The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-07-26
Secretary'S Visit to Oyster
Bay Causes Alarm
OFFICIALS ARE Ill AT EASE
Suggestions That There May Be a Cen
eTal Cleaning Out and Threshing Over
Of the Treasury Department-Meth-
ods Could be Improved Upon.

DDS Could be Improved Upon.
President Roosevelt's hospitality at
Oyster Bay to his immediate political
advisers. while proving very enjoyable
10 the members OF the Cabinet visiting
there in turn. is having its reflex action
IN this city on the personnel OF the Va
T5ous departments represented from time
to time at the Long Island village In
the absence Of definite information
Dame Rumor IS having a busy time, and
the uncertainty OF the situation has
kept many q Government empIoye Won
dering and even perhaps worrying.
Many o1 the leading officials and
clerks Of the Treasury Department are
now scanning the Oyster Bay dispatches
il the newspapers with mere than the
usual amount Of personal interest,
not to say apprehension, because Of the
visit there of Secretary Shaw and the
quietly circulated rumor Just before his
departure that there was trouble in
pending for some Of them in the depart
ment. ConcurrentIy with Mr.. Shaw
going away all the ruru0ra IN circuIa-
ton since his taking Office seemed to be
rejuvenated in some form or other IN
the quarters where they would engage
the greatest amount Of interest. and the
question now is:
"WfI the Oyster Bay trip prove any
OF these reports to have basis in
reality, with dire consequences 10 some
one CT other?''
Presidents Action Quoted,
IN support of many Of the rumors
regarding possible changes in his posi-
lions. there IS Invariably quoted the
action Of President Roosevelt in the
New York immigration Office clearing
up OF about two months ago. IN that
instance affairs were found TO be SO
complicated that the President simply
determined to make clean sweep cf
all those in any way connected with the
cIlice rather than Gust any one official
and thus pU- him IN the possible posi-
ton Of claiming that he had been made
scapegoat for the failings of others
In regard 10 the report that sweep
ing changes in the personnel Of the
treasury Departments executive force
were contemplated and that this would
De the main theme under discussion al
Oyster Bay during Secretary Shaw's
visit there, the opinion Of the latter was
sought Just before LIS departure from
this city for Oyster Bay, where he ar
rived yesterday The Secretary VIII &c
there over Sunday, and the general ex-
peetation here is that the work Of his
department VIII have very thorough
threshing over. As the rumoTs were re
peated, in order, the Iowaa exhibited
signs OF varying interest, with occa-
SIGNAL indications Of surprise
Mr.. Shaw's Disclaimer.
Just say that I an not professional
refoTner," he commented, suavelv.
punching all the reports under one head
for the time being There are often
found 20 be methods in use which nav
easily be improved upon, II the proper
amount Of the time and study are given
10 their consideration. and working ont
Again, after much experimenting. the
old way may prove 10 have been the
best after all We are simply going
along there 10 make the best record
possible IN our work, and I have faith
IN being well seconded n my efforts b.
those I look 70 for The greatest amount
OF help.
some tine Ego when there seemed 70
be an impression IN some quarters that
2 certain kind Of worz IN the depart
me1t was not being done in Just the
best way I Investigated and found that
the plan could be improved upon very
materially. When that had been done
the same officials who were there before.
gained the cordial approval OF the very
people who had previously criticised
them most harshly- Il was merely q
case where the system vas 10 blame,
and not the men"
Officials On the Lookout.
Secretary Shaw was very chary about
making any comment On whether any
acton might be decided upon at Oyster
Bay in regard TO one OF two Of the
rumors which nave long been in circula-
tioE regarding the further tenure In CT
Ice Of several officials Of high station in
the department It would be manifest
y improper he said, to touch upon
them az ali or even TO admit that the
statements n question were under anv
official consideration
though the Oyster Bay trip nav have
important consequences TO the DEPART
ment, II IS not believed that any an
nouncement VIII Of necessity follow i'm
meciately- Treasury officials and CLERKS
are. however, on the "qui vive." and win
watch IoT The proverbiaI "strav-s''
when nay Indicate TO their experienced /
eyes winch way the summer breezes in
oInc-aIaon are being waited.