The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-22
Chief Inspector ReSpOn-
sible for Preparation
Of List.
SEVEN HUNDRED CASES
First Assistant Wynne Tells
Why Names Were Not
Included.

Chief Inspector Cochran is the man
wrC authorized the preparation of the
much discussed list of postofilces where
allowances were made by Beavers for
clerk hire and separating purposes upon
the recommendation of Congressman
anC others
This is the information which the Nc
Can investigating committee, nquiring
into the so-called Bristow charges
concerning members" obtained today
from Charles NJ. Waters, successor TO
Beavers in lhe division of salaries and
allowances OF the Postofhce Depart
ment-
Seeret Out at Last.
Members of the House have sought to
know the author of this list ever since
thc publication Of the report" Today
Nr Waters informed the committee
that it had been prepared by clerks IN
Ihe office at the request of Inspector
Cochran. This, however, was before
Chairman Overstreet. of the Postoffice
Committee Of the House. called for the
Information.
Detailing the circumstances OF the
prcIaration of the list. Mr.. Waters said
that in November. 1903, he had been
called into Mr.. Cochrans office and
asked TO get up such list Mr.. Waters
saiC it would be a laboriOus task, as
lie records were vOluminous, and there
Were many such recommendation.
"Do you think there are "a hundred
such cases2" asked Mr. Cochran. Mr..
waters informed him that lie thought
there were. and ne was directed 10 pre-
pare IL. lie did So in the hrieiest possi-
ble manner. including all up 10 NoNeH-
ber 10. when these allowances mad been
discontinued, which was in accorcdnce
with the Information which Nh. Cochran
requested.
About 700 Cases.
There were then found TO be about 200
OF such cases. although not all We're
recommended by congressman. Since
then about $50 cases. nOI all of Con-
gressmen. however. have been added.
He considered The list practically cor
rect.
Mr.. Waters was preceded upon the
witness stand By First Assistant Post
master General Wynne. He said the list
bad first been referred TO before the
POstonce Committee by Mr. Waters
during a hearing on the appropriation
bill Later Mr.. OVerstreet requested the
Postmaster General 10 send the list 70
the committee. Mr.. Payne referred the
matter TO Wynne. The latter said He
suggested TO the Postmaster General
that il was not tire proper thing 10 send
up such "a list containing the names "
members OF Congress. and mixing mem
with the names of such men as Beavers
and Macheu.
Thought It Unjust.
Representative Richarcson-Why did
you make that suggestion
Mr. Wynne-Because they We're the
a. names Of members of Congress who had
done nothing except their duty, and
thought il unjust 20 connect them with
such men as Beavers and Machen-
Continuing. Mr.. Wynne said Mr.
Payne had approved his suggestion and
the list was sent without the names
Later he was informed by Mr.. Payne
that the committee wanted more details
and complete Information. which was
prepared AMI extracts made OF the rec
Crds setting forth briefly the circum-
stances In each case Mr.. Payne asked
him 70 let him payne see the work as
IL progressed. and that ne would con-
suit with Chairman OVerstrcet and sec
Fl it was satisfactory. Accordingly the
Information was prepared as presented
IN the BristOW report.
in further explanation. Mr.. Wynne
said the original list wherein the names
OF mem mbers Of Congress are mentioned
was not prepared at the instance OF
Chairman ONerStreet, but was previous
IS IN the Office. II had been prepared
at the request OF Mr. BristOws s Office.
Later IL was developed by Mr. Waters
testimony that Chief Inspector Cochran
had given direction that the list be pre-
Concerning the elimination Of the
three months clause in leases abOuI
which much was made in the BrisLO.g
report Mr. Wynne said he had found
Il necessary sometimes in making con
tracts 20 strike out the clause in order
70 get more reasonable terms OF rental
Regarding the secret rule" for max
ing allowances for clerk hire and sonar
ating purposes Mr.. Wyuue said il was
made known to Congressman on appIl-
cation. but was not known 10 post
masters or the public In making rec
concentrations. Congressman did moi
know whether or not postofice was
entitled 70 allowances unless they had
applied for the secret rule and hao
made an investigation.
WEATHER REPORT.