New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-18
NOT FOR HIM TO QUESTION
Postmaster Tan Colt Sim PLY Obeyed
Orders. Says HIS Son.
IN INSULT. SAYS F. 4. TANDERLIp

An INSULT, SAYS F. 4, TANDERLIP.
The charges in the report of Messrs. Conrad and
Bonaparte regarding the postofice and other de-
partments in this city were apparently regarded in
the Federal Building yesterday as a thunderbolt
from a clear sky
With regard to Postmaster Van Colts pavrnert
to George W Beavers as instructed in a letter
signed by Acting First Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral George NJ. Allen and countersgned by a W
M" of S14S, 81 a day. for expenses in assist
ing special attorneys in the Court of Claims" from
July l. 1898 until an explanation was demanded and
the payment stopped Richard Van Colt, for the
postmaster, who has been confined to his room for
several days on account Of a severe cold. denied
that there had been anything unlawful in the post
masters action.
The report said:
We v5 find t it mPossI9 FL 70 doubt that Mr. Heath
the payment Of this additional compensation was
expenses 10 evade this prohibition
Mr.. Van Colt showed letter from Mr. Allen
authorizing the postmaster to pay Mr.. Beavers "a
daily for expenses as assistant to the special at
torneys in the Court OF Claims in the settlement Of
letter carriers overtime claims
1T was not Mr.. Van Colts business said his
son, TO challenge the authority Of the letter or
what duties Mr.. Beavers was performing in return
FOR the money. Evidently the request was strictly
lawful and in order. or the postmaster would have
objected to carrying out the instructions"
This view was evidently shared by certain off,
Gals In the auditors department who said thew
saw nothing unlawful in Mr.. Van Cott's procedure
intimating' as Mr.. Van Colt. jr had DONE that the
case was one of numerous similar instances which
had not been called in question
Major Little. in charge Of the Washington post
Office inspectors, who at the order Of President
Roosevelt are still in this city investigating the
postO1lce, takes different view Of the case
If the postmaster. as a disbursng officer re-
ceived a request from Mr.. Allen TO make a paw
ment which the postmaster considered was not in
order. it his duty report the matter forth
with direct to the Controller of the Treasury.
said Major Little. Should he fail to do this and
the payment was afterward found to be unlav-
full. the money would have to be made good out
Of his pocket"
Major Little declined 10 discuss Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow's report in its reIa-
ton TO the case OF Assistant District Attorney E
Z. Baldwin, charged with knowledge Of a fraud
against the government and insuItingly refusing
information to inspectors
The inspectors referred TO are said to be Major
Little and Inspector Oldfeld who called on Mr.
Baldwin at the Federal Building. it is said instead
OF al his legal Office No So Nassau-st and were
unable to gain certain Information
At that part OF the report which criticised F A
Vanderlp. as acting Secretary OF the Treasury for
transferring Thomas W. Ciilmer to a lower grade
Mr. Vanderlip, at his Office, No 80 waII-st. ex-
pressed Indignation and called 1t a gratutous in
THE facts Of Mr.. Gilmer's transfer he said
concerning Mr.. Gilmer could only have come from
illusions. has not even taken the trouble to come
to see me
"CIilmer was transferred for the good of the ser
vice. BY temperament he untitled for the post
Of investigating the discussing officers OF other de-
partments. which he held at 81 year. While
and honest he cantankerous man
lacking in address and tact. He antagonized every
Cabinet official with whom he came into contract
lie transferred in Difference to the wishes OF
a high authority. TO his old place in the auditors
department his old salary of 800 The Civil
Service examination. which he successfully pa ssed
unfortunately does not take into account the per
sonal equation
Mr. Vanderlip said that in Secretary Shaw-s let
ter appended to the report be found a vim
dication of his action.