Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-07
u. s. MAY ACCEPT GIFT
AFTER 10 YEARS. DELAY
WilIed by Late Dr.. c. P. Mac
donald. FEATHER" of Postal
Money Order Service.

After more than ten years delay Con-
the United States government to accept
the sum of 5000 in cash which has been
offered to it by a former official of the
Post Office Department, now dead, for
the purpose of improving the postal
money order service
This sum was bequeathed to the United
States by the late Dr. c. p. Macdonald
who died in 1902 He was known as 1.-The
father of the postal money order serv-
ice and was its first superintendent In
1902 Thomas ]. Fisher & Co. turned over
the money to the United States. and the
draft for it has been in the possession
of the chief clerk of the third assistant
postmaster generals office ever since
Asks Mr.. McAdoo to Act.
The Postmaster General today wrote
letter to the Secretary of the Treasury
asking him to take such action with Con-
gress as may be necessary or advisable
In regard to the bequest.
The history of the case is told in the
papers prepared by former Gov A. NJ
Dockery. third assistant postmaster gen.
era, VINO reclteS the legal bubbles that
have arisen In the past ten years as to
whether the United States has the right
TO accept the money, and the cOmplica-
uon OF the case brought about by an APP
pllcation from the brother of Dr. Mac
donald. who is an employee of the Boston
post office. that he be given the money
by the governpent if the United States
does not intend to carry out the pro-
visions of the bequest. an application in
dorsed by Senator Crane of Massachu-
sets.
The third assistant postmaster general
says OF the bequest. in part:
Dr Macdonald was the father of the
money order system and it's first super
lntendent. He founded the postal money
oraer system in the United States and
made 1t his life work, devoting to it's
success all his time and energy. Child
less. he watched the growth of this crea-
ture OF his inventive mind until it came
20 De the greatest and most successful
system OF its kind in the world, and it
seems natural enough that his pride in
.hdt success assumed the attitude of
parent toward favorite child.
Difficulties to Be Overcome.
viewed in this light. the bequest by
"hlcn ne endeavored TO insure continued
Improvement of the service at time
"hen MS far-seeing mind could no longer
dlrect the policies and safeguard the in
terests OF the system is easily under
stood, and seems to impose on the depart
ment as trust the duty of making all
reasonable efforts to fulfill his wishes
however, there are difficulties to be over
come peiore the money can be expended
IN the manner directed by the will, as
must De formally accepted and spe-
clhcaily appropriated to the purnosa by
Congress.
AS 20 the main point at issue there
Is no divergence OF opinion between the
law officers consulted; they mite in prn-
nouncing the hequest valid and the title
oI the hitea states perfect Therefore,
10 enable TINS department to realize the
testator 5 wish and thus honor his mem
DRY by EFFORTS TO advance the interests of
the service. | suggest that the whole mat
ter be again referred to Congress with a
recommendation that its formal sanction
oe given 70 acceptance of the gift, and
that the amount of the beouest he sne-
officially set aside by appropriation to be
expended under the authority and direc-
ton of commission Of three nersons to
be appointed by the Postmaster General
and to serve without Compensation