The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-08
Br1St0zU'S Report Names Members of Congress

made contracts with members of Congress
for the rental of premises, either in their
own names, the names of their agents
some member Of their families
The report then cites the three instances
previously mentioned. The names of the
congressman involved are j. w. Wads-
worth, the postoffice building at Genesee,
n. Y, having been owned by him; J. j.
Bowersock, who leased the building used
for a postoffce at Lawrence, Kan. and
George L. Lilley, who owned the building
used for pOStoffice at Station A. Win
Sted, Conn.
The history of 161 cases is given in the
report, wherein members or Congress figure
in getting authorization for clerk hire in
excess of the amount the office in
question was entitled to, according to the
secret methods employed by the depart
ment to determine the merits of the case.
Many Of these increases were only tenn
porary and have been discontinued. A
tabulated statement shows that in eighty
two instances where reductions have been
made since April, 1903, Sl5,SS0 was being
paid annually in excess of the amounts
these offices were entitled to.
INDIANA CASES.
AS illustrations of the nature of the long
list of cases, four instances from a single
page are quoted. and another on the fol-
lowing page in which Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow appears as the
Influences" as follows:
Mora, Ind.-On June %, 1902, the Hon.
lowance of $500 for separating clerk at this
office. Two days later he wrote requesting
that the allowance be made $3.50. On June
q, 1902 the allowance was fixed at $50 eff
fectjve July 1, 1902. There does not appear
TO have been any statement Of the separ-
ating work on which to base ct the allowance
showing that there was no separating serv-
ice performed at this office. the allowance
Oakland City, Ind-April IL, 1902, the
Hon. j. A. Hemenway personally recon-
mended that the allowance for separating
April II, 1902, the postmaster made report
of the separating service performed. ard
according to the scale used, he was entitled
to only $3.50 per annum;; On May 8, 1902 a
| letter signed by the first assistant post
| master general was addressed to Mr.. Hem
enway, in which he advised that the
| amount of transit mail now handled at that
| serve basis for the present allowance
| for clerk hire, but in view of your special
at II this shf me Th s will be
| therefore allowed to continue until Nov
49, 1903. The postmaster having reported
separating business ines at his office which en-
| duced TO $40, effective Dec. l. 1893
"Rockport, Ind.-Feb. 49, 1899. the Hon.
| J. A. Hemenway personally recommended
an allowance of $500. An increase from $500
| to $500 was granted from July l. 1899 April
| IL, 1902 the Hon. j. a. Hemenway recon-
| mended an allowance of $780, if possible
4
| of transit mail handled. which he did,
| showing him TO be entitled to $3.50 for clerk
/ hire. The allowance was increased from
/ $500 to $500, effective July l, 1900. April IL,
| 1902, the postmaster was again directed to
1 make an account of transit mail handled.
His report showed him to be entitled to an
/ allowance of $3.50. In memorandum
/ marked special. in the handwriting of the
| general superintendent, directions were
/ given to increase the allowance to $500 from
! July l, 1902. This was done. On Nov. 10.
| 1903. the postmaster, in accordance with in
| structions, made a new account of the
| transit mail handled, showing the office to
| be entitled TO $3.50. Accordingly the allow
ance was reduced from $500 to 1890 on Dec.
l. 1903.
salem, Ind-On Jan. 3. 1903 in a letter
signed by the general superintendent and
| allowance division Hon. A. j. Beveridge
was informed that in accordance with his
| recommendation, the allowance for separa-
| tion clerk hire at this office had been in
| creased from 500 TO 800 effective Jan. /
| any statement OF the separating service
| performed on which this allowance was
based. on June 9, 1903. under instructions
from this office the postmaster reported
! transit matter handled daily, which, ac-
| cording TO the scale. entitled him to $3.50 pei
annum, and on June %. 1893. il was reduced
10 this amount, effective July /, 1903.
| Persons whose Influence" seemed good
/ with the Postoffice Department, for time
at least, embraced in the history of these
cases, include: Senator Beverage and Rep.
resentatives G B. Lands, Crumpa cker
| Watson. Hemenway. Overstreet and former
Representative Steele of Indiana.
There are accounts of Ia instances in the
report where members of Congress have
made recommendations in connection witt
The history of these transactions occupie:
l64 pages or the printed report.