“BLACK CORRUPTION”

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11660, 26 October 1923, Page 5

“BLACK CORRUPTION”

DISCLOSURE IN AMERICA BRIBERY, THEFT, AND IMMORALITY ALLEGED. REPATRIATION OFFICE. Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Associm on (Received October 25, 8.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 25. The Senate Committee which has been investigating the affairs of the Veterans’ Bureau, a Federal organisation, which has already spent more than four billion dollars for the purpose# of repatriation, vocational training, and hospital treatment of ex-ser-vicemen, has disclosed conditions of a most sensational character, promising to develop into the blackest episode of corruption in America since the war. Former officials of the bureau are charged with receiving a share of the profits of contracts to construct hospitals. In many cases architects received fees amounting to 60,000 dollars for plans that were never used. Dental appropriations totalling five million dollars for gold in dental work were fraudulently acquired by individuals who substituted brass for gold in the dental work. etc. Attempts were made to dispose of five million dollars’ worth of drugs and liquors, which should have been used for medicinal purposes. Personal dissipation, immoral conduct, and acceptance of bribes are charged on the part of important officials connected with the bureau, witnesses alleging many incidents of corruption, inefficiency, and heartless disregard of trust.