The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-22
Instructions Issued that All Records,
Supplies and other Property
Be Turned Over to Him.
RATHBoNE WAS NEGLIGENT
AND WILL BE UNDER SURVEILLANCE
FOR SOME TIME.
Bills Providing for ExtradftiOn-San
Juan PostOmce Found to BE in
Excellent Condition.
WAsHINGToN, May n-The postmaster

WASHINGTON, May 2-The postmaster
general to-day issued the following:
Ordered that Estes G. Rathbone be, and
he is hereby, suspended from the Office Of
director general of posts of Cuba; that
Ralph L. Bristow, fourth assistant post
master general, be, and he is hereby, ap-
pointed acting director general of posts or
Cuba, without other salary than that OF
fourth assistant postmaster general; that
all records, books. papers, supplies and
other properties of the department of posts
of Cuba shall be Immediately delivered to
the custody of the acting director Of posts
hereby appointed
1t is presumed that the action to-day
was based upon reports received by the
postmaster general from Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow at Havana.
Nothing could be learned Of the details or
the reports received from this source to-
day, but it was stated that they were of
a general character The postmaster gen.
eral, when asked If Mr.. Rathbone's suspen-
sion was due simply to negligence In ad-
ministering Cuban postal affairs. said that
such might be the inference drawn. When
asked whether Mr.. Rathbone was at lib
erty to leave the island the postmaster
general replied that General Wood had con-
troll of that branch of the subject and
would act as he thought proper. AS 1t
was stated, however, that the ex-director
general will be investigated, together with
all others connected with the alleged
frauds. 1t is apparent that he is under sur
veIllance and cannot leave the island. Mr..
Rathbone's salary as an official ceased
with the order announcing his suspension.
Whether or not his connection with the
postal service has been severed permanent
ly was not stated.
The postmaster general said that 1t was
too soon to begin talking of a new head
for the Cuban postal system as it was
probable that 1t would be some time before
the present situation was adjusted proper
ly. Mr.. Bristow has power to make new
arrangements as to the working of the
Cuban postal system and probably will
make changes with a view to simplifying
it's operations. 1t is not probable that any
radical change is contemplated, however,
as the postmaster general is of the opinion
that the system as a whole. is an admira-
BILE one for the purpose. The difficulty, in
his opinion, is only that it has not been
properly administered. The full extent and
all details of the instructions given Mr..
Bristow probably will be made public
through an address to be delivered In the
Senate within short while.
The postmaster general said he would
welcome an investigation of the postal af-
fairs of Porto Rico, as he was confident
they will bear the closest examination. One
instance of a loss of postal funds had oc-
Cured several months ago, but 1t was de-
cided that the department could not make
out a case strong enough to convince the
| island courts 1t is understood that COM
| promise was effected and the department
still carries on its books several thousand
| dollars as loss. 1t is stated on good au-
| thority that the clerk who was involved in
the case was dismissed from the office at
| Ponce and when he later attempted to
| enter the Cuban service was denied an ap-
pointment