The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-23
Many California Postal Officials
Are Involved.
Invention Of San Francisco Post.
master Worked OF.
100 PER CENT PROFIT
Was Exacted on a Device That
Was Never Used.
Ex-COngressman Loud Was in
on the Deal.

Washington. June 23.-The Post says
that among the MATTERS which Fourth
Assistant Postmaster Bristow is in
vestigating is the purchase from a Cali
fornia company. the Postal Device and
Improvement company. of 1900 letter
devices for indicating the hours of col
lection of mail The invention is that of
the postmaster at San Francisco. it is
said
1t is also said that 1000 Of these de-
vices originally were ordered at a cost
OF a or more each or a profit Of loo per
cent OH cost. and the allegation is made
thar "a further order for 10000 was
placed. notwithstanding the original
1000 devices were not used. but were
Tepcsing In a storehouse. The company
controlling the device was largely made
UP Of California postal authorities and
the Post says that it is Informed that
Representative Loud of California,
formerly chairman Of the house postot-
nee committee. took an active part in
their behalf and wrote several letters
urging the device in the department. and
in one of them said it would be an ac-
commodation to him if the matter We're
attended to.
after the committee had difficulty in
securing its money for the device Mr..
Loud the Post viii say appeared at the
department in its behalf. but specihcal-
ly dlsclaimed any interest in the com
Iany other than it was composed of his
constituents He took the ground that
whatever the necessity or lack of neces-
sity for the device constituents of his
had secured the contract and furnished
the articles called for. Therefore he
believed they should be paid as the
government had stipulated to pay them.
During his recent visit to this city
Mr. Loud. on certain of his visits to the
department took up some of these un-
paid bills making it plain. however.
that ne appeared only in bshalf Of his
constituents and not as one financially
interested
The allegation was made, the Post
says that $4,000 Of the deficiency Of
Sl05 900 in the free delivery service with
which Mr.. Machen is charged was due
10 the purchases of the device in ques-
tion but at the postofiee department
this was denied and the statement made
that the matter was under iavestiga-
tion Complaints also had been made,
u was stated. that at the instance of
Mr. Loud the rolls at the Preside had
been padded with postal employees, but
az The pcstofiice department they We're
without any knowledge of such thing
one way or the other.
An effort was made to get state
menr from Mr. Machen on the subject
but be declined to either affirm or dem
the reports
FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS.
Washington. June 23-Having re-
turned indictments against the parties
concerned in the transactions of tn.
Croft brothers. involving street letter
box fasteners. the grand jury has be
eun tie Investigation of other contracts
with the general delivery service. i. is
saic tne postofiice department.. through
ils -rscectors. who have been working
on The ease for some time. has made
some discoveries which made it imuerl-
tive THAT the grand jury take the mat
ger ur The contracts referred TO n=r.
tain 10 the use of aluminium paint on
street. letter boxes throughout the coun~
tlE.