The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-29
SHAKE-UPINP 70. STATION j
SUPERINTENDENT LooNEY AND MS
TWO lids TO GO.
Guilty or Loose Business methods, but Hnno-
cent or CRIMINAL Intent-An the Other
Brauoh Post Onlces or tho City TO he In-
vestiEnted rs q RenuIt of Their Eanoamrc.

Guilty or Loose Business Methods, but unno-
cent or Criminal Intent-At the Other
Brawoh Post Omces OF tho city to lie In
Vestigatcd as n Result OF Their Exposure.
The investigation into the business methods
OF Post Office Station J, at 2l3 West ln5th
street, Of which Robert Looney was supcrin-
tcndont, ended yesterday morning In Post
master Van Colts deciding to recommend to the
General that Looncy and his two
subordinatcs, Frederick y. Taylor, the money
order clork, and w. j. Reynolds. the stamp
clerk, DO removed from office.
As n result Of Chief Inspector Ashes invcsti-
CATION OF the way tho financial management of
Station J was conducted, Postmaster Van Colt
has issued an order directing II thorough cx-
animation Of tho business system of every
branch office in tho city. Postmaster Van Colt
says that ho issued this order not because any
thing criminal was discovered in the actions Of
the three employees Of Station ], but rs a pre-
cautionary measure, taken mainly to enable
the Postmaster to assure himself that the regu-
lation system OF dealing with money order and
stamp sale receipts Is not doviated from in
other postal stations.
Postmaster Van Colt formally announced
yesterday that the dismissal Of Looney and his
associates was due to violation Of the rules gov
erning the control of money received at tho sta
ton from the sale of money orders and stamps.
The Government will lose nothing whatever
through the carelessness OF the three employees.
A shortage of about Ss2 was discovered In the
money order accounts at the station. but the
amount was made good almost Immediately
after Inspector Ashe discovered 1t. The whole
money by the clerks pending the regular month,
ly settlement of accounts with the financial
authorities Of the main office.
precipitated by Rcynolds's failure to pay back
to superintendent Looncy money, that the lat
ter. advanced to make good the shortage when
Chief Osbe turned up unexpectedly to balance
fused point blank to admit that he had received
any loan from LOoncy, and had told tho latter
that he did not know what he was talking about
when he intimated that he had borrowed. 4
quarrel cnsued. which led TO the revelation Of
the irregular and lax business. methods, and
the instant suspension Of all three men con-
cerned followed the moment the news reached
the ears of superintendent Edward NJ. Nor
gan, as was reported in sundays sun. Both
Postmaster Van Colt and Superintendent Nor.
gan acquitted the three employees of criminal
intent.
Van Colt said yesterday afternoon. There
was apparently no attempt to defraud.. They
were simply careless, but, of course, such care
lessness cannot be, permitted to pass with q
mere reprimand. An example must be set to
other employees that any departure from the
correct rules of business that are observed In
any commercial house will not be permitted in
any branch Of the Post Office of New York, !
have, therefore, the removal OF
these three employees
.Looney was appointed on Sept. Il. 1898.
His salary as superintendent was $4,000 a
year. Reynolds was appointed on Oct. !, 1890
to an $500 a year clerkship. and Taylor was
clerk got 5000 per annum.. Nobody will be APP
pointed in place of the three until their dis
missal is approved by the General.