Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-18
POSTOfFICE CASES.
Hearing Before House Com
mittee on Special Report.
Assistant Bristow Claims Authorship
for Only a Part.
Testimony Practically Clears Con
qressmen from Wrongdoing.

,.stifying before the House special
committee on the post Office report, to-
day. claimed for himself responsibility
for the first seven pages of the report
which was sent to the post Office COM
mittee, and said the other portions of
the document were the work of other
officials of the department.
The clerk hire section, he said, was
urepared in the office of the first as
gistant postmaster general, and that
mart relating to leases by inspectors
and others in his own department.
Mr. RristoW's testimony threw con-
siderable. light on all phases of the in
nuirv He practically cleared members
of Congress from wrOngdOing touching
the clerk hire section If the report by.
stating that it was the duty of the
first assistants office to ascertain the
condition of the work in an Office where
an increase had been recommended.
Washington, March 17.-Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General BristOw
Was before the post office investigating
committee, today. The committee was
in executive session during the time
General Brstow was present.
Mr. BristOw was asked particularly
rs to how the committee was to get
p0ssrsSiOn of certain confidential eX-
hbits connected with his report on the
post office Investigations. These ex-
hibits have been secret because of their
barring on pending prosecutions. They
were used in making up the reports
touching members that was submitted
to the House.
Mr.. BfistOw told the committee that
the reports would be submitted to it
for careful inspection.
The night of Jan. o.. Mr.. Bristow
said, he was taken sick with the grip
and had been unable to be i'm his office
until last Monday. March IA.
II had nothing further personally to
do with the matter" continued Mr..
BristOw. Il am informed that the
postmaster general asked that The
office of the fourth assistant postna :
ter general prepare the information
asked tor and that it was prepared by
inspectors and turned over to the post
master general by the chief Inspector
As to clerk hire, he said his informa-
ton was that the information was pre-
postmaster general.
Have you since investigated this
list of names?"
mo. / have not, at least not until
today at noon" answered Mr.. Bristow
Il was f. formed that i'm making it up
there might :, have, bean omissions.
q haven't any cases in mind, but l could
= investigate Of course"
= In regard to the secret method used
d. by the department to ascertain the
amount of clerk hire to which an office
was entitled. Mr.. Bristow said he had
asked First Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Wynne about this, today. and Mr.
Wynne had said that the method was
not made known to the public, but if
member of Congress made inquiry
ne was shown the method. =.
Taking up the question of leases, Mr.
Mccall asked explanations of the ca Sc
relating to Manhattan, Kan, in con-
nection with which Representatitc
'aidtrheadS name was mentioned
Mr.. Mccall asked If the increase
amount secured was not for furniture
Furniture was provided for in tn,
original lease" was the answer
Mr. Mccall asked If there was any
additional information to be had con-
corning the case at Geneseo. n. Y
WIN winch Representative WauS-
W"rths name was mentioned.
There was substantially none, wa.
the answer.
AS 10 the Lawrence. Kan, case, in.
I N"iVing Representative Bowersock'
name. 1t developed that there had bee:
reduction in the rent of this offic.
Il some time prior to Mr.. Bowersock'
election to Congress. There was n,
additional information regarding tn
Wihsted, Conn. case. involving tn,
name of Representative Lilley.
4 The Tuskogpe. Ala. case involving tn
name of Representative Thompson wa
( inquired about. hut Mr. Bristow said h
d'd not personally know the details O
1 this case
In answer to Chairman Mccall and Req
nSehtatire McDermott. Mr.. Rristow san
he knew of none other than these fou
Eases IN which the statute might hav
been violated
That is. he continued. no other case
touching members of the present Cor
ErpSS
Mr. McDermott asked specifically as t
IN" duties of the fourth assistant post
case of Erie. Kansas. in which ii appea l
NJ. RriStow secured increased clerk hin
which was afterward ascertained not jus
Mr. Bristow said he referred the matte
10 First Assistant Postmaster Geners
Heath with the understanding that
would be investigated and allowed
warranted.
=, Why did YOU not make this mvestig;
ttan yuurSelf2''
Because it was not a part of my d,
ties
Asked IL he could not have detailed n
Inspector of such q case he replied tn;
this would not have been in accordan,
with the courtesy and practice of Il
Office.
Mr. McDermott asked line of que
tionS to develop the responsibility for in
proper clerk hire Allowances in fourtl
class offices.
Mr. Bristow said he was not the Gust
dian OF fourth-class offices as to inspe
tnn or allowances.
DO YOU mean that it was no conce
Of yours officially?'
Well. it depends upon what You mes
by concern"
The first open session of the commit
was to begin at o'clock. but the pr
ceedings were delayed three-QuarterS
an hour for General Bristow. who W
late. Every member of the commit
was present.
Mr. Bristow stated that he had be
fourth assistant postmaster general
MAN, IL. N.r-