New-York tribune., 1880-01-15
THE STAR POSTAL SERVICE.


ASSISTANT POsTMAsTER-GENTRAL BRADY BEFORE
THE HOUSE C0MMITTEE-NO DEFICIENCY YET
CREATED-wHY AN INCREASED APPROPRIATION
is REQUIRED.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-The special COM
mittee OF the House Committee on Appropriations
charged with the investigation of the Star Route
service OF the Post Office Department gave hearing
to-day 10 General Brady Second Assistant Postmaster
General.
Mr.. Brady said that the numerous letters he had
received from Congressman and others had Influenced
him In building up The Star service he believed Con-
gress would sustain him. The Legislature of Nevada
had Just passed resolution protesting against any re-
duction in the service.
Inquiry was directed the Star between Santa
Fe New-Mexico, and Prescott, Arizona, distance OF
AGO miles General Brady rather closely questioned
upon the subject OF the contract with Walsh under
which the compensation for increased service had been
raised from 81 900 TO $l35,975 per annum ex
ceedng by $63OO0 the amount paid to McDonoueh,
the previous contractor the route for ident
cally the same service.
The explanation given that McDonough failed to
pronery perform bis contracts and that as Walsh Of
fered TO take up McDonougs contract at less figure
than the bidder when 1t was originally awarded be
was given the contract. He made extra trips and re-
duction OF running time from hundred and hhty to
ninety hours. and extra compensation had been given
him. General Brady said that he had given Walsh an
order for 81 00O when Walsh indebted TO the Gov
ernmept about an equal amount on another contract
hut that the auditor had control OF that matter and he
was not supposed know how the account stood.
In reply to further questions General Brady stated
that he did not offer the contract to any else be-
sides Walsh and to him at his own figures upon
his simple sworn statement 1t was discretionary with
the Department what should be paid for such service
General Brady stated that all increase In the ser
Vice has been under his personal supervision and IN
strict compliance with law. IIc asserts that no &c
acency In the appropriation for Star service actually
existed nor would any be created. Additional service
had been put during the present fiscal year. ana II
this must be continued upon its present basis the APP
nropriaton made for that branch OF the service would
be insufficient 1t the desire OF the Department. be
1ded I'm its action by the which should be taken
by Congress. This increase had been made he
cause II had seemed TO be imperativey de-
manded by the requirements OF the service
The total appropriation for this branch or the service
for the present fiscal year S5.000,0O0. OF this
amount 49, 900 had been expended in the first half
OF the year ANY deficiency that could occur was pros
pective and based upon IA Is ,e t hs NJ
81 700 900 would be created Therefore the Department
| had recommended AN additional Appropriation OF
60 600 600 10 continue the service on It's present
| basis and for new service that should be put on
an proporton TO amount OF such service than at anv
other perod 1861. That portion OF the country
wing West of the Mississippi River supplied almost
exclusively by the star service, and 1t had been the
policy the department to keep pace with e increased
business and rapid development that sec1O
and 10 render such mail facilities as wOulu ald lls a
yancement FIT were not deemed wise on the part OF
Congress 10 increase the appropriations asked ior tle
Department would OF necessity curtal the mdll 1acll
ies so as to bring the within the cost Of the orig
| inal appropriation. -, ..,
In reply to questions by members Of the committee,
General Brady stated that OF the 81 ncrease N
tbe cost Of the star service for the 1900
Of the 900 new routes established by Act OF Congress
during the present and the balance OF Sl266O
for increas service upon the routes previously csap,
lshed The service IL being run upon the basis OF
! an appropriation OF $7,50O,000 per annum, and
II continued at the present rate. the amount OF
| the appropriation for the present fiscal year
for this branch Of the service will be entirely expended
! Inv the 10Th of April. If the Government III cases
where Increased service is demanded should advertise
for proposals and award to third party the contracts
the original contract OF the party who had in good faith
accented and was good faith prepared 10 carry 10
ant and in almost every would to his pecu-
| mary loss. . a., ,.,