Evening star., 1904-03-18
BR|STOW QUESTIONED
Explains About the Report
Sent to Congress
TO MCCALL COMMITTEE
APPARENT ATTEMPT TO INVOLVE
THE PRESIDENT.
Interesting Matters Brought Out in the
Public Session Yesterday
Afternoon.

Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow, in testifying before the House
special committee on the post office report,
yesterday afternoon, claimed for himself
responsibility for only the first seven pages
of the report which was sent to the post
office committee and said the other pOr-
tions of the document were the work of
other officials of the department
The clerk-hire section, he said, was pre-
pared in the Office of the first assistant
postmaster general and that part relating
to leases, by inspectors and others in his
own department.
Mr.. Bristow's testimony. threw consider
able light on all phases of the inquiry. He
practically cleared members of Congress
from wrongdoing touching the clerk-hire
section of the report by stating that it was
the duty of the first assistants Office to
ascertain the condition of the work in an
office where an increase had been recon-
mended.
The night of January %, Mr.. Bristow
said, he was taken sick with the grip and
had been unable to be in his office until
last Monday, March IA.
Il had nothing further personally to do
with the matter continued Mr.. Bristow.
Il am informed that the Postmaster Cen
eral asked that the office of the fourth as
sistant postmaster general prepare the In
formation asked for, and that it was pre-
pared by inspectors and turned over to the
Postmaster General by the chief in
Spector'
AS to clerk hire, he said his information
was that the information was prepared in
the Office of the first assistant postmaster
general.
Have you since investigated this list of
names?''
mo, have not; at least not until today
at noon," answered Mr.. Bristow. Il was
inf hot
have been omissions.
Have you in mind any other cases
where members Of Congress made recon-
mendationS?'
Il haven't in mind" was the answer
Mr.. Mccall referred to the statement in
the report that there were other cases.
Il haven't any cases in mind repeated
Mr.. Bristow. Il could investigate, OF
course"
do I understand that Mr.. Waters. in
charge of the office, stated that he had
made complete list?" asked Mr.. Mccall
There might have been cases prior to
April L. 1903," answered Mr. Bristow.
Asked why the date April 1, 1903, was
used, Mr.. BristOw said 1t was because that
was the date of Beavers resignation
There undoubtedly were records in the
department of such transactions that had
been closed prior to the date mentioned,
he said
In regard to the secret method used by
the department to ascertain the amount
or clerk hire to which an office was en-
titled, Mr.. Bristow said, in asking First
Assistant Postmaster General Wynne about
this yesterday, he had said that the
method was not made known to the public,
but If member of Congress made inquiry
he was shown the method.
Several Cases Taken Up.
Taking up the question Of leases, Mr..
Mccall asked an explanation of the case
ffln In,
with which Representative Calderhead's $
name was mentioned. Mr.. Mccall asked
if the increased amount secured was not
for furniture.
Furniture was provided for In the origi-
nal lease, wa, the answer.
Taking up the three cases given PERSONAL
ly by Mr.. Bristow in the report Mr. Nc
Call asked II there was any additional in
formation to be had concerning the case at
Geneseo. N. Y, with which Representative
Wadsworth's name was mentioned.
There was substantially none, was the
answer
AS to the Lawrence, Kans, case. involy-
ing Representative Bowersock's name it
developed that there had been a reduction
in the rent of this office some time prior to
MI MI. Bowersock's election to Congress.
There was 10 additional information re-
garding the Winsted, Conn, case, involving
the name of Representative Lilley.
The Tuskegee. Ala, case, in the supple
Representative Thompson, was INQUIRED
about, but Mr.. Brlstow said he did not per-
sonally know the details of this case
In answer to question by Chairman Nc
Call, and repeated by Representative Nc
Dermott, Mr.. Bristow said he knew of none
other than these four cases in which the
statute might have been violated.
THAT is, he continued, mo other such
cases touching members of the present
Congress-.
Mr. Bristow's Own Case.
Mr.. McDermott asked specifically as to
the duties of The fourth assistant postmas-
ter general, and then took up the case of
Erie, Kans., in which 1t appears that Mr..
Bristow secured increased clerk hire, which
was afterward ascertained not justifable.
In what manner did you do that?"
Mr. Bristow said he referred the matter
to the first assistant postmaster general.
with the understanding that it would he
"Who was first assistant postmaster gen.
eral@'
Mr. Heath"
why did you not make this investigation
yourself?'
Because it was not part of my duties %
WELL il you, being right in the building,
had to rely on the investigation of the first
assistant in such a case, was not a member
of Congress in the same positionT'
Why, certainly" answered Mr.. Bristow;
"he was supposed to pass on these cases on
| their merits
Asked II he could not have detailed an in
| spector on such case, he replied that this
would not have been in accordance with the
courtesy and practice of the Office.
| Mr. McDermott asked a line of questions
| to develop the responsibility for improper
| clerk hire allowances in fourth-class offices
| Mr.. Bristow said he was not the custodian