The Washington times., 1904-03-07

regulations which 1t makes the basis Of
increased allowances for clerk hirs- Re
gardIess of whether the various post
Offices met these tests increases appear
TO have beer made by Beavers upon the
request of members Of Congress This
Mr.. Bristow points out is a violation Of
postOface regulation rather than OF law.
There are also shown - fr. Bristow's
statement numerous instances where, as
he charges. long time lass - post
Office buildings have been Cancelled by
Beavers and the rents Increased at the
request of members Of Congress, in
many instances regardless Of whether
an examination. Inspection and report
by the departments agents warranted
the increase.
In respect to the leasing of buildings
Tor postal purposes by members Of Con-
greSs there have been direct VIOLATIONS
OF the revised statutes, although there
IS nothing In the statements OF Mr. BIS
tow which would involve moral turpl-
tude on the part of the three members
concerned who are Representative
James ". Wadsworth (Rep., \. y,
Representative J. d. Bowersock (ReP-
Kan-), and Representative George l.
lllley (Rep., Comm
Provisions of Law.
The revised statutes provide that:
shall directly or Indirectly himself. or
by any other person in trust for him.
or for his use or benefit. or on his ac-
count undertake execute. hold, or en-
5oy IN whole or In part. any contract OF
agreement made or entered into in be
half Of the United States by any officer
or person authorized 10 make contracts
on behalf Of the United States and
further, that "au contracts or agree
-rents made in violation of this section
shall be void"
yet in face Of this statute" says
BristoW in his letter Of January p, 1903
10 Chairman Beavers. Beavers has
made contracts with members OF Con-
gress for the rental OF premises. either
IN their own names, the names Of their
agents. or some member or their taml-
Hes. The cases referring 10 members or
Congress who are serving In the House
Of Representative are as follows:
Geneseo Case.
"Geneseo. y. Y.-The postofice at
This place was located in 1886 in a
building owned by the Hon. J. W Wads-
worth At that time Mr.. Wadswortn
was not a member OF Congress. 1t was
advanced from third to second class July
/ 1901 While it was a third class office
no contract was made for the lease
allowed 1920 per annum for rent. with
an allowance OF $50 for fuel aand light
making $3.50 IN all.
When the Office became second class
q lease was made. dating from Octo-
Der 1901 At this time Mr.. Wadsworth
was "a member Of Congress The builo-
ing was improved 10 comply with the
requirements Of the department FOR
second class office. the annual rental
FH-e NHnr 1frrnf
heat and light The proposal was made
b. W. L. r. Olmstead who IS said 70
Be- the agent Of Mr.. WadswOrrh. The
property stood in the latter's name Sep
TENDER q 1903. II does not appear from
the report Of the inspectors. and infOr-
nation secured by the department that
the rental IS excessive. or that the al
lowance is IN any way more than should
have been made.
At Lawrence, Kan.
Lawrence Kan.-The postofice prem
ises at this place were leased from
}. D. Bowersock. at an annual rental
OF 8, 800. That lease expired April J.
1900 On December 13. 1889. nfr Bower
sock submitted a proposal 10 renew the
lease for a term OF FIVE years az the
same annual rental After conference
with officials Of the First Assistant
Postmaster Generals office Mr.. Bower
BUN WAAA4AANF MS Ntblb2AL eADiAAAtAAlAe
one from his daughter Mrs Hortense
= Win. and the lease was executed In
her name on terms before mentioned.
The record shows the title 10 premises
IN question was vested in Mr.. Bower
sock. The annual rental Is the same that
II was for many years before Mr..
BOWersOck was elected 10 Congress and
the pOstOnice has been located where it
now 81 for about thirty years.
citation A. WinSted. Conn. 80 The