Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1894 — Star Route Frauds. [ARTICLE]

Star Route Frauds.

The celebrated “star route” frauds are probably the most conspicuous in the list of frauds against the Government. These frauds were worked under plea es expediting the service of the Post Office Department over what are known as “star routes”— routes covered by special contract with carriers, which are indicated In the Post Office Department list with an asterisk. If a contract was mode to deliver mail once a week at a point 110 miles from a railroad within fifty hours from leaving the railroad, for SI,OOO a year, the patrons of the office (including the friends and employes of the contractors) would petition for a delivery twice a week. By collusion with officials of the Post Office Department, the service would be expedited as requested, and the contractors would receive double the sum agreed upon originally for the work. Then petitions would be presented for quickening the service—that is, shortening the time of transportation. This would mean another adtion to the compensation, often quadrupling it. In about four months after July 1, 1878, the cost of the Western star route service increased #bout $1,500,000 a year. Then came public scandal, congressional investigation and indictments. Since the investigation of the star route frauds the Post Office Department has stopped “expediting” the star service. If a contractordeclinei to deliver the mall at a better rate of speed, the contract is cancelled and a new contract is let to the lowest bidder.—[Washington Star.