Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-18

Porto Rico, amounting 10 ever $l,5VO
and involving some washstands at very
high prices, Mr. Tullooh says were pur-
chased by order Of the first assistant
postmaster general on April % and
May % 1899, from George w Cobb Jr,
70 Nassau street, New York city
p. 0. INSPECTOR WARNED.
Mr.. Tulloch says that a postofiice in
spector In charge, William b. Smith OF
this city, made an inspection of the
Washington postofilce and during that
Inspection received word from an Of
fetal OF the first assistant postmaster
generals office that he would better be
careful or he might lose his own head.
Mr.. Tuloch adds: II was credibly
informed at that time that the matter
50 prepared, with perhaps other evil
dence, was laid before Postmaster Cen
eral Smith by Fourth Assistant POST
master General Bristow, who requested
the appointment OF a commission TO
investigate the office of the first as
slstant postmaster general. This was
refused by MIR. Smith, who looked upon
Il as another manifestation OF the re-
latons eyis,lng between Perry >. Heath
and Mr., Brlstow."
omnung, the statement says!
Residents OF Washington remember
well receiving few years since an Of
fetal letter from the postmaster at
Washington recommending and SEEM
ingly recurring the purchase OF an
extensive house TO house collection
and delivery mail box, TO be attached
TO their front doors. Many persons
bought these boxes. This box was the
property Of individuals or an individual
company. II was always supposed that
certain departmental officials took
more than q passing interest In IL, IN
connection with certain other proml-
nent personages.
CONCERNING FAVoRITlsM.
On the question of favoritism in APP
poIntments he says:
"Oliver II. Smith OF Muncle. Ind,
was an intimate friend and associate
of Perry S. Heath. The latter Nov 20,
1897, wrote as follows 10 the Washing
ton postmaster 1 have this day al
lowed you $500 per annum to provide
for the appointment OF Oliver ii. smith
az laborer at the several stations
connected with your office, Mr.. Smlth
will act IN dual capacity, serving
both clerks and carriers. The free de-
livery division will also make an al
lowance Of 81 per day to cover car fares
and incidental expenses Tor Mr. smlth'
who Is, | believe, to report to you on
the morning OF the 2lst. TINS Is the
gentleman whose appointment mas beeh
frequently recommended bv you
MIR. Heath used the expression az
your request or in connection WIN
your recommendation, in connection
with many appointments concerning
which the postmaster was entirely ig-
norant, and for whose services, IL ne
received them at all he had no use or
need. Dec, TO-, 1897, Mr.. Heath wrote
"Oliyer II. Smith has been detailed
70 assist In repairing, painting ana
erecting street letter boxes lie WIN
be paid through your office at the rate
Of 81 per day for every working Day
commencing Nov ~.
"Thus he Is appointed as a laborer
and paid allowance for clerk hlre,
fund under the salary and allowance
division; in the second, he Is PAID as
per diem mechanic from the allowance
for repairing street letter boxes iuh9
under the free delivery service ana
audited by different clerks In the treas
ury department a person faithiuliy
performing the duties Of the one would
be unable to devote full time 10 the
other Mr. Smith did very niue OF
either. During the summer OF 1873 Mr.
Smith was in service at Camp Alger
Va. in connection with the military
postal service"
ION ACCOUNT OF INTIMATE RE-
LATIoNs."
Mr.. Tunoch says. ION account OF
the intimate relations between the de-
partment and the WashtBtSn Office,
verbal directions often Accompanied the
written orders aud were far more inter-
estlng. For example; The postmaster
one day brought me an allowance OF the
first assistant postmaster-ge generals sal
arv and allowance division, July 2hlSsS,
appointing Emma James and Fannie X.
Winans as cleaners or 'chairwomen for
one year from July ], 1898, at $500 per
annum, Handing me the allowance, he
stated II was the intention OF the de-
partment that the names of the women
should not appear on any payroll; that
neither OF the parties designated should
know that the other was in receipt OF
any money or had any connection with
the office. He also stated that neither
of them was expected to report for any
duty. This complimentary roll was
added to later"
CLASSIFICATION IGNORED.
Mr.. Tulloch says that the classified
ton act of March 2, 1888, was Ignored
by First Assistant Postmaster-General
Heath and that sundry persons desig-
mated finance clerks, auditors, etc.,were
paid Illegally from 5000 to $500 each
per annum over their lawful salaries
with only one or two exceptions the
appointments as cleaners, chairwomen,
laborers, etc, he says were evasions
Of the civil service and the parties did
not perform the duties implied in their
official designations, often no service
whatever. Transfers were made by the
assistant postmaster general from out
eide Offices without any request or de-
mand from the local postmaster.
Mr.. Tulloch says the emergency
measures to provide mail facilities dur
ing the Spanish war presented great
opportunities for favoritism and irreg-
uarities. He says that ]. w. whitney,
said TO be the father-in-law Of Harri-
son ]. Barrett. late law clerk for the
postofiice department was appointed
postmaster OF one OF the principal cities
OF Porto Rico. When" It Is stated ''he
was called down sharply by the Wash
Ington Office with reference to irregusr-
lilies IN his money order account he
wrote back, Perhaps II YOU knew who
my influence Is, you would not write
TO me In such a manner His postal ac-
count became so confused and full OF
errors ! refused TO pay his salarv. n
order TO make good as far as possible
He surprised me one day by calling
and demanding his back pay This was
refused until his account had been auf-
tied. He replied Very well, at your