The Washington times., 1902-12-22

Il is not improbable that before the
adjournment Of Congress nex- March. 4
demand may be made for its investiga-
tion q certain divisions Of the Post
Office Department.
Il is said that a condition Of affairs
exists there which would warrant such
a demand. and that thorough inquiry
would develop facts which might lead
to the designations Of two OF more chiefs
and a number Of inspectors For in
stance. IL has been observed that four
companies are successful In obtaining
contracts to supply the letter boxes on
"a large majority Of the rural routes es-
tabllshed. Their success is chiefly due
to the fact that their agents are usually
on the ground canvassing in advance Of
the time the route is officially laid out
and long before the agents Of other COM
Danies are aware that It is TO be estab-
hshed.
Former Rule Abolished.
Under the administration Of Postmas-
ter General Smith, only such compa-
nies as manufactured certain kind OF
STANDARD box fsere allowed 20 compete.
Postmaster Gesoral Payne has. however.
abolished this rule. and opened the field
to all corners who provide a suitable
metallic box in which rural carriers
may deposit mail Notwithstanding the
fact that there is supposed TO be a fair
Rer1 md No r,rorf+oe co-+ofr 10 q. tb~e
the Corbin Lock Box Company. OF Bridge
port Conn: the Century Company. OF
Detroit. Mich: me Bond Steel Post Com
pany. Of Adrian, Mich, and a company in
Toledo obtain practically all OF tne con-
tracts for placing letter boxes along the
rural routes.
This is due not TO the fact that they
make a better box than any other COM
pany. OF that they sell at a cheaper fg-
ure but becan==, as stated. their agents
are first upon the ground. This has led
20 the alleged discovery that a certain
high official Of the department is a large
stOckholder in each of these four COM
panies. It is said that his plan is ia
advise one or two OF these companies as
soon as route is surveyed. in order
that their agents may canvass the routs
before the other companies know whers
it is 20 run. Usually the favors have
been passed around among the four
companies.
Suspicion Aroused
In this connection il has also been
developed that an inspector stationed in
New York was sent 10 the factory OF the
Corbin Company near Bridgeport for
the purpose nf perfecting rue UOrDIu
box While on this duty he drew S4
day extra compensation. which is al
lowed TO inspectors while out on the
road. and was supposed TO he superin-
tending the establishment OF a rural
route near Bridgeport
shortly after the Corbin box was per-
fected and made to comply with al the
requirements, IL was thought advisable
by certain officials % use a sum aggre-
eating about So 600. which was available
in the department. for the purchase OF
"a large number of boxes, and to sell
these boxes 10 people along the routes
az cost. a commission was appointed
TO determine upon the best box and 10
make the purchase. Eugene Hathaway.
an Inspector stationed in New York.
who had himself perfected the Corbin
box. was one Of the commissioners. and
II. Conquest Clark was another.
For some reason. however. the plar
was abandoned and the department dl6,
not purchase any boxes.
a number of members OF Congress arf
dissatisfied with the treatment accorded
them in the matter OF rural free de.
livery. Whcu they refused 10 comply
with ,ho request Of certain powerful Of
hciGls OF the department. they have beer
iold that they could expect nothing
more tn the way OF establishing routeG
IN their respective districts.
POstofice Ohgarchy.
A promileut Pennsylvania member Of
the House was approached some time
ago by one OF Che Postohice oligarchy
who demanded q favor. IL was refuset
him. SOme Jue matter o.
opening now rural free delivery route
In the members district. where il VA
much needed. and there was every rea