The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-18

il as another manifestation or the rela-
tions existing tefween Mr.. Perry ,. Heath
and Mr.. Bristoy.
Continuing, tie statement says: "Resi-
dents of Washington remember well re-
ceiving few years since an official letter
from the postmaster at Washington rec
ommending and seemingly requiring the
purchase of an expensive house-to-house
collection and delivery mail box, 10 be at
tached to their front doors. Many persons
bought these boxes. This box was the
property of individuals or an indivlouai
company. IT was always supposed Ihal
certain department officials took more ludii
a passing interest In 1t, in connection with
certain other prominent personages IL
was well-known regulation OF the depart,
the postmaster or any employe inform any
one with regard to the address or RESIDENCE
or any person or resident OF the CITY. ies
the agents Of this box, on the REFUSAL OF
brought an order from the office OF the nrst
assistant postmaster general directing the
books to these agents. The postmaster IN
enectually protested against this unautnor-
lied use Of his name.
AN INDIANA CASE.
On the question of favoritism in appoint
ments he says:
''Oliver III. Smith, of Muncie, Ind. was
an intimate friend and associate OF Ferry
;. Heath. The latter, on Nov. 20 1891, Wrote
as follows to the Washington postmaster:
have this day allowed you SOU per
annum to provide for the appointment OF
Oliver II. Smith as a laborer at the seVeral
stations connected with your office. MI
Smith will act in dual capacity, serving
both clerks and carriers. The free delivery
division will also make an allowance OF
s. per day to cover car fares and incidental
expenses for Mr.. Smith, who is. believe,
10 report to you on the morning or the zlst.
rms Is the gentleman whose appointment
has been frequently recommended by YOU
MIR. Heath used the expression at your
request or in connection with your recon-
noinfs1s on CONNECTION S M1 the post
master was entirely ignorant and LOT
whose services, if he received them at all,
he had no use or need. On Dec. 10, 1871
+" Mr.. Oliver II. Smith has been detailed
TO assist in repairing. painting and erecting
street letter boxes. He will be paid through
your office at the rate or 81 per DAY Ior
every working day, commencing Nov. 70.
Thus, he is appointed laborer and paid
from the allowance for clerk hire, fund
under the salary and allowance division;
in the second he is paid a per diem me-
chanic from the allowance for repairing
street letter boxes, fund under the Tree
delivery service, and audited by dinerent
clerks in the Treasury Department. a
person faithfully performing the duties or
the one would be unable to devote full time
to the other, Mr.. Smith did very little OF
either. During the summer OF 1888 Mr..
Smith was in service at Camp Ager, Va,
In connection with the military postal
service.
ONE Law IGNORED.
Mr.. Tulloch~ says that the classification
act of March g. 1899, was ignored by First
Assistant Postmaster General Heath, and
thal sundry persons. designated finance
clerks, auditors, etc., were paid Illegally
from 500 to $500 each per annum over their
lawful salaries. With only one or two ex-
ceptions the appointments as cleaners, char
women, laborers, etc, he says, were eva
"a nd ha
did not perform the duties implied in their
official designations, often no service what
ever. transfers were made by the first as
sistant postmaster general from outside Of
| ficers without any request or demand to
| the local postmaster.
Mr.. Tulloch says the emergency measures
| 10 provide mail facilities during the Span
| ish war presented great opportunities for
| favoritism and irregularities. He says that
j. w. Whitney, said to be father-in-law of
| Harrison j. Barrett, late law clerk for the
Postoffice Department. was appointed post
master of one of the principal cities of
| Porto Rico. When it Is stated, ''he was
| called down sharply by the Washington
| office with reference 70 irregularities in his
money order account; he wrote back: Per-
| haps If you knew who my influence is you
would not write to me in such a manner.
| His postal account became confused and
| full Of errors 1 refused to pay his salary,
in order to make good as far as possible.
| He surprised me one day by calling and
demanding his back pay. This was refused
until his account had been audited. He
replied: Very well, at your convenience;
have been appointed to $1.400 position in
| the Land Office
Eat the time Of my removal most of the
offices in Porto Rico Were in arrears, some
| of them for a considerable amount, and
the accounts were very much confused
| The records of the department should show
| whether these balances were collected In
| full or not, and, If not, may ii not be asked
why the department did not proceed against
| the parties in arrears upon their bonds
| paid for, contrary to the custom, by the
government itself, by order OF the first
| assistant.
Much has been said by ex-Postmaster
| General Smith, ex-First Assistant Postmas-
| ter General Perry s. Heath and Controller
| Tracewel, in public interviews, about the
exigencies of the military postal service
| But did these exigencies require the per-
| sonal investigation of so many Indiana
| Ohio and other politicians and friends OF
tho off1cials2 Free trips to Porto Rico
| Cuba and return became the fashion. AL
| expenses were paid from the time Of leav-
| ing home, Pullman, hotel, ETC., then g
| pleasant voyage on transport, a trir
penses 10 Washington and hotel bills there
while friends and officials were informed oil
| their observations; then Pullmans and pas
sage home.
SALARIES RUN OVER.
This was pretty good thing In itself
but the generous Office of the first assist
ant not only paid all expenses but a goot
salary as well, during the period of investi
cation, the salary sometimes lasting fol
weeks and months after the return of the
recipient, while no possible service was be.
ing rendered. All this was charged to tn,
military postal service, fund to be uset
for those accompanying the armies In the
| field"
Mr.. rulloch cites alleged instances o.
this form Of abuse. and then alludes to tn,
inpection of the accounts of the Washing
ton postofice late in April, 1898, by T W
| Gilmer. an expert accountant OF the con
troller of the treasury, following which in
| spection the controller disallowed between
$4,000 to $4,000 for the quarter ended OF
Sept. 80. 1898. The receipt of the letter wa.
| Immediately acknowledged and certain &C
ton requested was taken. The postmaste
was out Of the city, but on his return, be
ing told Of the action in his absence, wa.
very much worried, and said he had stric
orders from General Heath to bring all pa
pers received from the controller immedi
ately to him and that his Office would die
tate all replies.
The action had come sooner than ex
pected," says Mr.. Tulloeh. Answers I,
certain norff0ns NJ ha late of ~.