Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-17

lions Bayonne, N. J., as also involved, ana
says that while Otto F. Wells. the registry
clerk at New York, now dismissed, and an
intimate friend Of Beavers. says he col
lected from 5000 to $4,000 for the 'legis-
lative fund" for the clerks, WeiS bank ac-
count where these funds were deposited ag-
gregated $19, 1874, and Mr.. Bristow expresses
the opinion that this represents the amount
of Weis' collections.
Weis stated that he used about 5000 OF
this money for expenses, and that the bal
ance, $1,000 or $1,000. he paid to Benjamin
Parkhurst, IAN intimate friend of Beavers
and superintendent of a post Office station
In this city, but removed last April"
The report says that after inspectors be-
gan work at New York Parkhurst asked
numerous clerks there and at Jersey City
to say that the money was collected for
legislative purposes and not to secure pro-
motions.
These facts were submitted to the grand
jury here in May, but the district attorney
recommended against prosecution on the
ground of insufficient evidence, and further
effort toward criminal process against
Beavers and Weis in this case was dropped
when, on May 81 last, the statute of limi-
tatiOns operated in Beavers case.
The report cites clerk hire allowance OF
$500 a year ordered by Beavers at Lester
shire, N. Y, and Dysart, Iowa. though not
SO entitled the recommendations being
made by the members of Congress of those
districts.
Reference is made to letter of the post
master at Duquon. ILL.,, who in December,
1901, wrote Senator Mason a request to Sc
cure $500 year for clerk hire, promising
that If he should do so he would devote his
time to the Senator's campaign for re-elec-
ton
The Senator referred the letter, without
comment, to Beavers and the allowance
was not made; but later a member of Con-
gress made the same recommendation and
1t was complied with without further in
Quiry.
Appointed on Beavers Order.
The report names a number Of instances
where clerks were appointed on order of
Beavers. against the wishes of the post
masters. These clerks performed but mea-
ger services.
Minerva Jeffrey, the report continues, was
a $500 clerk at Fredonia, N. Y, for the first
five months in 1899, though she did no work
there. The postmaster never saw her, he
says, and her payments were sent by check
to Washington and deposited in Beavers
personal bank account. She was afterward
transferred to Burlington, VT, and New
York, and rendered service.
The report cites increased amounts for
leases of post offices against the recon-
mendationS of inspectors, and quotes sec
ton 3739 of the Revised Statutes, inhibit
ing contracts with congressman, and says
that Beavers nevertheless made contracts
with members of Congress for the rental of
premises, either in their own names, the
names of their agents some member Of
their family. Mr.. Bristow says:
"A careful investigation, however, does
not show that the government has been
defrauded by the payment of excessive rem
tails to members of Congress either direct
ly or Indirectly. 1 recommend, however,
that all leases where member of Congress
is party be Cancelled and leases executed
in conformity with the statutes.
There is no evidence to indicate that
Beavers reckless and highhanded proceed
ings in the matter of leases was the result
of any general scheme of corruption or
blackmafl on his part. His purpose seems
to have been to place members Of Congress
and influential politicians under personal
obligation to him."
Another Rap at Castle.
At Manhattan, Kan, the report says on
the recommendation of Representative w.
A. Calderhead, a rental allowance for the
post office was increased by $3.50 per annum
although no additional service was per-
formed and despite an existing lease for
ten years at the original figure. Mr.. Bris-
tow says he does not offer any criticism
against the congressman.
All the postmasters who gave testimo-
malls for the Elliott & Hatch book type
writer's, for implication in the sale Of which
W. Scott Towers, postal superintendent
here, was removed, have been called on
for an explanation.
A letter from Auditor Castle of the Post
ONCE Department recommending the ma
chine is printed with the statement that his
letter was used in the advertising literature
OF the company, while the protest of his
clerks against the machine quietly slept in
the files in the office of the first assistant
postmaster general. The machines were
finally barred by First Assistant Postmaster
General Johnson.
B. The report says that the case of a ssistant
District Attorney E. E. Baldwin at New
York, charged with knowledge of a fraud
against the government and with insulting
~ refusing information to inspectors. has
been laid before the Attorney General and
that the case of his father, Judge George e.
Baldwin, consul at Nuremberg, whom Mr..
Bristow says probably knows as much
ABOUT the fraud as anybody is referred
to the Secretary of State.