The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-18
The Report of Bristow.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, d. c., Dec 16-The full
report of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow was made public today
with the exception OF the exhibits, which
are withheld because of the pending
criminal eases.
| The report reveals many new facts
brought out by the months of investiga-
tion and not embodied in the official alb
stract made public fortnight ago. The
report speaks of profigate expenditures
for Bundy time recorders. 1t states that
Hugh Mex. Landon, secretary of pneu-
matte cancelling machine company, testi-
| fed during the investigation that in this
city in 1902, where he came for orders.
Beavers referred him to clerk named
H. Clayton Graft ''as the man to do busi-
ness with" and that in a personal CONVEX
saton Graft said, You know none OF us
are here for our health. The govern
ment is not liberal In the matter of its
salaries and it costs much to live in Wash
ington."
Edward S. Alien, now a clerk at the
Cleveland, Ohio, postoffice, testified that
reports he made on the merits of the
Hampden canceling machine were lot
satisfactory to First Assistant Postmaster
was plainly advised that it was Mr..
Heath's desire that these machines be
installed and the desire OF Mr.
'and the general that he do less talking
derogatory to the machine. The machines
proved worthless. the report says that
H. j. Truesdell, OF Binghampton, N. Y,
of the cancelling machine company, told
the inspectors that before the order wa,
given for 100 Doremus canceliing ma
chimes, 200 shares 100000 WORTH of the
stock of the company was transferred 20
First Assistant Postmaster General
Heath, Heath promising to order no,
than 300 machines at s225 each. Trues-
dell said that the stock was later bought
back from Heath. The evidence against
Heath was submitted to the grand jury
here but the district attorney decided
that it was not sufficient to warrant In
dictment.
The report describes the efforts of Il.
Rand, of the postmaster generals
office to sell stock in a mining company
70 postoffice employees, and gives evidence
that Rand used government clerks IN
transacting private business.
Regarding the sale of promotions IN
New York city and Jersey City, the re-
pert mentions Bayonne, n. j., as also IL
yolyed and saws that while Otto +. Weiss.
the registry clerk at New York, now
dismissed, and an intimate friend OF
Beavers says he collected from $4,000 to
$1,000 for the Legislative fund for the
clerks. Weiss stated that he used about
s., 900 of this money for expenses and that
the balance, $4,000 or $1,000 he paid to
Benjamin Parkhurst. IAN intimate friend
of Beavers"
These facts were submitted to the grand
jury here in May but the district attor-
ney recommended against prosecution or
the ground of insufficient evidence and
further effort toward criminal and pro-
cess against Beavers and Weiss IN this
case was dropped when on May 81, last,
the statute of limitations operated il
Beavers case.
The report names number of instances
where clerks were appointed on order OF
Beavers. against the wishes of the post
masters. These clerks performed put
,aeagre services. Minerva Jeffreys, the
report continues, was $500 clerk at Ere
donia. n. Y for the first five months IN
1899. though she did not work there, the
postmaster never saw her, he says; ana
her payments were sent by check to Wash
ington and deposited in Beavers personal
bank account.
Regarding contracts with Congressman
for leases of postoffice premises, the re-
port says:
'sThere is no evidence to indicate that
Beavers reckless and high handed pro-
ceedings in the matter of leases was the
result of any general scheme of corruption
or blackmail on his part. His purpose
seems to have been to place members OF
Congress and influential politicians under
personal obligations to him.
Washington, Dec. 16.-The report OF
Messrs Conrad and Bonaparte on their eX-
animation Of the Bristow report endorses
that report generally, but non-concurs as
to certain passages and recommends
prompt publication of the reports. The
Bristow report in referring to transac-
ton says "the question of the legality OF
contract with Senator elect is mat