The San Francisco call., 1903-12-01
THE POSTAL FRAUDS.

and INSTRUMENTATION in the Postofhce Department
is now before the country in Mr. Brstows report and
in President Rooseves vigorous and clear epitome The
that these criminal indirectlons began under
the second administration OF Mr. Cleveland ana nave con-
nued under three ensuing administrations and under three
dferent Posmasers General of whose personal integrity
there is doubt
One gratifying sdelght thrown on the affair is the de-
veoped fact that Congressman Loud chairman OF the
Posofce Committee Of the House instgated and advised
this investigation and procured an appropriation OF money
for that purpose He like any public man, may have had
those under him who traded their contact but there is
every evidence that he had believe that the de-
partment was being misused to despoi the Government
and acting upon that belief in motion the inquiry
which has probed the matter to the bottom.
In matter that reaches far and involves the rela-
tons Of so many officials and private individuals
is only natural that many may to have had guilty
knowledge and criminal relations with the heads of the
scheme who innocent OF wrongdoing. Their connec-
tion while innocent may be misfortune, though their
regulations subject to vindicaon as the cases pro-
ceed
In its large outline the case is in which the Gov
ernrnen outside proper political functions engaged
in business making necessary immense contracts for
transportation and for supplies OF merchandise OF many
kinds The annual expenditures in carrying on this bus
nearly hundred millions. The persons
employed number about hundred and thirty thou
sand 1t managed to support itself Its expen
dures per capita OF population amount to ST. 3o its
income is only ST per capita per annum. The def
cit has to be made good by annual appropriations from
the treasury
If it were run as private business would be wholly
supported by the derived from those who paronze
it But as long the facility exists for charging off its
deficits the general taxpayers the annual deficit will ap
pear 1t example of the opportunities afforded by
the Government being in business Members of Congress
seek popularity by cheapening the postal service those
who use it. So we have progressive cheapening OF
fLa H,,e11 11aa
by mail in the commission on money orders and in the
carrying OF second class matter for the benefit OF the
patrons OF the business while there not corresponding
reduction the expense OF running it All deficits go
into the postal deficiency appropriation and footed by
the taxpayers
We have here situation which invites corruption and
early history fthe department the invitation has
been accepted, under all parties and all administrations
The present condition of the department disclosed by
BTstows report simply the explosion Of operations that
have been going for fifteen years 1t has seemed
impossible for such colossal business operations be
efficiently managed and saeguarded by the Postmaster
General He has, member of the Cabinet, to share
in the properly political functions of the Government Mat
Of patronage engross his time and attention and the
outline and detail of the business of his department
have be committed to subordinates, who may may
be selected for their integrity fitness They
numerous and their duties so intricate and their extension
with the business of the country far reaching
that the head of the department cannot hope inform
himself Of either
The general auditing system of the treasury applied to
the political part of the Governments functions is far
as they concerned, efficient check but this
o fail when it deals with the Postofce Department.
and to fail because it is business To illustrate the differ
ence between business as carried by corporation and
by the Government In the business of the Pullman Car
Company, amounting millions every year, is
kept of cake OF soap, every piece OF bed clothing
every towel comb and harbrush The general average Of
every in the Of these supplies is known and any
alteration Immediately examined If in use
appear the has be and the consumption
satisfactorily accounted for.
In the transaction OF the posoe business no such sys
tenn appears we have sudden increase in the use Of
folding supplies of $4,000 other articles of $4,000
in mail bag fastener of $I3oooo automatic cash registers
$74275 and through the list of merchandise great
and small in which the Government was compelled to
in its business system of audit does not seem
have noted the alteration from the average to have
been capable of finding hereason for its existence pr
vate corporation cake of soap or coarse
comb The Government is incapable OF finding leak Of
| $3.oooooo
These frauds that revealed will be punished The
President what he says 1t falls his lot to correct
abuses that begun when he private citizen and
that had accumulated their existing volume he be-
President Let hope that of it will pun
shment of the guilty, vindicaton of the innocent and
what is of equal Importance enlightened attempt to in
this Government business with business safeguards
QUEER COLOMBIA