The Washington times., 1903-11-30

ton of case for trial where indirf-
ments have been found. Information
may be secured which wiz necessftate
further Investigation and possibly la
voIve persons not now implicated
More than forty Inspectors have
been employed upon this work. some Of
them continuously every day since The
/ investigation began The records az
the files of mauy divisions OF The dtpa~f-
meut, covering a period Of from six to
ten years. scrutinized.
''rhe system Of organized corruDtlo,
that has been disclosed began In 1.aa
and continued until stopped 10y this in
vestigatio The amount OF monev So
cured by the corrupt officials and Their
confederates is small as compared 10
the total loss 20 the Government. To
illustrate: There Is no evidence that
Louis received any compensation from
Ault x Wiborg. yet during the mrs.
year Of his administra ton the expeadi-
lures for caHceling Ink increased over
$4,000.
No Money Received.
IT does not appear that Kempue- re-
ceived money from the manifold COM
pany, yet the cost OF manifold supplies
increased more than 5000 a year.
Barrett received bur $500 from Ar
mold, yet that company defrauded the
people out OF over 100000
'Maqhen probably did not receive more
than $4,000 from the Grof fastener.
Yet the Government has paid approx
iiaateiy $4,000 for that device. which
represents a net loss, since the depart
ment continued. by the terms OF The
contract for letter boxes. TO paw Tor 49,.
original fasteners.
Beavers and his associates recet,..,5
less than $4,000 from the aufon7ssi,.
cashier Yet the department exne1de5
chine ma
The total amount that the perpetra-
tors OF these frauds themselves raeeirea
cannot be definitely learned. but IL VIII
aggregate between $4,000 and 500 Co.
while the loss 10 the Government ces,z
sidering the unnecessary supplies thar
have been purchased and the inferior
quality Of those furnished b. the fraud-
ulent contractors, cannot be estfmated
with any degree Of accuracy
Gross Abuses.
AS the gross abuses have been brouqbt
to light they have been promptly cor
rected by the proper departmental Off
GERS Contracts where fraud has hon
discovered have been annulled.
As a result Of the investigation fo1tr
officers and employees of the department
have resigned and thirteen have been re-
moved. Forty-four indictments have
been found. involving thirty-one Der.
sons, ten Of whom have been connected
with the postal service. Attached to
thls report IS list of those who have
elre~1r tod
lgnation and reuacvaI; also a eonnnlef.
Involved.
Inspectors Praised.
I cannot speak in too high praise OF
I the industry and inteIIieence Of IT, -.
speetors and their loyalty to the infrr-
ests Of the service. The success OF the
investigation is largely due 10 them.
Ihey nave sought the truth with eager
ness and skill No accounts have been
100 intricate for them to unravel. no
labor too burdensoTne TO undertake. I'm
der the immediate charge OF Chief IN
spec1or William + Cochran. they have
worked IN perfect accord A Iist Of
those who have been employed on the
investigation is attached TO this report
HE results Of the Investigation dem
onstrate that all travelling agents of the
ocpaf tfnenU-Such as assistant suDerfu-
tendents of salaries and allowances. Of
the free delivery service the Railway
Mail Service. and the registry system.
and nspectors-shOuId be placed under
one organization
"A number Of changes should be made
IN the organization OF the department
in order 10 provide more perfect check.
on the operations of various divisions.
and some restrictive legislation Affecting
the divisions OF salaries and allowance.
OF rural free delivery, and possibly
others may be necessary. What the
service most needs. however, is honest.
intelligent, and vigorous administra-
ton The corruption disclosed Is not
due 10 lax laws. but to the dishonesty
Of those who have been charged with
the responsibility of administering
them.
In closing, permit me TO express my
most sincere appreciation Of the cordial
support have received from YOU during
the progress Of the Investigation The
hearty cooperation of First Assistant
Postmaster General Wynne. whose -bu-
reau has been so largely involved. and
Of Assistant Attorney General Robb,
has been Of great value"