The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-18

lOIllSQ very lllllG SERVICE anu OllGIS
none at all.
The most important exhibit is the
confidential report of PoStoffice Inspec-
ter Smith, in charge of the Washing
ton division, made in July, 1899, set
ting forth irregularities, which he urged
should be investigated. He names four
employees on the military roll, who APP
pear not to have performed any Serv-
ice in connection with military postal
matters, and for whose original APP
pointment or continuance on the rolls
no good reason exists. The payment to
w. s. Larner, military postal clerk,
by the cashier, of $118.93, subsequently
disallowed by the auditor of the treas
ury, on Jan. 4, 1899, is gone into at
length, and it is shown that this mat
ter was entirely irregular, and that
payments were directed without proper
vouchers.
Paid Too High Prices.
Attention is called to certain items
of expenditures authorized for the
military postal service of supplies,
furniture and travelling expenses, ag-
gregating $S,750.70, with the statement
that the prices paid for some of the
articles enumerated, such as wash
stands at $40 each, appear to have
been highly excessive.
Attention also is called to additional
Ill COllllSCllOll VIII NllC
pay rolls of clerks and laborers, and
to charging premiums on the bonds
of military postal clerks, notwithstand-
ing such expenses are not chargeable
to the United States.
An interesting feature concerns ir-
Irregularities in the appointment, COM
pensation and promotion of oliver H.
Smith On Nov. 20. 1897, the first as
sistant postmaster general authorized
Er.Ts
his appointment as laborer, stating
that the free delivery division would
also allow 81 per day to cover car
fare and incidental expenses. Smith
drew pay from Nov. %, 1897 to Nov.
30, 1898, making his compensation for
one year approximately $1,34S.60 The
inspector reports mo one has certi
fed to the actual time Smith was en-
ployed nor has any statement been
attached to his pay vouchers, showing
what particular service he rendered.
He was continued in dual capacity of
clerk and mechanic until April l, 1899,
when he was promoted to be financial
clerk at $1,700 per annum."
The inspector says he knows of no
authority of law for his appointment
or promotion.
Where Heath Came In.
Attention is next called by the in
spector to certain vouchers, author
lied to be paid by the first assistant
postmaster general, such as expenses
of Perry S. Heath and George w.
Beavers, travelling on official business.
The inspector states that these vouch-
ers do not appear to have been item
lied in the proper manner, nor is the
necessity for the expenditure of this
money by the Washington Postoffice
apparent.
Attention is called to seven clean
ers, placed on the payroll of the Wash
ington office under authority of the
first assistant postmaster general to
be charged to the appropriation for
miscellaneous expenses. The names of
these cleaners-all female-are given.
The inspector states that neither the
postmaster nor any one connected with
the Washington Office was able to give
any information as to where they were
employed or the nature of their work,
and the inspector is of the opinion that
practically no service whatever has
been rendered for the money expend-
ed.
The inspector says that by the over
tapping of a lease executed in 1897, the
government lost 1928, and that the
building was paid for one month be-
yond its occupancy.
The inspector reports that when the
cashier of the Washington postoffice
on letters from the controller sus-
pended payments to certain persons
mentioned he was required to continue
these payments upon direct written
order from the postmaster, who states
he was verbally instructed in his ac-
ton by the first assistant postmaster
general.
More in the Good Thing.
The payments were made under the
inspectors protest. The inspector
cites payments to Catherine Endlessly.
Charles A. Machen, A. B. Hurt H. L.
Lorenz, John S. Leach and r. W.
Wait, on the authority of the first as
sistant postmaster general of per diem
in connection with claims of letter car
riers for over time charges, aggre-
eating $4.655. The inspector says this
amount disbursed from July l. 1898 to
May l, 1899, was disbursed without au-
thority of law Machen, Lorenz and
Hurt, it appears, were paid per diem
covering the same period by the dis
bursting clerk of the Department OF
Justice, from appropriations for de-
Tending suits in letter carriers claims
against the United States before the
Court of Claims. These parties con-
tinued to draw pay until the controller
called for statement from them.
The report of Inspector Little on the
investigation of the Washington office,
dated July 81, 1900 says that a num-
Der of clerks were added TO the rolls
without request of the postmaster
and that the postmaster states
that at times it has been diff
cult to find employment for all as
signed to his rolls. The inspector says
the roster appears to be elastic to be
added to as circumstance arise, wheth-
er the postmaster requested it or not.
The aggregate salaries paid to those
not connected with the Office amount
ed to $16 100.
The original charges of Mr.. Tulloch
made to Postmaster General Smith and
the conclusion reached by Mr.. Smith
in his report on them follow practically
publications recently printed. Mr..
Smith says that the payment of bonds
of military postal clerks by the govern
ment was in order to protect Post
master Wilett and his sureties when
the service was organized.
smith Tries to Explain.
AS to the dual compensate ton to o. H.
Smith former Postmaster General
Smith says that it was the opinion of
the department that any employe re-
ceiving so, 500 or less could be paid
compensation on two different rolls.
Concerning the vouchers for expenses
of Beavers, Heath and others, Mr..
Smith says that the vouchers were
furnished where possible and the en-
tire account regularly sworn to. He
defends certain alleged irregular APP
polntments. and says the appointments
were regular, and that the postmaster