The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-09-15
Finds Imperative Need of Revo-
lutionizing Post-Oftice De
partment.
PREMIUM ON DISHONESTY.
Recommends That Present Sys-
tenn of Purchasing Supplies BE
Placed Under Supervision
of Fourth Assistant.

REPT BLIC SPECIAL.
Washington, Sept. 1.-THE final report
of Joseph l. BristOw, the Fourth As
sistant Postmaster General, on the postal
frauds is completed and its contents are
known to the Postmaster General.
The report contains numerous recon-
mendations looking TO the improvement
of the methods of transacting the postal
business and the correction of many OF
the abuses which have been disclosed by
the pending investigation.
The most important recommendations
relate to the business methods praCticed
by irresponsible officials in connection with
the purchase of supplies for the postal
service. These supplies aggregate millions
of dollars. Thus far the investigation has
developed that most of the frauds were
committed in the First Assistants office
but the investigation has spread over the
entire service, so that Mr.. BriStow has
reached the conclusion that the interests
of the Government require that radical
cnanse should De made in the system or
purchasing and issuing supplies.
Under the present system the First
Assistant has Jurisdiction over the pur-
chase of stationery for the entire postal
service, including marking and rating
stamps, letter balances and scales. wrap
ping twine; wrapping paper. packing
boxes, printing face slips rubber stamps.
printing and binding.
The Second Assistant now has control
of the purchase OF supplies in connection
with the railway mail service, which in
ciudeS mail pouches, locks, keys. chains,
cord fasteners. label cases and repairs.
CONGRESS MUST ACT.
Mr.. Bristow. In his report. recommends
that the purchase of all supplies. both of
the First and Second Assistants offices,
and also Of the other branches of the serv-
ice. be concentrated under the Fourth As
sistant, with an entire reorganization of
tho supply division, under a new chief. at
a = advanced compensation. by reason oi
tn, increased responsibilities and duties
of the rev division chief
1t will require the sanction Of Congress
to make this change.
There are other recommendations IN
the report which may be put into opera
ton by amendments TO the postal regula-
tions. or by direction of the f@>Stmaster
General without new legislation. 1t is
probable, however. that Congress VIII be
fully advised of the new administrative
cheney and integrity of the service.
Postmaster General Payne stated to-day
that he had kept advised of the various
changes and recommendations proposed
by Mr.. BristOw during the progress Of his
investigation, and he will ask for new
legislation to carry out the suggestions
of Mr.. Bristow. wherever they are cal
culated TO remedy the existing defects In
the service.
Mr.. Brlstow has completed his investi
CATION and the Governments case, SO far
as the Post-Ofice Department is con-
cerned, is now in the hands Of the De-
partment of Justice.
Great pressure has been brought to bear
to have Perry 6. Heath. former First As
sistant Postmaster General. eXOnerateo in
the Bristow report. But. II this is done
al ALL II will only be in the form of omit
ting all references to Mr.. Heath.