Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-07

Dayton secured increases for Vest Virginia. The two increases for Wisconsin are down to the credit of former Representative Larney and A. W. Machen. Wyoming had one such increase, to the credit of Senator Warren.
 > There are accounts of 177 instances in the reports where members of congress have made recommends tions in connection with leases of buildings for postoffice purposes. The history of these transactions occupies 164 pages of the printed report. An illustration Of the nature of these transactions may be had by the fol lowing quotation from the report: , "Norwalk, Corn.-At Norwalk, Conn; salary of postmaster $2,3OO; lease of five years at $55O per annum, including equipment, heat and light the Light being paid for by a tele- graph office in the lobby; expired April i, 1902 The matter of secur- ing new lease was referred to As sistant Superintendent White. Upon a carbon copy of letter to White, dat ed January 3, is the following en- dorsement:
 February 19, 19o2-Promised Hill, member congress, a fairly reasonable rental and good office, if a satisfac- tory location and building can be se- cured. c. V. B."
 February 20, 1902, wire was sent to- Assistant Superintendent White at Boston as follows:
 Congressman Hill wants you to meet him at Norwalk club, Norwalk, Conn, Saturday morning 9 or 10 o'clock. Please arrange to be there, and advise me by wire if you can do so.''
 On March 4. 1902, MT White report ed that the old lessor did not wish re- newal of lease; that the Business Mems association desired that the of flee be located in building owned by Mrs Weed; that this offer was not sat isfactory and the rent demanded was $1,2O0 a year. he reports a confer ence with a committee at. which E. J. Hill was present and stated that he thought he would be able to get the postotnce department to- furnish tn, equipment for the Norwalk club rooms if they should be selected for the To- cation of the office.
 Two propositions are submitted by the Norwalk club, one at 5000 Der an mum, including heat, light and water, the department to furnish the entire equipment; the other offering the same room, including heat, ighth and equip ment, at SLIGO a year. MT White recommends the acceptance of the $1,- 100 proposition, including equipment. Filed between the sheets of this report is letterhead of the salary and all lowance division with the following memorandum:
 ToT Fo, March 8, 1902.-Congressman Hill called and stated he would like to have the Norwalk, Conn, lease case held un- til Tuesday, March II, when Assistant Superintendent White will be here. Does not want proposition accepted ex- cept under certain conditions. Grand field"
 On March 26 notice was sent to the postmaster of acceptance of the pro posal at 5000 without equipment. The department undertook the se- curing of equipment for this postof1ce, making contract therefor with the Cor bin Cabinet Lock Go, paying $1,S50. There appears to have been great de- lay in getting the furniture ready, as the following correspondence between the congressman and MT Beavers shows:
 
 George W. Beavers, Esq, Chief Divis- ion of Salaries and Allowances, Postoffice Department, Washing ton, D. C.:
 My Dear Beavers: I do not know who is to Jblame for the condition of things which I found here when l reached home, but I am afraid some body will find themselves in trouble before we get through. As l under stand it, the lease of the new post office was taken for the first of July, and the fixtures are partly in, but there are no boxes and no desks or chairs or any facilities whatever for doing business.
 "I understand that MT White came down here several days ago, having sent word in advance to be prepared to move everything from the old post office, to the new, and when he arrived here found, of course, that it was im- possible to do that, as the fittings had not come.
 q assume, of course. that the land lord at the old pace will want his rent while the place is being occupied. I have written to the Corbin Manufac- turing Go of New Britain telling them that somebody will find themselves in trouble If these things are not deliv- cred. Meanwhile Keith the, postmas- ter is in good deal of a stew about making up his returns. He has had a bill for the whole thing sent him and Instructions from the department to pay it, and. of course, has not money enough to do it, and ought not to do it until the things are delivered in ac- cordance with the contract.
 The postoftice is going to be very fine one. The accommOda tions will be excellent; yes, more than excellent, they will be superb. but everything seems to go so abominably slow. My impression is that you ought to give your man White a dose of ginger or pepper, or perhaps both would answer better, every day and see if you could infuse into him some of your own personal way of dispatching business. | am inclined to think it would be a good thing.
 Not only is there what seems to me unnecessary delay being had in regard to it, but Keith is worrying over the fact that he cannot send ill his ac- counts for the last quarter, MT White having told him to hold them back