that may amount to more than
$15O.O0O.
Evidence was given to show that for.
several years a contractor for 1ur
gloves and caps needed by soldiers at
| western posts have been in a combin-
alton aimed at the practical destruc-
ton of competitive bidding and IN
huencing of inspectors to pass OIL
worthless goods upon the soldiers.
Trouble In the ranks of the combine
ton gave the government a clew to
begin the Investigation. One contract
or testified that he was low bidder
upon the contract for caps with a bid OF
$1.65. Afterwards, when the suspic-
ions of the government became arous-
ed and the bids were readvertised, the
same contractor finally did the work
for SLIP, although the bid was made
in the name of another man.
Norris Busch was the contractor
who was kept under fire of questions
for three hours last night by Major
Frederick S. Strong, detailed from
Washington to conduct the investiga-
ton While strongly declaring that he
never bribed an inspector. and that he
had tried to do good work, the con-
tractor admitted that he could not ex-
plain how some fur gloves and caps
bearing his mark could ever have pass
ed the inspectors.
The contractor admitted the few
samples shown him were simply a
travesty upon gloves and caps. Final
ly he declared that one of the experts
who had declared that 80 per cent Of
| his goods We're not up to standard was
a personal enemy, that another expert
who had aided the government was
none too friendly, and that If the ex-
perts said that. he had used fall musk
rat skins instead of spring or winter
| skis they must be conspiring against
him.
Fur Coats to Inspectors Wife.
Mr.. Busch admitted that he had pro-
vided fur coats for the wife of one
government inspector and for other
| members of the inspectors family.
When asked if he had not been in the
habit OF meeting Inspector Robert
Charlton, who has charge of the fur
department, at saloon and treating,
the contractor suddenly changed from
low tone, in which he gave most OF
his evidence, and cried in the most ag-
| grieved tone:
What? Me treat?"
Pressed regarding the cost of the
material used in filing government
contracts. Busch declared that no
books are kept by his firm which con-
sists of his brother in law, his BROTH
err and himself
"We have no record of our pur-
| chases,' he added, because we all
trust each other
Inspector Admits Bride.
The chief witnesses heard yesterday
were Inspector Charlton, Contractor
Taggart, Contractor Busch, and Henry
T. Amlung. The inspector testified that
| he had been offered $4,000 bride by Il
former contractor, Theodore Siefert.
| and that he had refused, saying:
This is my bread and butter"
The inspector said that this occurred
| year before last. The hearings go on
| today.
Big shakeup in Sight. n
| Washington, Aug. 15.-There has
been a big shakeup among the revenue
agents of the internal revenue service,
but just how far it has gone is mat
ter of speculation. 1t is stated, how
ever that four we'll known revenue
agents have been asked for their resig-
| nations, AT least two of the four have
come here for personal conference
with Commissioner Yerkes of the in
ternal revenue bureau. They are Capt.
Charles H. Ingram, in charge of New
England work at Boston and c. III.
Burg, in Texas.
Commission Yerkes would not dis
cuss the matter. He had been watch
| ing the work of the revenue agents,
who are really the secret Investigate
| ing officials of the revenue bureau, and
has concluded that some of them have
not been doing their duty.