The Washington times., 1903-11-30
DIVISION OF SALARIES,
AND ALL0WAN CES

IN August. 1887. George W. Beavers
was appointed chief of the salary and
allowance division Beavers methods
have been reckless and without rule or
regularity. Increases Of allowances for
clerk hire in postohices were made as
matters OF favor regardless Of the ne
cessities OF the service. Promotions were
frequently made without consideration
of the merits Of the clerk promoted.
Longtime leases for postohice premises
were cancelled and the rent increased
upon the recommendation of prominent
political leaders, sometimes without re-
gard to the rental value OF the premises.
sale Of promotions.-Otto +. Weis a
clerk in the New York postofnce and an
intimate friend of Beavers, an officer OF
The Postofflce Clerks Association. ac-
cording TO his own story, collected from
$ 600 10 $4,000 from clerks upon the pre-
tense that it was TO be used in securing
favorable legislation.
Many Of the clerks in the New York
and Jersey City postoflces stated under
oath that they had contributed TO Weis'
legislative fund under the promise of
promotion. Frank c. Hay. a clerk in
The Jersey City postofce. states that
NVeis told him that this money was TO
expenses for collecting
Clerk Hire.
The appropriations for clerk hire are
made under two heads For cOmpensa-
ton Of clerks in first and second class
postOficcs. and For separating mails
at third and fourth class postofices.
The amount allowed TO third and
fourth class Offices is based upon the
number of pieces Of mail handled IN
transit. This appropriation. avers ging
over million dollars annually has been
distributed by Beavers largely by per
sonal favor. If Senator. member of
Congress. or any prominent politician
whom Beavers was anxious TO please
requested an increase in the clerk hire
allowed a postmaster, Beavers would
comply. regardless OF the merits Of the
case. To illustrate:
The postmaster at Duquoin. H.. IN
December, 1901, asked for an allowance
for clerk hire The postmaster was di-
rected to keep a count Of the transit
mail handled. which he failed 10 do: but
submitted q statement showing the To-
cal work Of the Office. He was informed
that 10 clerk hire could be allowed UNI
der the law for local work In March
1902, the member OF Congress recon-
nnended that an allowance Of $500 per
snnum be given that Office, and the re-
quest was complied with The amount
was afierward increased TO 500 pei. an
mum. Under the rules of the depart
ment on the basis OF a count made en-
August 1903. the Office was entitled un-
der the law 10 $50.
John W. Langley, appointment clerk
Of the Census Office, on December 6.
1900. requested IN increase in the allow
ance for clerk hire at PrestOnburg. Ky,
the postmaster being his sister A count
was ordered. and the report showed the
offce entitled 10 $50 per annum. but an
allowance Of $500 was made. which AFT
eTward ~ Langley's request, was in
creased TO 500
A Georgia Case.
-In May, 1900 the member Of Con-
gress recommended an Increase IN the
allowance at Conyers. Ga. which was
then so a year. A count WIS ordered.
and the report showed the Office entitled
70 $l60 per annum; only 800 however,
was allowed. Afterward the Congress
man called ON Beavers personally, and
the allowance was increased 20 $50.
This Increase OF $40 was paid to "a clerk
recommended by the Congressman. On
July J. 1902. this clerk was transferred
10 another Office. and the allowance
was then reduced % 500 per annuln.
plainly Indicating that the $40 increase
"a the allowance was made 10 give "a