Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-17
BRlSTOWS INSTRUCTIONS
INVESTIGATION OF THE POSTAL.
FRAUDS TO BE SEARCHING.
The Postmaster General Desires to
Know the Entire Trouble-The
Prcsidcnt's Wishes.

All preliminaries incident to the investiga-
ton of the Cuban postal frauds have been
completed. a. far as the Post Office De-
partnent is concerned. Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Brlstow left yesterday
for Havana to take charge Of the postal af
fairs of the island and personally conduct
the investigation Yesterday Mr.. Rristow
was closeted with the Postmaster General
for some time receiving final instructions.
Before he left the Postmaster General
handed Mr.. Bristow printed instructions as
to his duties These Instructions, it is said,
are full and specific.
To Confer With Gen. Wood.
He is directed to confer with Governor
General Wood in the matter of investga-
ton, and upon all matters tending to a re-
organization of the service which seems to
have already been decided upon. BY the
time Mr.. Bristow arrives reports from in
spectors will be coming in. He is directed
to take immediate charge of these inspect
ors, it is said. and personally see that the
investigation is searching. If larger force
is needed to conduct the inquiry, 1t is
understood n sufficient 'lraft Of inspectors
will be made and sent forthwith The in
vestigation will be comprehensive and
minute. and every branch of the service and
all classes of officials will be embodied in it.
Learn the Entire Trouble.
1t is said the Postmaster General told Mr..
Bristow that the prosecution of the inquiry
must be governed with desire to learn the
entire truth and must be uncompromising
and unsparing. Mr.. Bristow, it is under
stood, goes to Cuba also with power to eX-
anime the postal system with Il view to
throwing greater safeguards about the ser
vice. Special attention, 1t is understood,
will be given the central organization of the
postal system and if any economies can be
f,,t,~ ts-
to bring them about. even though CONSOLE
dations of bureau or reduction of force Is
Indicated. Mr.. Bristow. it Is said, carries
with him the power sufficient to make any
removals deemed necessary for the good of
the service. 1t is understood the instruc-
tions recount how deeply the President was
shocked at the betrayal of trust on the part
of the postal officials. and mis- wish that in
dealing with the frauds there shall be Il
complete investigation with rigorous and
unsparing prosecution Of the guilty and
their punishment.
Asking for Information.
Representative Jones of Virginia today in
troduccd a resolution directing the Secre-
tary of War to furnish information in con-
nection with the Nicely disclosures in Cuba.
1t follows the Bacon resolution in the Sen
ate. and adds three further inquiries. viz:
WI hat amounts have been paid in Cuba n
the way of allowances and salaries TO the
commanding general the heads of the va
rious departments of the nited States
military government in Cubays including Ill
persons employed as clerks or otherwise
under said government?
What amounts have been paid in Cuba
to the officers of the late Cuban army and
what amounts, if any, are being paid at
the present time to said officers?
''In each of the expenditures concerning
which inquiry is made, out of what fund
was said amount pad?'
The Charges Against Thompson.
HAVANA. May 1.-THE principal charge
against the Havana postmaster, E. P.
Thompson, who. with W. II. Reeves, dep
uty auditor of the island and Edward
Moya and Jorge Mascara, Cuban clerks in
the stamp department was arrested yester-
day, will be that he entered into
spiracy with Corydon Rich, the clerk who
has confessed to a knowledge of many OF
the transactions, and who will give evidence
for the government, to shield c. F. w.
Neely, the arrested financial agent Of posts.
The prosecution says Thompson deliber-
ately received vouchers and ordered that
the changes be made in the books and ac-
counts, with the manifest intention of
Neely.
Moya and Mascara admit selling over
81 500 worth Of an old issue Of stamps
through the windows which were not called
for in the requisition
Thompson says that though he ordered
the alteration of certain figures at the re-
quest OF Ken. still he did so without know
ing tnat tneE were of criminal nature.
He thinks he might have been treated with
more consIGeration-either dismissed or re-
quested to resign.
Thompson's bail has been fixed at 10000
cash, which is not yet forthcoming.