The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-03-22
CONGRESSMEN QUESTION
THE FOURTH ASSISTANT
BrStow Running the GantIet With No Hope of
Mercy
Wynne Will Go Before the Mccall Committee Today and En-
deaVor to Save His Scalp.

iNIASHINGTON, March 2t.-The Nc
wv Call committee today continued
consideration of the report from
the postohice department concerning
members of congress, Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General BristOw cOntinu-
ing his testimony Mr.. Burton asked
Mr.. Bristow il the clerk hire allow
ances were not made according to Sc
cret regulations in the postOhice de-
partment.
There is a schedule, I understand
replied Mr.. BristOw. lin the first as
sistant's Office that is confidential, up
on which these allowances are based.
I would not want to say that Mr.. Bea-
veI5 in the administration Of that Office
made these allowances in accordance
TO those regulations. / think he made
them according to his own pleasure
MI Mccall asked if any congress
men knew what the secret rule was.
The Members Knew.
Il don't know anything about that"
was MI BTistOWs response. 1T is not
in my own bureau and 1 could not
say. ] was informed by the first as
sistant postmaster general Friday that
IT was accessible to members of con-
gress."
Mr.. Bristow did not know whether
the members Of congress ever had been
informed about this secret test. He
suggested that the first assistant would
DIE able to give more satisfactory an
swcr.
Rent of fourth-class Offices, it was
explained by Mr.. Bristow was limited
by law to a maximum of $500 "A year
and an allowance OF $50 Tor fuel and
light
Mr.. Bartlett then read to Mr.. Bris-
tow a number of questions TO ascer-
Of ha no
had prepared the report, first asking
with reference to that part of the re-
port referring TO clerk hire. Mr.. BTis-
tow said he had no information except
what he had been told. He suggested
that First Assistant Postmaster Gene
raj Wynnc could answer that question.
As 10 the lease section Of the report
ne said he would furnish the committee
with "a list of the inspectors who made
UP the report.
Bristow Couldn't Say.
do you say" said Mr.. Burton, that
I'm this report to the pOstofice commit
tee concerning members of congress,
there is no proof Of improper conduct
on the part of any member Of the
present congress? First, / viii ask
with reference to clerk hire2'
We'll. 1 could not say. ] have not
been able TO go over it and examine
IL"
The lease section OF the report was
referred 10 and the same question
asked with reference to criticism of
members OF congress. Mr.. BristOw said
he had not in mind any cases outside
the three cases he had prepared. Con-
tinUing, Mr.. BristOw said:
What l was endeaVOring TO inVesti-
gate was Mr.. Beavers. That report re-
fers TO the methods of his administra-
ton and in discussing that it necessit-
ated bringing in instances where mem
hers of congress had made recommen-
dauons that he had allowed where
considered such allowances improper
] did not consider il incumbent on me
TO state whether a member Of congress
had done anything improper or not. I
simply set forth the facts and drew
my conclusion with reference to Mr..
Beavers administration. think 1 GER
tainly said that on page 145 of my re-
port"
Department Responsible.
Here NIr. Bristow related congress
men as u rule want their constituents
70 have what they are justly entitled
10 and no more
Continuing his testimony, Mr.. Bris-
tow remarked:
The responsibility of these allow
ances I placed entirely on the depart
ment. II a member of congress pur-
pCsaly or inadvertently makes a rec
ommenda ton, the responsibility is in
the department"
There seems to be a misapprehen-
sion that I have made an assault on
members Of congress- continued Mr.
BristOw.
THAT includes both houses" inter-
jerted Mr.. Mccall
Wei, I certainly never have" con-
Cluded Nr. Bristow, used any language
that could be construed that way"
DO YOU know asked Mr.. Burton.
"of any case I'm this report or improper
conduct with reference 10 the ma king
of leases on the part OF the congress
n5cu?'
Il don't know of amy, but I am not
familiar with that report. so 1 don