New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-19
POSTAL FRAUDS DEBATED
DIR. Hale Defends and Dir. German
CriticiSeS the administration.

Washington. Jan. 1S-The postofice inquiry reso-
lutions and the Panama Canal question divided the
attention of the Senate in its open session to-day
Considerab BILE time given &c the inquiry, sen
ators Hale and German being the speakers The
questions went over until tomorrow, with the
understanding that after few more speeches tho
resolutions will be allowed to go to committee.
Mr. Hale spoke N defence OF the administration
and in criticism OF the Democratic side he oe-
clared there never had been so ruthless an IN
vestigatGn as that which had exposed the frauds
in the Postofice Department He said 1t had been
settled by general consent that all Of the reso-
luti9ns coming from different Senators should De
sent to the Committee Postofices FOR consldera-
ton. lie believed that to be the most suitable
way of proceeding, the chairman of that COM
mlttee had given assurance that the resolutions
would be reported promptly.
so far as I am able to observe there never mas
been any disposition to prevent or stite further IN
vestigation,' said Mr.. Hale. u sag the invest-
CATION has been thorough and severe-an example
such as has not been shown in the history or this
government" He said number OF Democratic
Senators had been dlsturbed-Mr. Bacon or
Georgia, ''by the appartion Of Perry Heath In the
postotfice scandals" and Mr.. German, said Alr.
Hale, naturally looks upon himself in the role OF
prosecutor Of the Republican party for all the &c
Iinquencies in the investigation"
Mr. German said he surprised that such a
conclusion had been reached in regard TO his posi-
ton in asking for an investigation; that 1t had
been far from his purpose to become a public prose-
cutor What he had uttered the subject ne
said. bring out the fact that the iuvest1sa-
ton was incomplete and ought TO go further, and
that It could do no harm TO have the WORK re-
viewed by persons not connected with the admins
traton. ''If there further frauds in the de-
partment ought TO have light on them" he
said"
What have complained of is that the Senator
has stated. and reiterated again and again. that
the investigation has been stihed" said Mr.. Hale
Mr. German answered that he had made the
statement that for and half months the Sem
ator from Pennsylvania. the Senator from Iennes-
see and himself had been trying to secure the pas
sage OF a resolution asking for further investisa-
ton, and" said he. the Senator from Massa-
chusetts Oir. Lodge informed US bluntly and
frankly that the Republican party was in the ma
jOrity, and would permit Us TO obtain any In
formation except by permission OF that party. l
was shocked by that expression 1t was new TO me-
and naturally have resented it. Such a condl-
ton ought not TO be tolerated in the Senate.
Mr. Hale said that personal controversy
between the two Senators, and added that all were
agreed that these resolutions should all 90
TO the Postofflce~ Committee 70 determine 10 what
extent Congress should follow Up, search out, hnd'
expose and punish crimes in the Postoflce Depart
ment."
Mr.. Clay asked Mr.. Hale II he believed ell the
guilty persons in the Postodlce Department had
been exposed indicted. punished Will be punished
through the investigation conducted by the oepa' :
ment-
Mr.. Hale answered that he could not say the ful!
results had been reached but the depaI lneiat Hu
been committed the investigation. aAO ne re-
peated that in the history of the country
had there been an investigation 50 relentless lie
spoke dlsparagingy OF Investigations 5y Congress
IN comparison with Investigations pursued Wllh al
the mae hirery OF the various departments
Mr.. Hale prophesied that, as The great caIlPs4st
between the parties approached. the investigate
by Congress II one is ordered would dwincIe lnto
could gain the advantage over the other. lie sall
that already the Democrats were trying 10 MAKE
Republican party responsible for all the shot
comings IN the Postoffice Department las q Re
publican he declared II willing to risk that
contest" 49, -
Mr., German said that he could agree with Mr.
Hale in most things, but, concerning lnvestlBt ol
he bell sved that much good could be accompLSnei
IL only IN detecting the naws IN the laws ELlcn
permit such frauds those disclosed IN the Fost-
once Department The party In power must %
ready take the credit or the blame for al thar
transpired IN govern mental AFFAIRS The Repuot!-
cans are taking credit tor the exposures IN the
Postofice Department" he said and l suppose
IL the position were reversed We would CO tLe
thing" .
He then referred to statements 20 the effect that
charges and witnesses TO sustain them had be y
called 10 the attention Of Postmaster General
/ Charles Emory Smith and ignored by that Official
He declared that 10 be reason enough for calling
for further investigation. .
I At the conclusion Of AR. Germans remarks the
/ resolution went over until tomorrow
The discus don of the Panama canal question
was confined the continuation OF Mr. Teller
argument that the course OF the United states II
the recent revolt OF Panama was contrary 10 In
ternational law and sound morals.