Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-09
POSTOFFICES.
Something About Investigation Now GOinI On.
Special to Democrat.)

VCpeCldl IO DolIOcTaC.)
 Washington, March 9.-The ques- ton most often heard on the floor of the house at present is Are you on the roll of honor?" The members refer to the report of the fourth as- sistant postmaster general. showing the members who have asked or re- commended certain changes in leases of postoffices or in clerk hire at the various postoffices. This report in- cludes almost every member of con sress. except those that have lately entered the house. It does not ac- cuse any member of congress of hav- ing done anything criminal. but the report is decidedly misleading for all that 1t is supposed down here that members of congress are elected to aid their constituents. and to recom- mend certain beneficial changes that affect their districts. This is all that has been done by any member of the house mentioned in the report, and it, is hardly probable that any of these mentioned will change their ideas of how to serve their districts, in spite of the report of the postof- flee department.
 Perhaps one of tbe most unjust in slnuatIonS is the one against Con- @ressman Lilley, Of Connecticut. It seems, according to this report, that MT Lilley owns the building which is occupied by the postoffice at Torring- ton, and also the building where Sta tion A of Winsted is. It, seems Mir Lilley rented the premises at Torring ton eight years ago to the depart ment at a yearly rental of S1,OOO, with the understanding that he was to fix it up ill the usual way. The postmaster was authorized by MT Lilley to secure the necessary equip ments, and he was given to under stand the best would be none too good. The office was fixed up in the most modern way. and as matter of fact the rent received by Mir Llley during the past eight years has not paid for the amount of money spent on equipping the office. When MT Lilley was elected to congress, he found out that the law forbids any member of congress from having con- tracts with the government Twenty four hours after he learned this, he came to Washington and stated his case to the department. An investi- gation was made and the opinion of the attorney general was invoked. It was agreed by the department officials that there was no violation of the slaw in this case. and the general su perintendent of the salary and allow ance division states that since the contract was executed before MT Lil- ley was elected to congress mo action should be taken in regard to cancel ing this lease.'
 When the department desired to lease room1for Station A at Winsted, Mir Lilley informed the agent that he could not lease it to the government The inspector of the department, however. after due investigation re- ported that. he could find no other suitable place for the station, and suggested that MT I.illey could lease the premises to a third party, who could then lease it to the government. When MT Lillay acquired this prop erty the office gwIs in the block. and MT Lilley then rented the premises to Charles s. Newcomb. who ill turn leased it to the department Mir Bristow, in his report, concludes as follows in relation to these cases: s: Tn none Of the above cases does it appear that the government has paid an excessive rental. I referred to these cases in my report, not because there was any fraud indicated in the business transactions, but solely be- cause such contracts appear to be in violation of the statute.'
 The report also mentions at some length the case of the Norwalk post office. where the office was changed from it's old location to the Norwalk club rooms. This was recommended by Mir Hill. because the old quarters could not be secured. the old lessor having refused a renewal of the lease. The Norwalk club agreed to fit up their rooms for the postoffice and the offer was accepted by the de- partment at a rental of $9OO per year. The report on this case winds up by the statement that "Investiga- tion by Inspectors Pendleton and Birdseye. reported on the 10th of Oc- tober. 1905 discloses the fact that Congressman Hill owns 20 shares in the Norwalk Club company, this be- ing one twenty ninth of the total stock
 The other lease case mentioned is the New Britain one, where a propo- sition to move the office was made and recommended by Congressman Henry. The matter was, however. adjusted by building an addition to Z the present office, and the rent paid by the government was increased from $1,2OO per year to $2,1O0.
 In all these cases it is apparent from the report itself that the Connecticut members in no way benefited them selves by these changes. They simply in each case recommended them for the good of the service and because the new locations were superior to the old, or because a change was found necessary. The cases. were all inves- tigated by the inspectors Of the depart ment, and their reports prevailed in each case. There is no charge made ill the report that political influence was brought to bear by the members upon the department and if there is any blame attaching to these transac- tions, there is nothing to show such a state of affairs in the report The object of the entire report seems to be solely to publish the names of the members who have recommended any thing at all. no matter how proper it