The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-18
INQUISITORS GET
AFTER Mr.. BRISTOV
HeAbsoIves ConaressmenFro
Blame in the Postoffice
Cases.

WASHINGTON, d. c., March IL
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow, in testifying before the house
special committee on the postoffice re-
port, today, claimed for himself re-
sponsibility for only the first seven
pages Of the report which was sent to
the postoffice committee and said the
other portions of the document were
the work of other officials of the de-
partment.
The clerk-hire section, he said, was
prepared in the Office of the first as
sistant postmaster. general and that
part relating to leases by inspectors
and others in his own department.
Mr.. Bristow's testimony threw con-
siderable light on all phases of the in
quiry. He practically cleared mem
bers of congress from wrongdoing
touching the clerk-hire section of the
report, by stating that it was the duty
of the first assistants office to ascer-
tain the condition of the work in an
office where an increase had been rec
commended.
Mr.. Mccall asked whether the re-
port before the committee was not the
work of at least some of these same
inspectors who made up the original
cases which were afterwards made the
subject of Investigation.
This was the case." replied Mr..
BriStoW.
Squints at the President.
"Do you know whether or not this
report came directly from the hands
of the postmaster general, without go
ing into some one else's hands for in
spection or perusal before it was sent
to the postoffice committee of the
house ?" asked Mr.. Bartlett.
Il don't know. have been told, but
I have no knowledge of it," answered
Mr.. Bristow.
Have you ever had any conversa-
lead you to believe" asked Mr.. Bart
lett.
'T don't think you ought to ask
that" interrupted Mr.. Burton. ut was
not within the scope of our investiga-
tion'
Well" broke in Mr.. Bartlett. I'VE
cannot get the president here and. there
have been hints in the newspapers
about this"
Ought not we inquire into whose
hands it went?" asked Mr.. Richard
son (Ala.).
81 understood Gen. Bristow to say
he did not know. It would be only
hearsay evidence, declared Chairman
Mccall.
at is entirely within the scope of
our investigation" remarked Mr.. Bur-
ton.
"Do I understand the chairman to
suggest that I should not ask that
question:" inquired Mr.. Bartlett.
Mr.. Mccall intimated that without
intending to restrain Mr.. Bartlett, he
fhOIlQht the question ShO11d he ponSid-
cred by the committee in executive
session.
An executive session was held, but
the point was not touched upon.
Rotten, Says Williams.
In the house today, Mr. Williams,
criticising the proposed increases in
salaries in the postoffice department,
said:
Remember this is a department
that is absolutely rotten from turret to
foundation stone"
Mr.. Payne On. y, the Republican
leader, asked: Where does the gen.
tleman get his information?"
81 get it from their own Office" said
Mr.. Williams.
Then you don't get 1t at ALL" hotly
retorted Mr.. Payne.
"I do" warmly replied Mr. Williams,
"and I get it from their charges against
themselves and I get it from the charge
contained in the presidents message,
and I get 1t from the knowledge that
prevails in this house."
He said that only one division of the
postoffice department had been inves-
tigated. 'I believe and I believe the
gentleman from New York believes