Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21
ALLEGATIONS UNDER OATH
Investigation rdered by Treasury
Department.
THE EVIDENCE NOT DISCLOSED
Acceptance From Subordinate of and
Unlawful Use Of Government
Property Alleged.

AAouSo the treasury Department
against Capt. William NJ. Meredith, direc-
TOT or the bureau of engraving and print
Ing, and Joseph Sudsburger. foreman of
the stables of that department The
charges are made and sworn to by Virgil
n. ranks, a former employee of the stables,
out who was recently transferred to the
machinist branch of the bureau.
One set of the allegations Is addressed To
PRESIDENT Roosevelt as "the exponent of the
square DEAL" and represents that Mr..
farks is "a Spanish-American war veteran
having performed foreign service and been
disabled by reason OF disease contracted
"hiie performing his duties as a soldier He
says ne was discharged from the army for
DISABILITY with two honorable discharges to
ms credit-one from Troop A. 10th United
States Cavalry, with character excel
lent and another from Company G, 18th
very good"
Parks, In his communication to the Pres
ident, refers to his clear military record
and says: Having made several unsuc-
cessful attempts for justice. and believing
that 1t is only obtainable through YOU I
hereby make this apeal''
Against the Stable Foreman.
After referring to his appointment to the
bureau in the fall of 1904 as an unskiled
laborer at $40 per month, and being trans
ferred to the stables, he said: Everything
went we'll until failed to agree with my
foreman, Joseph Sudsburger, or approve of
numerous injustices toward the United
states government, which swore to defend
When l was appointed He then charged
the foreman with making acquisitions for
government property for his own personal
use
He also charges 1.-The violation of section
1884, Revised Statutes, civil service rules, by
~ fty,y n In oh; toe Sc
Is Capt. William Meredith buggy for his
personal use, and keeping the same in the
government stable at the expense of the
government, and allowing men overtime
work in order that the same buggy should
be attended to at the expense of the gov
eminent.
Because refused to cover up the letter
ing of the bureau of engraving and printing
on the sides Of the carriages when they
were to be employed for private use on hol-
days, Sundays and for private social finc-
lions; fer refusing to show Willingness to
go to certain carriage makers and get di-
lapidated carriages. and bring them to the
bureau stable. and spend government time
In cleaning and putting them in shape for
the director to use for his personal pur-
poses, drawn by government horses at the
expense of the government.
My refusal to make false statements to
the director in behalf of the foreman when
he would prefer charges against other men
In the stable. 1t may plainly be seen how I
have been oppressed by my superiors.
Alleged Attack With Pitchfork.
"An incident occurred during the sum
mer. while my foreman was In the city do
Ing his daily marketing. 1 was ordered over
the telephone by the director to perform a
certain task. which 1 did to the best of my
ability. Upon the return of the foreman 1
was given to understand that it was not
satisfactory to the foreman and 1 received
a good genuine cursing a his hands and
was ordered to perform the task over, which
L did.
Later in the day I reported to the
director that had been cursed and wrong
fully abused by my foreman while acting
according to his 0he directors) orders l
was given to understand that whatever the
foreman did was satisfactory to him no
matter what it was, and that If L could not
get along with the foreman 1 would be dis
missed.
ION January ), 1906, the same foreman of
the stable, Joseph Sudsburger administered
a similar cursing to me, which l requested
him not to do. Upon this request the fore
man took a pitchfork. a very deadly
weapon. and made at me- making oaths
The stable doors being all closed and no
way to escape, there was nothing for me
to do but either stand chances of death or
defend myself. The latter 1 did by SELLING
a piece of wood, and thus probably saving
my life, having sufficient eyewitness to
prove the same to be true as stated
4 further state that I was reported to
the director who refused to hear the eye
witnesses, and at the same time recon-
mended my dismissal"
In conclusion Parks submits list of wit
nesses and makes plea for justice
Declines to Talk
When Capt. Meredith was seen yesterday
by Star reporter he said he was aware
that Parks had made charges against him
and also against the stable foreman.
1.-THE matter is now in the hands of Mr..
Lyman, the appointment officer of the
Treasury Department, and I do not care to
discuss It," he added.
Mr.. Charles Lyman. chief of the appoint
ment division OF the Treasury Department
was also seen by the reporter. He had on
the desk in front of him a pile of type
written manuscript, which he said was the
testimony he had taken in Investigating the
charges made by Parks. He said the in
vestigation had not been concluded. When
it shall be ended the evidence he had taken
will be submitted to the Secretary of the
Treasury for his action. In the meantime
Mr. Lyman would not make any statement
relative to the charges of the data he
had obtained