The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-30


amounting to $500. He employed a
substitute for part of the time at an
expense of $50.
At Fredonia, N. Y, on October IL,
1898, the postmaster was directed to
appoint Frank P. Ball as laborer at a
salary of $500 per annum, which he did;
and Ball was carried the rolls at
that rate from October u, 1888, to De-
cember 81. 1902, and paid 81, 532-0T, for
which he rendered no service whatever,
being engaged most of the time in the
ticket brokerage business at Dunkirk.
n. Y This period covers part of the
terms of two pOStmaSterS; both of
them, however, certified Ball as reg
uIarly employed.
AT Dunkirk, N. Y, John A. Link was
appointed laborer in the postofice on
May 1, 1898, at 5000 per annum, and
drew pay until June 30, 1903, covering
period of more than five years. He
was a barber and continued to work at
his trade during all that time. He re-
ceived in all .$3,100.55. less Sill paid for
substitute, for which he rendered no
service
At Baltimore. Md, on January 1,
1898, John w. Petit was appointed an
auxinary clerk at 5000 per annum. He
neither performed duty nor drew pay
until July q, 1898, when his salary was
increased to $500 per annum; and from
tna1 date he drew pay regularly, but
performed no service whatever. On
September 80. 1899, his roster title was
changed to "boOkkeeper" and his salary
increased to $500. This salary was
paid him by the postmaster until SEN
TENDER 8, 1902 although he performed
no services.
The postmaster says he protested to
beavers against the appointment of
! Petit, stating that he was personally
distastefuf to him and that he would
not allow him in the Office. But at the
! same time he certified his name to the
auditor every quarter during the entire
period as a clerk rendering service
Petit was paid So 100 SO, for which he
performed no service whatever. In these
and all similar cases known the
amounts paid have been charged
against the postmasters who made such
certifcation.
The leasing of premises and furnish
ing OF light and fuel for first, second
and third class postoffices are under the
supervision Of the salary and allowance
division.
Formerly leases were made USUALLY
Tor a period Of five years, with pro-
V1so That the government might at any
time cancel the lease if the interests Of
the postal service required it. bv giving
three months notice. Sometimes it was
found necessary to omit the three
months clause in order to secure the
most desirable location, but these in
stances were rare.
In 1898 a law was enacted authoriz-
ing the department to make leases OF
period not exceeding ten years On
November following the enactment
of this law the first assistant postmas-
Ter general, in a letter intended as a
guide to inspectors when investigating
lease cases, stated:
While the department has authority to
execute a lease for a period of ten years
it is not deemed advisable to do so Unless
II can be demonstrated that a positive
thereby.
This policy, however. was not consist
emily carried out.
Canceling leases-At WeehaWken N
j., on July 1, 1900, lease was executed
for ten years, at $500 per annum, in
Guiding all equipment, heat, light, etc.
On July 1, 1902, eight years before the
lease expired, it was Cancelled and a
new lease entered into for the same
premises and the same equipment at an
annual rental of $500.
At Hastings, Neb., on May i. 1897, a
lease was made for postoffice premises
for period of five years. including
light, heat, vault and equipment, at an
annual rental of $500 per annum. In
March, 1901, the lessor was notified
that the lease would be Cancelled on
June 80, almost a year before it's ex-
piration. Shortly after this proposal
was accepted for another building no
more desirable, at rental of 81 800 per
annum. A most vigorous protest was
filed against this action of the depart
ment by those interested in the cancel
ed lease, and the matter was referred
to an inspector for investigation, who,
on April II, 1901, reported as follows:
Viewed from the standpoint usually as
sumed by the postoffice department in the
treatment of lease cases, and eliminating
all questions of personal interest, l am
unable to conceive what possible represen-
tatiOnS could have been made to the de-
pa pa ti i ~ tnlS case 70 result IN the en-
tertalnment and acceptance of the propo-
sItion of Mr.. Dietrich at the price named
800 per annum). The proposition is
exorbttant, and the location one that if
in competition with other propositions Of
fering central locations at two-thirds the
price asked could not conscientiously be
considered.
As result of this report the price for
the new site was reduced to 81 300 per
annum, with the proviso that the de-
partment should pay for moving and in
stating the equipment and provide heat
and light. The Office was moved at an
expense to the department of STAG.
AT Dunkirk, N. Y, five-year lease
was executed March 1. 1898 at $3.50 per
annum, including fixtures, with an addi-
tlonal allowance of $115 for light and
fuel making $565 in all On October Is,
1901, lease was executed for a room
fully equipped and furnished with light
and heat for $3.50 per annum for ten
years, the "three-months clause" being
eliminated. On January 81, 1902, about
three months from the date of execution
of this lease, it was Cancelled and an
other executed at a rental of 81, 500. And
on May II, four months afterwards, this
S1.0UU lease was cdnceleQ ana anOInSr
executed for ten years at $4,000 per an
mum, with the "three-months' clause"
eliminated No additional service was
provided for in any of the subsequent
leases that was not included in the Or
iginal lease.
1t will be observed that instead of US
ing this authority given by congress to
make long time lease to secure better
buildings for less money, it has been
used for the benefit of t'grafters'' who
seek to pillage the public revenues.
Increasing rental over amount of pro-
posal.-As a rule there is an active in
terest in every community in the loca-
ton of the postoffice, and numerous pro-
posals are submitted by the property
owners. After considering the reports