Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-22
THE STAR ROUTE STEAL.

sIAhT1ls6 DEVELOPMENTS rRoNIsRD-A rowgs-
fuL BISe-REsUIrs or RECENT fSvEeneA-
TONS.
Twash. Special n. Y. herald
The first inkling the public had that sus-
picion rested upon Mr.. Brady by this adminis-
tration was the step taken by Postmaster Gen
erA James In making q bulletin OF the star
routes TO be let and putting them In q consp,c-
uous place In the department. At nrst the
name or MT. Brady was appended but suoee-
luehtly the name OF the Postmaster General
step that Mr.. Brady did not enjoy the cofN
uSnSe ,I VI LIS superiors. anG, taking the hint
sal. sa.o ne was & ready TO tender his resignation.
Out would Ike very much 20 remain In the
ONCE The President did not intimafe even
that his resignation was desired ana ~ No
Brady continued TO discharge his oficisi duties
conscious that so long as the dead lock confin =
ueo his successor, II nominated would have 10
wait for confirmation before relieving him on
the ofrice
Woodward, said TO be one OF the shrewoest ana
most vigilant officers In the service OF the Pose
ONCE department., had been delving into the
worknss IS o. Of tne star route system While othe,
the nature or the duties assigned them, were
employed IN sending TO Washington confldeu-
tial reports OF what was being done along Ger
tain routes, what service was performed an
the amount OF business carried over the route
selected for special examination. Mr.. Wood
ward, IL viii be remembered, uprooced IN
II.
master General. and In carrying out his instruc
tons was fully aware OF the importance OF Ia
task assigned him.
A few days ago the accumulated eyiaence
together with the report OF the special agent
were submitted TO the President on last Tues
day afternoon. after the department cloeed. the
President sent for POSTMASTER General James
Secretary Window and Attorney General Mac
Neagh. These three Cabinet orficers went as
once TO the Executive Mansion, and hardly had
the door closed behind them when it was asoer-
fntv flanf sfa<t 1.x.f .hn
sistant Postmaster Generals ONCE was under
consideration, and important events would
come TO light In few days. This fact is men
TONED to show that with all the secrecy OBJ
served the suspicious OF the prominent actop
In the star.route business had st last been
aroused. The presence or the Secretary or
the Treasury puzzled the watchers, but upon
renecuon lt was easily explained, for charges
against the Second Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral could not be sustained without rejecting
upon the sixth Auditor OF the Treasury through
whose hands all the accounts or the postal ssH
vice must pass. The contemplated removal on
Assistant Attorney General Freeman, the law
offcer OF the Post ONCE department would also
excuse the attendance OF the Attorney General
This conference OF three Cabinet officers with
the President two hours after regular Capi-
net meeting was known 10 be important and
the demand made yesterday for the resigna-
tion OF Thomas j. Brady, the Second Assistant
Postm aster General and the resignation OF Ae-
sstant Attorney General Freeman was but the
first result OF that conference.
Naturally al sorts OF stories have been circu-
lated to-day as TO the intention of the President.
but hey ond the statement that the reckless waste
OF government funds upon star route contracts
made Mr.. Braoy wholly unworthy or the trust
reposed In him. and the announcement that
his resignation was asked, and not voluntary
lis about as much as the President thinks it
proper TO announce at present But in a few
days the demands for the designations OF other
prominent officials at the Post once depart.
ment Will explain sufficiently that the te5ti-
mony before the President warrants immediate
IN
lars have been recklessly squandered II not
with guilty knowledge on the part OF the re
sponsible officials.
It is not premature. however, 70 say that the
scandal that II is now known will be brought 20
light Will be OF national character. IL win
involve ex-meInbers OF Congress In aiding and
abetting wilful waste OF government funds,
and system or favoritism for sections ana
among contractors that will exceed Rll that hae
hitherto been denounced as extravagant In
ventlons. Quarrels among contractors and sub
ses who have knowledge OF the methods by
which IL has cost the government $500 70 trans
init single letter less than one hundred and
flfty miles, viii form an Interesting chapter tn
the story.
Washington Special n. Y. Tribune
A ring OF powerful contractors held posses
sion OF the most profitable star routes-those
covering long distances In the western terrific
ries, and kept out all rivals by the system OF
straw bids SO often exposed and virtually flxed
their own compensation by the friendly aid OF
the contract office. The ring had Its agents in
washington. one OF them, when somewhat In
liquor, boasted not long ago that he had re-
celved $4,000 for persuading General Brady to
important government office
The material which has been collected by the
special agents OF the Post once department
under the instructions OF Postmaster General
James Is being prepared in the form OF evt
dence TO be used In court II thought advisable.
and In that form is sent TO the Attorney Gen.
eral. Special agents are now engaged In mRk-
routes in the west and as rapidly as possible
they Will be sent over other routes or less I'm
portance. one principal reason for the SUM-
mary action In regard TO General Brady was
the discovery that many sources or Information
which the special agents desired 20 make &C
cessible were closed through the fear OF Gen
eral Bradys power while he remained IN once.
Wash. Special y. Y. Times.I
The forced retirement or Gen. Brady from the
Post ONCE department has caused q paizrul
flutter among the star route group, and has
brought prominent members OF II TO Washing
ton Tor consultation. Ii has also created great
CONSERVATION In the Post once department
among those who are known 10 have been ben
are soat n ana n
TO impending dismissals- Among these
Is one to the effect that sixth Auditor
McGTew NC asHSn,,aI;d and Deputy Lnly are married
GERS of the Treasury department. and cannot
therefore, be directly reached by Postmaster
General James. 1t is believed that the fraud
ulent practices In connection with star routes
could not have been successfully carried cut
without the knowledg and connfvRnce or the
sixth auditors Office, and it is likely, there
fore, that the Secretary or the Treasury will
direct an investigation or that offlce for the
purpose or ascertalning the truth or fslsity or
the unpleasant rumors that are freely circa-
lated fn connection with this branch OF the
postal business. No further changes were
made In the Post once department to-day, but
as soon as the evidence now being collected