The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-18
Receives Requisition.

tant Bristow, who requested the ap-
pointment of commission to investigate
the office of the first assistant postmaster
general. This was refused by Mr.. Smith,
who looked upon it as another manifes-
tation of the relations existing between
Mr.. Perry s. Heath and Mr.. Bristow."
Many Bought Boxes.
Continuing the statement he says
Residents of Washington remember
we'll receiving a few years since an Of
fetal letter from the postmaster at
Washington recommending and seemingly
requiring the purchase of an expensive
house, house collection and delivery
mail boxes to be attached to their front
doors. Many persons bought these boxes.
This box was the property of individuals
or an individual company. 1t was always
supposed that certain departmental Of
icials took more than a passing inter-
est In II, In connection with certain other
prominent personages. 1t was a we'll
known regulation of the department that
under no circumstances could the post
master or any empoye inform any one
with regard to the address OF residence
of any person or resident of the city. Yet
the agents of this box upon the refusal
OF the postmaster to furnish addresses,
brought an order from the office of first
turning over of the letter carriers route
books to these agents. The postmaster in
effectually protested against this unau-
thorization of his name"
Mr.. Tuloch then cites endorsements by
Mr. Beavers and Mr.. Maehen of the Eco
nomic Postal association as an invest
ment proposition.
Continuing, Mr. Tulloch says:
IA clerk in my office, Charles McWhor-
41.- f,,f1 aaI
mailing division, whose name he gave me
at the time, had told nim he had been
approached by another empioye rect ntly
transferred to the office. who had stated
that he had been authorized to pick out
seven men in the mating division for
promotion July /, 1899 pravioed those
promoted would divide with hlga officials
In the department"
Classification Act Ignored.
Mr.. Tulloch says that the classification
act of March e. 1889, was ignored by Firsr
Assistant Postmaster Heath, and that
sundry persons designated finance clerks
auditors, etc, were paid illegally from
500 to $500 each per month over their
lawful salaries. With only one or two
exceptions the appointments as clean
ers, chore women. laborers, etc, he says,
were eyasions of the civil service and the
parties did not perform the duties inn
piled In their official designations, often
no service whatever.
Mr.. Tulloch says the emergency meas
ures to provide mail facilities during the
Spanish war presented great opportunities
for favoritism and Irregularities. He
says that ]. w. Whitney, said to be the
father-in-law of Harrison j. Barrett, late
law clerk for the postofhce department,
was appointed postmaster of one Of the
principal cities of Porto Rico. When 1t
is stated he was called down sharply by
the Washington office with irregularity in
the money order account. he wrote back
perhaps II you knew who my influence
is, you would not write to me in such
manner"
His postal account became so confused
and full Of errors l refused to pay lis
salary, In order to MAKE good as far as
possible He surprised me cne day nv
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 a
$1400 position in the land office"
AT the time of my removal most OF
the offices in Porto Rico were In ar
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 II not. may
It be asked why this 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
(contInued on second p.osI