The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-04-28
STAR ROUTE swINDLEs.
Pay on NInsty-three Star Routes Raised Over
Two Million Dollars.

Pay on Ninety -three Star Routes Raised Over
Two Million Dollars, .
WARRINGTON April 22-The evidence upon
which Second Assistant Postmaster General
Brady was removed was substantially the same
as presented to the Appropriation Com mittee Of
the last House. That committee was convinced
Of the existence Of criminal extravaganza, If not
absolute fraud, In Bradys office, and 1t recon-.
mended not only the abolition OF discretion CIV
en- him by law, but advised that the greater part
Of the two millions deficiency incurred by the
Department be saved by cutting Offall allowances
for expedition or schedules aud increase Of trips
In excess Of so per cent. Of the original contract
price. After long struggle the champions Of
the ring were victorious. Out Of 225 Star Routes
the total pay on ninety.three Of those routes was
raised between 1878 and January l, 1880, from
S727 1l9 to 50 SO2 2l4. The regular appropriation
for the Star Route service, June 80, 1880, was
IS 100000, and Of this sum for the entire service
81, 1902 204 was absorbed by nlnety.three routes.
A sample Of the character OF these incres ,eS
will illustrate the manner in which the ring
prohted. John A Walsh received a contract for
carrying mail between Prescott and Santa Fe AGO
miles, for SlS,500, tri'weekly service. He was
shortly afterwards given S11S,475 additional com.
pensation for an increase Of trips aud an expedi.
tion of the schedule, making the total pay $685.,
75, Heretofore contractors and their friends
have had access to the reports OF special agents
This privilege was as readily can be imagined, of
great value to contractors. General James has
put stop TO that practice,
Sixth Auditor McGrew, 1t is authoTatively an.
nOunced will be removed. The Postmaster. GEN
ta,t 1ra,, AZ
that gentleman being subordinate Of the Secre.
tary Of the Treasury Mr.. McGraW has charge Of
all settl ments for the pay Of contractors. Some
time In 1877 or 1878 local newspape contained
an account Of fraudulent practices on the part Of
one John e. 0'Brlen, clerk In the division Of the
Sixth Auditors office, who, was said, by raising
drafts paid large sums OF money to certain mail
contractors In excess Of their dues, One man
named Fisher, who 10 well known contractor, is
said to have been paid $4,000 In excess Of his
duties and mother named McCutchen also re
ceived large sum Of money fraudulentlV. The
matter was hushed up, and the bene1ciaries Of
the crime c0mpEOmist d, No prosecutions were
instituted, and 0'Brien was dismissed. 1t is said
the Postmaster General will investigate this case
The Attorney. General has been consulted regard
ing the frauds In the Department, and II sufficient
evidence be obtained, actions for conspiracy to
defrRud the Government will be begun The
District Attorney OF this district will be assisted
BY two officers OF the Department Of Justice for
the reason that that attorney has heretofore
shown reluctance In laying PostotHoe cases before
the grand jury.
Recorder George Sheridan, who has a contract
for furnishing the Department with mail bag tie
tags, is accused by New York newspaper day
with having secured his contract Improperly.
Mr.. Sheridan to-day visited the Postmaster. Gen.
eral and demanded an investigation. Mr.. Jsmes
e0urteOuhly acceded 10 his request. Mr.. Van
WOrmer and Special Agent Parker have been de-
tailed to make the investigation.