The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06
INVESTIGATION URGED
BY MINORITY REPORT
Demand Made for Rigid Inquiry
Into Postofice Department
Affairs.
OPPOSED TO SUBSIDIES

WASHINGTON, March 5.-The report on
the postoffice appropriation BILL contain
ing a summary of the contents Of the
bill made public at the time of its compile
ton, was filed in the House to-day. The
report is accompanied by a statement of
the views of the minority signed by Rep
resentatives Moon, Griggs, Cowherd, Fin
ley and Kluttz Mr.. Moon also submitted
views of his own, condemning railway mail
subsidies and the provision in the bill for
the lease for fifty years of postoffice facil-
tiles of the New York Central Railway
in New York city.
In the minority report proper an investi-
cation of the Postofice Department is
urged. The conclusions of the Bristow in
vestigation are made part of the report
which is declared to be a disclosure ''of
startling corruption in the division inves-
tigated and a method of doing business
naturally conducting to fraud"
The report states that this investi-
cation was confined largely to one division
and it is impossible to say whether or not
the same corrupt methods obtain i'm other
divisions. The business intercourse between
the divisions make such condition posi-
bic. it says, and some system OF checks is
recommended so that fraud could not easily
be accomplished. The minority report con-
cludes this subject: 'In view of the in
teresting report mentioned and of the hear
ings and of the detailed proof furnished by
the department to the committee on i'm
proper conduct of postoffice officials and of
the charges against other divisions of the
department and the imperfect methods of
obtaining facts as to the conduct of af-
fairs in that office, ii would seem to be the
part OF wisdom that the House should pro-
coed to a full and complete investigation of
the Postoffice Department in all of its
branches for the betterment OF the service.
the prevention of frauds and the general
protection of the public interest Bad sys-
TENS and public plumber too often affict
the administration of public affairs. To their
eradication no one should object So far as
frauds committed and disclosed are con-
cerned their investigation for the most
part is now matter for the courts Of
justice to consider. We are concerned
alone in devising means to prevent the
repetition of similar frauds and ascertain
ing the extent of the weakness of our
postal system and providing an adequate
remedy against ii.
Impressed with the Justice of these
general views as applicable TO existing con-
ditions in the Postoffice Department they
are submitted for your consideration with
a recommendation that there be full and
complete investigation of the affairs of
the Postoffice Department. under the COM
mittee of Congress-
The report complains that through the
method of submitting estimates for appro-
priations the committeeman were nothing
more than clerks for the department in
supplying their demands. There was a
growing rivalry between the different
branches OF the department TO outstrip the
other in matter OF Importance, and this,
too, led 10 indefensible demands for more.
Demands for increase of salaries had be-
come a habit with the department which
the minority condemned.