The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-29
POSTAL SCANDAL GROWING
George W. Beavers Charged with Accepting Commits.
siOns on Supplies Purchased by Him.

confronted with the fact that Machen had
acted under a law permitting the depart
ment to make purchases in the open mar
ket. when exigencies arise or when it
desired to purchase patented articles. The
remarkable perseverance of the inspectors
is shown in the fact that this did not de-
ter them from continuing their inquiry
How the evidence was obtained on which
the case against Machen and the Golf
brothers is based. the officers refuse to ex-
plain. This point of the story will be re-
served for presentation to the courts. 1t Is
said to be documentary and in the form
of checks bearing Machen's signature and
drawn on a Philadelphia bank.
The possibilities of graft in connec-
ton with open market purchases were illus
trated to-day by the postmaster general.
1t appears that a miscellaneous fund is
available for use in emergency, and from
1t Is taken the money for open market pur-
chases. In this connection the postmaster
general mentioned the new mail boxes.
These boxes, he said, were painted with
patented paint, in which there is no compe-
tition. This paint" he said, was very
good; II stood the weather and was decided
ly more artistic than the green paint
formerly used. Then there was the pur-
chase of satchels, straps and badges for
the rural and city carriers. These latter
articles purchased out of the miscel-
laneous fund, the same that the boxes and
fasteners were purchased from and which
for the next fiscal year 100000 has been
appropriated" The postmaster general in
dicated that the contracts under which all
of the supplies are furnished to the de-
partment are being inquired into and he
expressed the belief. with the sample of
the box fasteners before him, that If there
was anything irregular" in addition it
would be checked up and the responsibility
placed.
WILL RECOMMEND CHANGES.
1t is the intention of the postmaster gen.
eral to make such recommendations to Con-
| gress as will insure more rigid laws relative
| much discretion has been given to the bu-
reau officers in the past. What form his
recommendations to Congress will take it
is impossible to say at this time. The post
| master general has authority to introduce
| reforms without congressional enactment,
and he will go as far as his authority per-
mits him, but specific law on the subject is
needed. 1t is likely a board will be created
plies in addition to ascertaining the reason
| abieness of the price demanded The post
master general will not be in a position to
speak definitely on this subject until Mr..
Bristow. the fourth assistant. concludes his
work.
The disclosures of the Postoffice Depart
ment and the prosecutions to follow will
undoubtedly have salutary effect upon the
whole public service. For three or four
years there have been various rumors and
reports alleging corruption among many Of
| the postal officials in Washington. Inves-
| legations have been made time and again,
| particularly into the administration of Au-
| gust Machen, but none Of them has ap-
| preached in magnitude or thoroughness the
| one now being conducted. Inquiries have
been started to ascertain the methods in
use with special reference to the expendi-
| ture. of money and the purchase of supplies.
Every transaction in the Treasury. Depart
ment, it is reported, is now being scruti-
nized with great care, and the same condi-
| ton of affairs holds true of the other
branches of the government. There Is a
strong probability that the reorganizat ton
of the Postoffice Department a modern
business basis will be followed by like
| course in every department and bureau of
the government JOHN E. MONK.