The Washington times., 1903-11-30


tionaI allowance Of S115 for light and
fuel, making 1855 in all. On October Is,
1901, a lease was executed for a room
fully equipped and furnished with light
and heat for 81, $50 per annum for ten
years, the three months clause be
ing eliminated. On January %, 1902
about three months from the date of
execution Of tbs lease, II was Cancelled
and another executed at rental of
$500. And on day a. four months af-
terward. this $500 lease was Cancelled
and another executed for ten years at
5000 per annum, with the three
months clause. eliminated No addi-
I tional service was provided for in any
OF the subsequent leases that was not
included in tn original lease.
Fer the CRATER.
1T viii be observed that instead Of
using this authority given by Congress
to making longtime leases to secure
/ better buildings for less money. it has
been used for he benefit of grafters
; who seek to piliage the public revenues
Increasing rental over amount of
propOsal.-As a rule there is an active
interest in every community in the loca-
ton Of the postofice, and. numerous
proposals are submitted by the prop
erty owners. After considering the re-
ports of the inspectors and accepting
one Of the proposals. Beavers frequently
at the request OF friends, increased the
rental from S10o TO $500 per annum above
! that asked in the proposal. The records
/ indicate that many of these arbitrary
/ Increases in rent were made upon the
recommendation of members of Con-
gress. A list Of over forty cases is sub
mitted where increases were made in
this manner.
THE arbitrary increase Of rentals by
departmental officers because of the
political influence of the lessor is a
fragrant injustice to those whose bids
are rejected. 1t enables the man with
political or personal pull TO bid low
er than others and then by intrigue Sc
cure increased compensation. Such
policy is not only grossly unjust TO the
property owners whose proposals are
submitted in good faith. but opens wide
the doors to official corruption and
fraud
Brandt Automatic Cashier.
Prior to 1898 Iarge-sized postoffices.
for convenience in enabling clerks 20
make change rapidly. were furnished
with coin trays, the prices of which
ranged from $ to S12. depending upon
the size and construction
During the summer Of 1898 a number
Of the Brandt-Dent automatic cashiers
were placed in different postoffices for
the purpose Of testing its desirabilitv
as a change-rhaking device, and the
postmasters were requested to report
on their desirability. At that time Win
field s Strawn of Canton. Ohio. was the
superintendent Of agencies. and George
F. Miller. also Of Canton was the
Washington agent
Judge George E Baldwin of Can
ton. Ohio. father-in-law Of Miller. the
Washington agent was active in his ef-
forts to secure the introduction of the
machine by the department. The meth
DDS employed t. accomplish this result
are clearly set fDrth by the correspond
ence between Brandt. president Of the
company. and Strawn and Miller. his
agents. On February 20. 1899. Miller
wrote Brandt. stating:
% I am satisfied that we have the as
surance and friendship of both parties
General Heath and Mr. Beavers-and ali
that f.. necessary is to cultivate that
friendship. If not by kind words. by dol
lars and cents, and I think the latter
viii be the most positive; however. the
lines we have out now will result in q
change of program. which means our
ultimate success.
six weeks later Strawn wrote Brandt
from New York that Miller had left that
day for Washington, having succeeded
In plan TO effectively reach Nj Beav-
ers through a Brooklyn Congressman
.'On April is. after a conference with
Baldwin. his father-in-law. in Canton,
Ohio. Miller wrote Strawn as follows:
il possible exactly what this man Beav-
ers wants TO insure our success in that
department in the way Of dollars and
cents, but not to give it to him unless
forced to 60 so; and when we do If at
all. he desires to be present in person
himself and plan the agreement.
Baldwin Comes Here.
"On May 1 Strawn wrote Baldwin.
stating that Brandt would like for him
20 come to Washington for consultation.
In response TO this invitation Baldwin
came 20 Washington and held a confer
ence with the parties interested and as
a result on May g. 1899. an order was
given by First Assistant Postmaster
General Heath for 80 machines at $50
each. The machines are exactly the
same as those that were selling in Is
Of a slight change in the base. After
tho 80 machines had been disposed Of
additional orders were given. until 527
machines had been purchased. 217 Of
which were shipped to postmasters with
out requisiuon.
The postmaster at Chicago. on May
g, 1853, stated that ne could use but one
in his Office. yet i. July q. less than two
months later, nine OF these machines
we're sent 70 him and he was ordered 10
pay $50 each for them. The postmaster
at Keokuk. Iowa. advised the depart
ment that the machine was not practi-
cable and OF no value TO his office on
June ~. 1890. Beavers wrote him as fol-
lows:
Relative u the automatic cashier
In your Office, you are directed to put
the same into active use, as il is the
desire OF the department TO have a uni
form system in the matter of handling
cash in the larger postofiices.
1T is difficult TO understand what in
terest the department could have in a
systematic methJd. OF making change