The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-07
PETTIs, BAssETT & Go.
TILE FRENCH INVESTIGATION.
The Committee Appointed by the Clerks De-
eide to Take No Further Steps.

The FIVE postmastees constituting the French
investigating committee met, yesterday
morning in their second days session.
During the forenoon nothing was done beyond
reading the meager minutes concentrating the
organization of the board and the mailing of
number of the circulars inviting those who have
complaints or grievances to appear and be heard.
There are 694 railway postal clerks in the postal
division superintendent by c. J. French-a divis-
ion including Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee
and Ohio with the exception of the Lake Shore
road land this circular was sent to 164 of the
clerks, those of the division who either run into
or through this city In the afternoon the cir
cular was sent to the remaining clerks of the
division the delay in the case of the latter being
caused by the fact that no record of their names
was to be had at TINS once ana IL T;,s necessary
to send to Cincinnati to obtain the desired list
Capt Eli +. Ritter appeared in the afternoon, in
answer to summons. Upon informing the
commission that the only testimony he could
offer would be in the nature of hearsay evidence
the stenographic reporter was directed to take
no account of what the Captain should say
though the commission expressed themselves as
pleased to receive it in an informal way. Thus
encouraged Captain Ritter said that from a
number of postal clerks resident in this CITY
and members of the Grand Army post of which
ne was q MEMBER, ne nad heafu complaints of
tyrannical conduct on the part of Mr.. French
This conduct consisted in part, of failure to
listen to grievances and circumstances made to
him by clerks in his division, determinations
made against old soldiers, in which he laid I'M
usual burdens upon them, requiring them to do
more than they were able to perform, arbitrarily
changing their runs, refusing to accept reason
able excuse when men had failed to register be-
fore starting their runs, and other matters,
upon none of which, however, did he have any
personal knowledge. He thought there could
not be such a state of feeling as existed against
Mr.. French among the men under him, state
of feeling that was rapidly growing worse with
out reason. He gave the names of number of
persons who had talked to him concerning Mr.
French From these names were taken the
names of Captain A. D. Harvey and Harry
Phillips both formerly in the postal service, but
no longer connected with it, and notices were
sent each of these gentlemen to represent to-day
and testify.
George W. Spahr appeared and said that he
had Just come from meeting of postal clerks
held at the National Hotel, and that it would re
quire little time TO get the witnesses for the
side he represented-that of the railway postal
clerks-before the commission. but beginning
with next Monday he thought that a sufficient
number of witnesses would be coming forward.
The commission adjourned at half past 4
o'clock, Mr.. Phillips having been summoned to
be present at 10 o'clock this morning and Cap
tain Harvey at P NJ. to-day.
Last night formal announcement was made
that the committee appointed by the postal
clerks TO look up evidence have concluded not to
make any appearance before the commission.