The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-14

while no excess is charged to have been
made in this clerk hire payment, the re-
port expresses doubt whether an excess
was really granted. One case was recon-
mended by General BristOw himself for a
pOstoffice in his home State of Kansas.
1t appears that the postmaster wrote Mr..
Bristow claiming increased clerk hire.
Eristow sent the letter TO the salary and
allowance division with request that the
case be considered and Bristow added
that che would be very glad if the post
master could be given the allowance re-
quested by him." The chief of the salary
and allowance division wrote Mr.. Bris-
tow that lit has been decided, in view of
your wishes and the figures submitted by
the postmaster, to increase the allowance
for clerk hire at Erie Kan, from $40 to-
$3.50. Ii is now shown by the department.
cess of the departmental regulations by
s130.
Out of this kind of information furnished
by the department report, dumped on Con-
gress and the country by the post
Office c0mmitte. wholly undigested and I'M
explained and with the simple statement
tnat no wrong had been done, and recon-
mendlng that the whole matter be laid on
the table. the furore was raised. 1t is not
surprising IN view of the facts, that the
members of Congress whose names are in
Guided in the report although not even the
slightest evidence of wrong-dong could be
imputed to them, should be incensed
Another illustration will show how IL is
that even up to the present day such diff
ficulties are experienced by representative
and the pOstmasters in the different States.
1t Is true that too much is expected of MEM
bers in the matter of errand running in the
various departments here 1t would seem
that in many cases the department might
arrange to transact its business without
the intercession of the members. A case
IN point might be given. Within ten days
an Indiana member received d letter from
the postmaster in his district SAYING that
on account OF the large amount OF mail
separation at his office ne should have
some allowance for additional clerk hire
The member took the letter and went TO
the salary and allowance division of the
Postoffice Department. The case was called
up and examined by the successor TO
Beavers.
Yes" said the official, 1.-THE postmaster
at that place is entitled. on the records TO
$40 additional clerk hire for mail separa-
ton
Then. l would like to ask" said the
member, ''why it is that the postmaster
has not been allowed this clerk hire without
my being obliged TO call and see about il d?
Why Is II that your system does not work
without anybody being Obliged to call and
see about il
But the official could not answer the
question. He was doing things according 10
the established routine of the Office.
The fact is. possibly. that the difficulty
arises from too many different bureaus and
| divisions having charge of intricate prob
lens which might. perhaps. be better man.
aged under one head. The salary and al
lowance division is under the first assistant
whereas the star route system Is under the
second assistant. Whether there is any
thing in this point or not. IL would seem
| that something might be done 10 decrease
the draft upon legislators i'm the matter
of running To the departments. or writing
| letters on behalf OF regular officials i'm the
postal or other bureaus of the government
service j. T. NJ