405 Hon. George A. Perry,

Cumberland, Md. Sir:

In reply to your recent telegram addressed to the Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General I beg to advise you that on September 24 last the
25 allowance for clerical assistance at Rockville, Md., was reduced from $1,100 to $360 per annum, to take
50 effect October 1, 1903. This action was based upon reports from the postmaster and officials of this Department, showing that, in accordance
75 with the present law, the latter amount is as much as can be approved for clerk hire at Rockville, that office being of the third
100 class.

Very respectfully, (103)

First Assistant Postmaster-General.

Department of the Interior,

Office of Indian Affairs, Washington, June 21, 1902. Sir:

This office is in receipt, by Department reference, for report, of S. 3622, a bill to provide for the
25 payment to the heirs of Darius B. Randall, deceased, for certain improvements relinquished to the United States for the use of the Nez Perce Indians,50 referred to the Department with request for a report thereon, by Hon. William M. Stewart, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

The bill
75 appropriates $3,161, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to pay to the heirs of Darius
100 B. Randall, deceased,

for certain improvements situated on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, relinquished by said deceased to the United States for the use of
125 the Nez Perce tribe of Indians.

Under date of January 8, 1879, this office made report upon a communication from Senator Allison, chairman of
150 the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, enclosing a copy of Senate bill 681, to provide for the payment to Loyal C. Brown,175 administrator of the estate of Darius B. Randall, deceased, for certain improvements relinquished to the United States for the use of the Nez Perce Indians,200 in which the Commissioner said:

" I am convinced that justice and good faith require the payment of compensation in the premises; and the only remaining
225 question relates to the sum which should be allowed therefor. In the absence of a formal appraisement of the improvements of Mr. Randall, I am
250 of the opinion that the sum of $1,500, as finally fixed by Messrs. Shanks and Monteith, should be adopted as the
275 correct valuation."

He therefore recommended the passage of the bill when amended by striking out the sum of $3,161 and
300 inserting in lieu thereof $1,500, with interest thereon at 6 per cent per annum from August 4, 1873, until
325 paid.

It is not found that the Senate committee made any report on this bill, but on January 31, 1879, a report was made
350 on a similar bill in the House of Representatives (H. R. Report No. 87, Forty-fifth Congress, third session), which recommended the passage of the bill
375 with an amendment reducing the amount to $1,575, that sum to be deducted from the last of twenty installments to
400 be paid the Nez Perce under the fifth article of the treaty of 1855. (12 Stats., 957.)

The twenty installments
425 under said treaty have long since been paid. As the amount fixed

in the present bill is less than the amount recommended in office report
450 of January 8, 1879, with the interest therein recommended to be paid, this office recommends the passage of the bill.

A copy of said
475 office report of January 8, 1879, is enclosed herewith.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

The Secretary of the Interior. (490)

Mr. James P. B. Viers,

Postmaster, Rockville, Md. Sir:

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your personal letter of the 6th instant, requesting an additional allowance for clerk hire. The allowance was
25 increased from $360 to $600, to take effect November 1, under date of January 9 last, on recommendation of
50 Post-Office Inspector Sharon; and on January 26 last you were directed to make a new count of the transit mail to ascertain whether any
75 further allowance could be made under section 308, Postal Laws and Regulations. Apparently you have not reported on this request, and no
100 further action can be taken. The Department is not warranted in making any additional allowance under section 309.

Very respectfully, (123)

First Assistant Postmaster-General.