The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-04-29
THE STAR ROUTE" CONTRACTS

fore include nearly all those of Montana
The contracts for this service are, we believe
under the Immediate control of the Secon
Assistant Posimaster-Gcneral. Thomas
Brady, of Indiana, holds that position. |
Is alleged that in the contracts for this ser
vice the United States government has bee
| swindled out Of enorn gus sums OF none,
aud that Brady and the contractors hav
profted thereby. The original letting of til,
contracts Is advertised extensively in the re
gions where the service Is to be rendered AM
in the East. 1t is designed to be fair bus
mess transaction, In which the contract will
be given to the lowest responsible bidder
This design was frustrated for number o
years by what was known as the system o
"straw bids" whereby the contracts wer
secured by impecunous stool pigeons at ru
inously low rates and then forfeited, where
upon special service would be awarded tc
some ring contractor at compensation greatly
in excess of what regular service could have
been secured for from a reliable contractor
In the general letting. This finally became
so scandalous that an attempt was made tt
break 1t up by requiring forfeiture bond to
be deposited with each bid, and 1t was tc
some extent successful.
But the professional contractors were moi
to be so baked. It was not to their interest
10 allow intruders on their service systems
extending over large areas Of country aud
mainly profitable by vast networks Of postal
routes. Another plan was adopted. Star
routes on which there should be speedy SER
vice three or seven times a week were cut
to weekly or half daily service. in the con.
tract office, with slow schedules for transit
and 80 advertised for proposals. II looked
like rptrenchment of expenses was deter
some Of the lettings for Montana. 1t will
also be remembered that some of the con.
tracts were awarded at figures so low as to
create surprise that the mails could be car
ried for the sums al which contracts were
taken. But this was only the initiatory
step, Communities accustomed to more fire..
quent service and speedier time protested
against the discrimination made against
them. The result was, in many cases, the
restoration Of frequent service at an increas-
ed compensation, and greater celebrity al an.
another Increase of compensation. 'i"' This
was where the profit to the contractors came
in, Small contractors, having no influence
at Washington, could not secure these things
readlly;the compensation received was not
paying them, and as matter of course their
contracts were transferred to those who had
the Influence c.. D..' II ...st.. ...
- Now, if this increase of service and ceier-
ity were done on strict business principles by
the department; if the increase and speed
were demanded by the needs of the eomr,,i-
mites served and the contractors were paid
a fair compensation for service performed,
that part of the system would not be GEN.
sarable, and the only question to consider
would be II 1t was to foster monopoly to
thefexclusion Of the general public that the
contract Office in the first place reduced the
service so as 70 shut out competition. But
1t is charged that The compensation has, in
many instances, been grossly disproportionate
to the benefits obtained |; that there have
been enormous spoils, and that General Bra
dy and the contractors divided the profits
The IN after was up for Congressional investi-
CATION during the Hayes administration, and,
although for altime attracting public atten-
ton, finally disappeared under the white
wash bucket and was lost sight of until Post
master General James came in. -as"
p 1t is announced the evidence Is sure and
she exposure Is to be overwhelmingly dis
graceful and criminal. On the other hand,
General Brady Is defiant and says he is sus-
aimed in his actions by representations by
congressman and others speaking for the
where these contracts have been
increased or new routes established. Doubt
ess he has petitions from every such iocali-
y, and Montana will figure somewhat large
y In the exhibit. But General Brady Is not
10 particularly called on TO show why he in
;reased and accelerated service to growing
communities "a he IL to show that he only
,aid therefor what the service YVES worth
IN this point the issue turns. 50 far, Mon.
ana transactions have only been alluded TO
n general terms, as relates to General Brady
md Gllmer, Salisbury ~ Co., but doubtless
he forthcoming exhibit will show tho rates
II service paid here, and aIontanians will
rave an opportunity Of jcdging whether our
ervica has been had Ut reason able compen-
alton or not. We trust the department will
lot act hastily and .dispossess the Territory
4 any necessary mail facilities, even If 10
hall be proven that General Brady Is guilty
Il all CHARGED. These communities should
lot suffer for the wrongs Of the department
'fficials. j. The advent ~aof railroads,
Nth daily trains, which will soon penetrate
o all important centres, will relieve the sit
Iation Of some of the embarrassment which
would ensue from reduction of star service
n Montana, but rs yet material injury to
he Territory may result from arbitrary action
n annulling contracts on the ground of
raud, II It is proven. We hope to see this
Investigation thorough, and by a tribunal
those verdict will be just. But while Mon
ana Is not party to the transaction, she Is
liable to the greatest injury, and 1t Is the
luty Of the press and people to keep In po-
ition for the defense of our necessary mail
ervice against raid for reduction, which Is
.lmost sure to follow this investigation. 1t
equired the most energetic efforts of the Pa.
itic coast delegation aud their eastern friends
o defeat a merciless and unmerited attempt
1 this year or two ago In Congress, and II
anne nearer succeeding than did the crimi-
Iation Of General Brady and the contractors
ver whom, Is now, the fight began. The
anger Is that the immortal cry, LET no |
utility man escape J" will he turned into the
IMMORAL cry, "Let no innocent Territory es- |
ape" ri" ~" TauE sB E#idlERR gtt t4FrI
.t-..s--a4------- = - sa 4
nag 'n The Star Services Scandal. " "a =svI
New, York, April z2.-The Times says:
he plain story elsewhere published Of the
manipulation Of the mall route contracts be-
ween Mineral point, Arizona. and Phoebe, |