Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-23
INSTRUCTIONS TO e~sf0w
MADE RANKING OFFICER IN THE
CUBAN POSTAL SERVICE.
Directed to Ascertain What Reforms
Are Needed and to Find Out
the Whole Truth.

| In his speech in the Senate today upof
| the Bacon resolution for an inquiry into the
postal Irregularities in Cuba: Senator Plat
| OF Connecticut made public a letter of in
struction given to Mr.. Bristow upon his de
parture for Cuba. The letter Is as follows;
| Hon. Joseph l.. Bristow. Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General:
| Sir. Supplemt ntng my letter of May L.
| directing you to proceed at once to Cuba
| the following further instructions are giver
! for your guidance:
You will Immediately on your arrival al
Havana confer freely and fully with Gen
Wood military governor, and will keep in
constant communication with him in the
work on which you enter You will CO.
operate with the military governor both in
the investigation of all irregularities in the
postal service of Cuba and in any measures
for the reorganization of the system that
| may be undertaken.
The examination by the inspectors. al
ready provided for. will have begun before
your arrival. You will assume general SUI
perrision of this examination. and will en-
force The instructions heretofore given that
it shall be of the most searching and thor
oush character. If you find that you need
still larger force for the prompt and COM
plete performance of this duly you will call
for it. The investigation must be compre-
henSlNe and minute. covering every branch
of the service and all classes of officials
Its prosecution must be governed solely by
the purpose of aScertaining the truth and
the whole truth. and it must be uncompro-
missing and unSparing.
Besides supervising the investigation in
cooperation with the military governor it
will be your duty to examine the organiza-
ton of the postal service. with its system of
checks and balances. and report what
greater or additional safeguards can be pro-
vlded. tnder the system established at the
beginning of the American occupation of
Cuba the administrative side Of the service
was placed under the control of this depart
ment and the auditing or checking side
under the control of another. This is the
system of the United States government
The irregularities and populations which
which have been brought to light were ap-
parently accomplished because officers an
pointed by and responsible to different de
partmentS. and who should have been a
check upon each other. entered into collu-
sion and conspiracy to perpetrate these
wrongs on the one side and to pass and
cover them up on the other. You will care
fully investigate by what defects of super
vision or defense they We're consummated
anu what further measures of protection in
the passing and auditing of accounts and
IN the handling of public funds and pronerty
may be needed.
1t Is desired also that the central organi-
cation of the postal service in Cuba shall
receive your special attention You will
examine as to whether ii is framed in the
best manner for efficient administration
You Will See whether compatibly with a
S'ou ili'iii service the people, e
trenchn ents can be made. and whether
economies can be effected by a consolida-
non and reduction of bureaus. 1t is de-
sired to bring the postal expenditures with
IN the postal revenues far as may be
consistent with the obligation of providing
a satisfactory mail service.
Your presence In Cuba. as the represen-
tatlve of the department with these in
structons. makes you the ranking officer
OF Inc postal administration. You will con-
slider and advise what removals or other
action may be required in the cause of JUS
ice. for the interest of the government and
of the people of Cuba and for the welfare
of the service.
You are chosen for this duty with the
approval of the President who is deeply
shocked at the shameful betrayal of trust
on the part of officials in whom confidence
mad been reposed, and who directs that in
dealing with all irregularities which have
been or may be disclosed the sole rule of
action shall be thorough and complete in
vestigation. the rigorous and unsparing
prosecution of all guilty persons. and their
swift and condign punishment.
You will communicate these Instructions
10 General Wood. keeping him fully in
formed as you proceed and reporting regu-
larly to the department.
Respectfully yours
CHARLES EMORY SMITH
Postmaster General.