The Washington times., 1903-12-27
POSTMASTER VAN COTT
AROUSED TO DEFENSE
DenOunces Alleged Report
as a Complete Lie.
THINKS HE is PROSECUTED
Proposes to Run Down Malicious
Stories-Defends His Ad-
ministration.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2s-Postmaster
Cornelius Van Colt today vigorously de-
Tended his administration OF the post
Office in this city. He declared that
from recent published reports it is evil
dent that he is being made the victim
OF an assault conducted by malicious
persons.
A story, printed today, purportins
to be the findings of Major Little. and
showing the condition Of affairs In this
city, was called by Mr.. Van Colt a lie
from beginning 10 end. He said he did
not believe that it contained a single
recommendation made by the inspectors.
In the first interview he has given
since the local postofice situation has
taken such a personal turn. Mr. Van
Colt declared that the persecution he
has been subjected TO has gone far
enough. and that on Monday he would
be at his Office to investigate the source
Of the stories, and. II possible, bring the
guilty parties 70 justice.
Mr.. Van Colts Defense.
Mr.. Van Colt said:
Everything which has been printed
placing my administration Of the post
Office here in a bad light is false The
malicious persons who have circulated
the stories brand themselves as falsi-
fiers by the statements they make.
This Office has been charged with acts
which have never even been considered
because they We're outside Of our pro
vince ! refer particularly to the subject
OF rentals for sub-postoffices. the letting
OF contracts and the supply question
The authorities at Washington alone
look after the rentals. 1 have nothing
whatever 70 do with he l. L.,
been stated that we pay exorbitant sums
for the property secured. The fact that
several thousands OF dollars must al
ways be paid in fitting up the properties
acquired is left out Of the account.
Perfect Banking System.
The charge that this office furnishes
money demanded by Offices in other
cities without any checking of accounts
is false. The postoffice here is the great
clearing house for the money order de-
partment of the country One would
think from the stories which have been
printed that we ship coin without mo-
ment's hesitation TO any Office demand.
ing it.
THE system is as perfect as that of
any bank. Everything is done by letters
Of credit and drafts. The office here is
the repository for all the surplus money.
Each postoffice must send US its surplus
II $50 or over. Ii is with this money that
we conduct the department.
When an office needs money it draws
on US and the money is transferred
through the local bank in the ordinary
way. and the receipts come to US daily
from the clearing house. Receipts are
footed up and reports made to Wash
ington every three months
No Dummies On Pay Roll
When the charge of dummy names on
the pay rolls was recited TO Mr. Van
Colt he became very indignant and said:
1T is false. Every name on the pay
roll OF the Office represents somebody
who works-and works hard. / have inn
pl.cit confidence in everybody employed
in the building
Il want 1t understood. too, that am
at the head Of the Office. / am there
from S o'clock in the morning untn 5
o'clock in the evening. and 1 do not turn
over my salary TO my son or leave ques-
tons Of policy in the conducting Of the
department 60 him.
'It has been stated that thousands OF
dollars are lost annually by purchases
made through my Office. We don't
spend S, ZOO year in that way Almost
everything is received by requisition
from Washington and the record of
what we receive is carefully kept there.
Challenges Contradiction.
Il cannot believe it possible that, af-
ter my long and faithful career in pub
lie Office. somebody is now trying 10
make me out a thief. / challenge any
body 20 prove a thing against me My
Office Is always open. and / stand ready
10 explain any specific act about which
anybody seeks information.
How anybody has the audacity to
call a tissue OF lies the report which in
teliigent inspectors have sent to Wash
ington I cannot understand Do you
suppose these men would pry into my
personal affairs and spread on paper the
relations between my son and myself In
private life2 I don't"
II was said at the office OF the inspec.
tors I'm the Postohice Building that Mai
or Little has left town. to be away a
week. The report as published was
characterized by all there as q fake"
At the request Of Mr.. Van Colt, Super
intendent Elliott. Of the money order
department. today opened his books ana
explained In detail the money transfer
system