Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-08
THE POSTAL FRAUDS
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Senator Simmons Wants a
Congressional Inquiry.
REPUBLICAN, ATTITUDE
SENATOR PLATT (CoNN.) DENIES
INVESTIGATION Is OPPOSED.
Senator Scott Speaks in Favor of
Darien Route for Canal-House
Passes Boil Weevu Bill.

Va.) offered a joint resolution providing Ior
an investigation of the Darien canal route
He made a brief speech In support of
proposition for sea-levei canal, stating
that such a waterway would be only thirty
miles in length. The route. never had been
carefully investigated by engineers, but he
felt sure that when 1t was thoroughly ex-
amined it would be found that 1t was
wholly practicable. He said that the tun-
mel, which a sea-leveI canal would require,
was not impossible in this day Of electric
ity and invention.
Mr.. Bacon interrupted to ask where the
proposed canal was to be located ''in view
of recent geographical changes in South
America"
cit is in the state of Panama" remarked
Mr.. Stewart, about 100 miles from Coiom-
bia.''
Mr.. Scott said that although he had al
ways believed in a sea-ievel waterway he
had hesitated to press the matter because
he might be accused of an effort to delay
and hinder the construction Of canal, but
such was not his purpose. He wanted a
canal but wanted the best one. He asked
that the committee on interoceanic canals
make an early report upon the resolution
he had presented.
The Scott resolution was referred to the
committee on interoceanic canals.
Mr.. Simmons on Postal Investigation.
The resolution for an investigation of the
Post Office Department was then taken UP.
Mr.. Simmons On. Co said 1t was clearly
the purpose of the republicans not to per-
nit any further inquiry into the frauds and
scandals of the department. He predicted
that when the resolutions came back from
the Senate committee they would be de-
feated by practically the unanimous vote
of the republicans.
1t was apparent he said, that no further
investigation would be permitted on the eve
of presidential election.
Speaking of the Brfstow inquiry Mr.. Sim
mons said the reports Of that inquiry show
ed 1t to be one directed solely into crimes
committed within the department., and that
the various bureaus were not subjected to
the general search for the disclosure of ir-
regularties not punishable as crimes. II
do not charge that every branch of the de-
partment is reeking with fraud said he.
but it will be difficult to convince the peo-
pie that such is not-the case. The investi-
CATION that has been had is merely of a
legal character" sre7
AIR Simmons made the point that the
frauds exposed by Mr.. Bristow in nearly
that government funds which had been
wasted should be recovered in a court of
law.
Mr. Tiliman said that number of years
ago he had asked that rural free delivery
boxes be supplied to farmers at cost, and
that he had submitted a sample box which
sold for 80 cents. This box, said Mr.. TILL
man, was furnished later at $1.25 and $50
each. He wanted to know whether any in
yeStfXatton OF this case had been made.
MIR. Simmons answered that the Bristow
reports exposed many such cases.
Mr. Simmons referred to former Assistant
Postmaster General Heath. and said that
there was every reason why an inquiry
should finding
connections were with the post Office
scandals. He did not say Perry Heath was
guilty, but IL he was not connected with the
frauds Ee was surrounded by the most curl
Gus set of circumstances that had ever been
known Mr.. Simmons also criticised former
Pcstmas ter General Smith because he did
not investigate the Tulloch charges. Speak
ing of Mr.. Tufloch's experience in the Post
Office Department Mr.. Simmons said
Who knows but what his dismissal was
for the purpose of intimidating other en-
ployes who might have had information
for the exposure of frauds?'
Mr.. Plat Replies.
When Mr.. Simmons concluded Mr. Platt
(Conn) said 1t had been charged by tho
democratic senator's in direct terms that If
an investigation Is not had 1t would be be-
cause the republicans objected to the inves-
tigation. He said that such was not the
case; that what the republicans had de-
was Inc post OiNCc COmmltlG0
should conduct an inquiry to determine
whether congressional investigation is
necessary.
Mr.. Plat criticised the democrats for
their failure to express one genuine hearty
word of praise for the President Postmas-
ter General and Fourth Assistant Postmas-
ter General BriStOw for the good work that
has been done. Mild disclaimers of any in
tention of charging these officials with dis
honesty had been made, he said, but that
was all. He said the only issue between
the two parties on the question of ordering
further investigation of the Post Office
department was whether the resolutions
should be sent to the post Office committee
to determine whether such an investigation
Is necessary.
Exception to the republican position
was taken by Mr.. Carmack. who said that
the democrats are not agreed to leave the
matter entirely to the committee on post
Offices and post roads.
I'VE admit" he said. that Mr.. Bristows
investigation was thorough so far as 1t
went. but we deny that 1t was elaborate or