The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-17
Are Made Against Government
Purchasing Agent.
COMMISSIONS on SUPPLIES
Said to Have Been Paid Him by
Contractors.
Government Is Not Alleged to
Have Sustained Loss.

Washington. Dec 17-Charges Of ir-
regularities in dealings between John
Burke. commissary manager for the
Panama canal work and contractors
who have been furnishing supplies, are
being investigated by the government.
So far an the Investigation has gone no
loss to the government has been dis
covered and the amount Of money In
volved has not been determined.
Broadly. the department Il investigax-
ing to determine whether he has re-
ceived commissions from contractors.
$50 Tar as the investigation has
gone 1t appears that there has been
NO loss to the government" said Ma
jor F. c. Boggs, the general purchas-
Ing officer Of the Panama canal com.
mission. today. Mr.. Boggs IL con-
ferring with legal omcers Of the var
regarding the next step to be taken.
Burke il somewhere in the United
States ON a sixty days leave Of abb
sence from his post ON the Isthmub,
and is still on the government pay
roll. At the canal commissions ofices
it was said that as the investigation
into the charges against Burke Ii still
in progress, to disclose the govern
ment's purposes at this stage might
defeat Its objects. 1t is admitted Of
hcially, however, that for the last six
months the inquiry has been in prog
ress based on charges preferred by
Charles r. Walker. a former subordi-
nate Of Burke's in the commiasary
department alleging that his superior
large commission from persons with
whom he had placed large contracts
for food and other supplies for the
canal workers.
Also it was alleged that Burke had
awarded contracts to the Colon import
and export company. in which he was
stockholder. and that he had proflted
at least $4,000 from his operations. His
salary was $4,5O0 q year.
Several important CONTRACTS were
placed in Europe. Burke's work an
commissafy was done entirely from the
isthmus and 1t was explained at the
war department. that his operations
were not directed from the canal come
mission offices here, nor in connection
with the quartermaster's department Of
the army.
totalled somewhere between $4,000
600 and 100000 during the period
covered by the Investigation
The one fact on which all the Off
Gals agreed today was that IL anyone
had lost money by the operations Of
MT. Burke. the government Was not
the loser. With the compIetion OF
the Investigation the law officers Of
the war department win determine
what action. II any, the goyernmenf
may take.
Don't Know Where Burke In.
New York. Dec. 17.-Omcers Of the
Panama Railway company said today
that they knew only by hearsay of the
charges against John Burke.
Mr.. Burke's accounts were an.
proved by Col. Eugene L. Wilson.
head OF the subsistence department Of
the Isthmian canal commission. aid
Sylvester Deming. treasurer Of the
road. In due course of routine W.
received these accounts here for aud
iting, but had no other relations with
Mr. Burke. I do not think, however.
that his expenditures have been a.
much as $6.000,O0O.
Burke IL about Is years old and was
formerly resident Of Indianapolfs.
The railroad officials do not know
where he Is spending his vacation.