The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-06
THE FRENCH INVESTIGATION
The Commission Of POstmasters Organ
lied and Ready to Hear Testimony.
A Circular Letter Issued, Inviting Wit
nesses to Appear and Make Their State
ments-Details of the Meeting.

At 10 o'clock yesterday morning the members
of the commission appointed to investigate the
charges and complaints against c. Jay French
superintendent of the Fifth division of the rail
way postal service met and organized. The
commission is composed of Thomas Jones, jr,
postmaster, Cleveland, o., chairman; E. S
Tuley, assistant postmaster, Louisville, KY,
secretary; and L. D. Myers postmaster, Column
bus, o.; G. L, Reid, postmaster Peru; j. A
Wildman, postmaster indianapolis. The rail
way postal employees in the United States num-
Der about 1000, of which number about 600 are
in French's division At the afternoon meeting
held on the third floor of the government build
ing, in the chamber of the United States District
Court the following document which is self
explanatory, was adopted:
CIRCULAR LETTER.
To all whom it may rn-posal clerks and others;
The undersigned have been designated by the Post
masters general as a commission to investigate charges
and complaints against G. j. French superintendent
railway mail service. Fifth division and make report
thereon without unnecessary delay The commission
has organized this day and is ready TO hear testi
mony. Sessions will be held daily, unless adjourn
ment for than day shall be deemed advisable,
in a of the postofee building from A NJ. to II
NJ, and from to D p NJ. Any person, whether en-
poyed in the postal service or not who may have per-
sonal knowledge reliable information of favoritisn,
injustice tranny exercised by O. Jay French IN his
treatment of postal clerks any who may know facts
tending show his nefciency dishonesty especial
ly in the weighing of mails is invited to appear and
testify. In order that clerk employed in the
railway mail service in this district may be deprived of
the opportunity to testify by want of time to make
necessary preparation for leaving his work notice is
given that the testimony of such clerks will be heard
by the commission at 10 o'clock A. Wednesday,
Feb ID and from day to day thereafter until all who
desire have made their statements. Assurance of pro
complaints is offered in the following dispatch of the
Postmaster general to the commission:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. A, 1884.
James A. wildman. Postmaster indianapolis:
please give public notice through the press that
postal clerks who have complaints and charges against
French invited to appear and testify before the
commission. They will be allowed full pay during
their absence from duty and will be protected from
persecution annoyance in the future account of
testifying l expect the commission to every
effort to make a thorough and impartial investiga-
ton. w. @. GRESHAM"
It is desired that the investigation shall be full
thorough and impartial and the report shall go to the
merits of the case; but the commission is without
power to compel attendance of witnesses and must
rely upon the good faith of persons who have made
and published complaints upon which the investiga
ton has been ordered
The sessions of the commission will be open to the
public. THOMAS JONES' JR.,
L. d. MYERS,
E. S. TULEY
j. A WnDMAN,
G. 1. REED
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 8, 1884
1t was further decided to have printed two
hundred summonses in blanks calling for the
attendance Of witnesses other than railway
| postal clerks who may know something of the
matter under consideration by the commission.
George W. Spahr appeared to make inquiry
whether the commission had power to compel
the attendance of witnesses. de desired to be
informed on that point in order to determine his
conduct as to whether not he would appear
| attorney for a number of members of George H.
| Thomas Post No; II, 6. A. R., who are postal
| clerks, and who have complaints to make against
| Mr. French He was informed that the COM