The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-30
CONCLUSION.

For the purposes of this report the in
vestigation ordered by you on March
cases for trial where indictments have
been found, information may be secured
which will neceSSitate further investiga-
implicated.
ployed upon this work, some of them
continuously every day since the invests
gaftlon began me records eco; d OF +4go post Ss
| of many divisions of the department. COW
ering a period of from six to ten years.
| The system of organized corruption that
has been disclosed began in 1888 and con-
tinued until stopped by this investigation.
The amount of money secured by the cor
rupt officials and their confederates is
government. To illustrate: There Is no
| evidence that Louis received any compen-
sation from Ault and Wiborg, yet during
expenditures for canceling ink increased
over $4,000.
ceived money from the manifold company,
yet the cost of manifold supplies in
Barrett received but 5000 from Arnold,
yet that company defrauded the people
out of over 50, 900, GOO.
than 900 from the Croft fastener. Yet
the government has paid approximately
net loss, since the department continued.
by the terms of the contract for letter.
Beavers and his associates received lesa
than $4,000 from the automatic cashier.
Yet the department expended $74,z75 for
The total amount that the perpetrators
of these frauds themselves received can
gregate between 100000 and 100000. while
the loss to the government, considering
purchased and the inferior quality of those
furnished by fraudulent contractors, can
not be estimated with any degree Of ac-
AS the gross abuses have been brought
to light they have been promptly corr
rected by proper departmental officers.
Contracts where fraud has been Discovers
ed have been annulled-
AS a result of the investigation four of
ficers and employees of the departments
have resigned and thirteen have been re-
moved. Forty-four indictments have been
found, involving thirty-one persons, ten
of whom have been connected with the
postal service. Attached to this report is
from the service by resignation and re-
moval; also complete list of the indict-
ments and the persons involved
1 can not speak in too high praise of the
industry and intelligence of the inspec-
| the service The success of the investiga-
ton is largely due to them. They have
sought the truth with eagerness and skill.
No accounts have been too intricate for
them to unravel, no labor too BURDEN
some to undertake. Under the immediate
Cochran they have worked in perfect ac-
cord A list of those who have been en-
ployed on the investigation is attached to
The results of the investigation demons
strate that all travelling agents of the de-
partment-such assistant superintend-
ents of salaries and allowances, of the
free delivery service, the railway mail SER
vice, and the registry system, and inspec-
tors-should be placed under one organi-
zation.
A number of changes should be made in
the organization of the department in or
der to provide more perfect check on
the operations of various divisions. and
some restrictive legislation affecting the
divisions of salaries and allowances, Of
rural free delivery, and possibly others
may be necessary. What the service most
needs, however, is honest. intelligent ane
vigorous administration. The corruption
disclosed is not due to lax laws, but TO
the dishonesty of those who have been
charged with the responsibility of admin
| istering them.
In closing permit me to express my nlcs-a
sincere appreciation Of the cordial sup
port 1 have received from you during the
progress of the investigation The hearty
cooperation OF First Assistant Postmastsf
General Wynne, whose bureau has been
so largely involved. and OF Assistant ATT
torney General Robb. has been of grear