The evening times., 1900-05-26

MerrilL very frankly dNOWS ne ulScnarb beu
from the position Of cashier OF the Wash
ington City Office in order 10 make room for
another man. Tulloch had been connected
with the CITY Postoface for years in vari-
Gus capacities. His father al one time was
postmaster. When Postns- Ger Merritt took
charge OF the office a year ago il is said
he discovered Tulloch was connected with
a local electric light company and that his
civil employment iaterfered with his OFF,
cial duties. Tulloch Is blamed by the post
office employees with all os the responsible
" for the charges Of irregularities pre-
ferred. 1t is alleged that as soon as he
was discharged by sfmaster Merritt he
began TO talk ominousIy about frauds and
other irregularities in rhe postal service
Of Porto Rico, which az erst was conducted
as part Of the Washington City Postofice
IL is further alleged that Tulloch has been
trying for year 10 get his charges into
the newspapers.
When the attention of Chief Inspector
Cochran. Of the Postofice Department was
called TO the statement that there existed
an understanding among officials to let
the Washington City Pcsiofice alone, and
that high officials would step in whenever
full and Through inspection Is under
I taken" he s.nilingly said that he did lot
care 10 make any statement regarding the
assertion Mr.. Cochran refused 10 deny
or affirm the truth OF the allegation, and
said that the Postmaster General would te
tbs proper person to make a statement.
John E Jones. a reporter for the Even
ing Star when questioned about his al
legged position as physician 10 the Wash
ington City Postofice. at 81. 700 per year
said iI an enQuiring tone: You know that
l am a. regular practicing Physician" Be
yond this he refused TO give any further
information, neither denying E0r affirming
the statement.
When the attention OF Auditor Castle
for the POstoffice Department, was called
to the alleged irregularities IN dfsburse
ments OF salaries, and other questionable
/ transactions In the Postoifice Department
he said that irregularities are a common
occurrence but they are not necessarily
| Illegal or criminal. Sometimes, Mr.. Castle
said various officials fail TO accompany
their accounts with the proper vouchers
and sub-vouchers- In cases where tSsre
is SUSPICION of irregulsfity IN the service
We notify the chief inspector who details
an Inspector on the case for Investigation, ."
said Auditor Castle. Regarding the ap-
! pearanCe OF the same name on two OF three
payrolls, Mr. Castle said that the law al
| lows a persons 10 al two CT three positions
as long as no one OF the salaries attached
thereto exceeds the sum Of $500. Con-
[ cludiAg. NJ Castle said: "OuT books and
| proper order from Comptroller Tracewell
All accounts 20 finally TO the Comptroller
OF the Treasury FOR his approval"
I Comptroller TraceVveiI's Statement.
Comptroller Of the Treasury R J. Trace
! well said this morning that there was 10
truth in the statements that be had been
required to drop the Investigation OF the
accounts OF the Washington PostofHce, and
TO allow them to regulate their own ex-
pense account. He added tae remark that
h was not OF the kind VINO could be gag
ged Jr held up n the matter Of iTregu-
| larit.ss in accounts CT the disbursements
Z by 4 e Washington POstofice. he said that
/ there had been great many irregularities,
which aggregated many thousands OF dol
lars. These discrepancies. however he
could not recall as having been Of other
than the ordinary character that come be-
fore his Office daily, ana we're not exten-
sively found in the disbursements u the
service IN Porto Rico, but were more nu-
merous in the payments OF jhe lOc8l ac-
counts. Many Of the ci ms had been al
lowed and others dis Eed. IS seemed
proper after his review c each case. Tie
decision in each instance he stated. was
a matter Of public recOTa and open 10 in
/ spection.
Comptroller TraceweH recalled the case
OF John e Jones, who. = Was stated had
/ been employed as a physician by the City
! PCstofice. Jones. the Comptroller ex-
| planned, had been employed as a clerk to
! investigate such absences OF the employ
es Of the Postohice as we're ascribed TO
I sickness. aud no physician was employed
| in a professional capacity by the Post
| Of"ce. As he recOllected the matter the
| Jolss account had been disaIlowed-
Comptroller Traceweli repeated the
statement that the business Of his ofice
was Of public record, and IN all its details
/ open to investigation.