New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-06
Mr.. VAN COLT EXAMINED
CALLED BY INSPECTORS.
Asked by Major Little About Pro
motion Syndicate IN POSt0fce.

~
For over three hours yesterday Postmaster
Van Colt was before the Postofice inspectors
who since November 1 have been conducting an
investigation of the New-York Postofice or
dered by the Postmaster General The message
which was sent to Mr. Van Colt soon after
luncheon, while not unexpected, rather sur
prised the postmaster and his assistants, as it
had been generally understood that Major Little,
the chief in charge of the investigation. was
engaged in Brooklyn with the United States
District Attorney, who was preparing the gov
ernments case against ex-Congressman DrlSSs'
indicted for alleged connection with the postal
frauds.
The message said that the inspectors desired
TO see the postmaster at o'clock, and at that
hour Mr.. Van Colt put on his overcoat and, re-
marking jocularly to his secretary that he was
going to call on some members of his Sunday
school class. crossed the street 10 the Astor
House. The postmaster met by Major Lit
tie, who took him TO Room Sc, the Barclay
ST. side Of the hotel. In the room, which Is
really one OF the living rooms OF Inspector
Holmes. of Cincinnati, the postmaster found In
spectors Holmes. Snow, Farrell. Thomas and
Pendleton
Major Little explained that IN conformity with
the regulations the postmaster would be sworn,
and the oath administered by Inspector
Holmes. Inc postmaster seated nlllSell at d
large round table in the centre Of the room. A
stenogra pher took a. report of the postmaster's
testimony The examination was ended just be-
fore 3 o'clock, and Mr.. Van Colt at once hur-
ried to the Office of the Great Eastern Insurance
Company, in Lberty-st, Of which corporation
he is president. He remained there until after
6 o'clock, and then, after dining downtown with
his secretary Thomas GoodisOn. went 10 the
home Of his son, Richard Van Cott at NO. 100
West Eighty third-st., also his home, reaching
there at 8 o'clock Half an hour later 1t was
said that he had retired and was asleep
Before going there the postmaster admitted
that he had been examined, but refused 10 state
the nature of the questions asked MN.
Major Little was not at the Astor House last
evening having gone to Brooklyn, 1t was stated
tn consult with United States District Attorney
Youngs in relation to the briggs case. inspector
Holmes and the other inspectors SAID II "ou'u
be Impossible for them 10 discuss the eAaiiii'a-
ton further than 10 admit that the postmaster
had been before them 1t IS understood now
ever that the examination OF the postmaster
had not been ended, and that II is 10 be resumed
later at which time Mr. Van Cott expects 10
submit some data and memoranda which the
inspectors asked for.
FROM an outside source 1t Is understood that
the Postmaster Was first asked about his duties
detail enumerating exactly what portion OF the
executive management he personally attended
TO- and what portion left 10 me Assistant
Postmaster EDWARD NJ. Morgan Mr. Van Colt.
il is said went carefully into the administration
OF the citys postal affairs. detailing at cohsId-
cradle length the duties of all or the various
superintendents, including those OF MS son!
Richard Van Cott the superintendent OF deIlv-
cry Mr.. Van Cott said that he spent from ten
to fifteen hours daily at the Postoi!ce and that
he had been there daily and on Sundays and
holidays throughout his entire term. unless pre-
vented by illness. ana that his only vacations
had been two or three uIps out OF town for
TWO or three days at a time He had never taken
the full months annual vacation allowed him.
| ASKED ABOUT PROMOTION SYNDICATE.
Major Little next asked the Postmaster about
the existence of the so-called promotion eyndi-
cate" and the Postmaster said, 1t Is declared
that he knew nothing about the existence OF
such a syndicate. and that while he would not
say it did exist. yet he doubted II. lie knew
THAI one or probably both OF the organizations
of clerks had collected monthly dues. ana that
one OF them had u sick benefit fund. and that
according to rumor a fund had been raised to
send some one TO Washington in the interest OF
several measures then before Congress for the
beneiit OF postal clerks, but this, he explained
was prior 20 the Presidents order that the clerk
! must not attempt to get benefits except through
! the recommendations OF the Postmaster Cen
| eral. He had never known OF money being
| raised after the issuance Of that order.
According to the same information. the Post
! master was also asked about the rentals and
! leases Of the branch stations which lie explained
| We're made by the Washington officials. who
| usually, after he had looked over the field,
! recommended a location. The Washington Of
! fCals had the right to Ignore his recommends
| tons and take any site they deemed best
He denied that politics had anything whatever
! to do with the selections OF locations. and add
Ell that II exception for any landlord.
/ after having had a branch station for a tenant
/ once, to make a second. or new bid on other
property he might happen to own in a neigh
! borhOod where new branch was to be sit
! uated.
Mr.. Van Colt was also asked about the pay
! ment of money TO various persons on the orders
| Of George w. Beavers formerly head OF the
| salaries and allowances division in Washington.
| He explained that in several instances Of which
! he happened to have personal knowledge the
! order to pay the money had been made by Mr..
| Beavers. and that he, as postmaster. had no
! alternative but to obey instructions OF the su-
perior official in Washington.
! In regard to several cases cited, he would
! have to the auditor and cashier before he
| could answer them. he had personal
| knowledge of the transactions.
He denied that any man was advanced or re-
! ceived an increase, so far as he knew, for po-
/ litical reasons.
! HOT FIGHT FOR M'COMAS'S PLACE.