The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-18
POSTAL REFORMS WILL
Be URGED BY Mr.. PAYNE
Radical Changes in Administration
Methods Probably Will Be
Recommended.
PLACE OFFERED BLACK
Asked to Accept Civil-Service
Commissionership = Injustice
to Controller Tracewell.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. H.-Postmaster
General Payne is expected to make a
number of important recommendations re-
specting improvements in the postal serv-
ice in his annual report, which will soon
be made public. The House committee on
postoffices is now fully organized and pre-
pared to do business Immediately on the
reconvening of Congress in January. 1t al
ready has before il the Bristow report,
which contains an immense amount of in
formation as to the manner in which the
department has been looted for the past
ten years or so. The report also contains
data which will be of great value to the
committee In framing the postal appro-
priation bill and such bills relating to the
administration of the service as Postmas-
ter General Payne in his report may rec
ommend as necessary. The opinion seems
to be general among postal experts that
honest administration and not new laws
is what is needed. AT the same time 1t Is
expected that the present organization OF
the department will be changed both by
statute and by order of the postmaster gen.
eral. The accounting system of the service
is defective in many respects, and this is
said to have afforded the opportunity
which Mr.. Machen and the other ringsters
were so prompt in grasping. Just what
will be done by the House In
modifying the accounting system of the de-
partment has not been determined. At the
present time the authority for making
disbursements is divided. Congress will see
to it that there Is an officer who shall
have sole jurisdiction over disbursements.
The committee, of course, will not act until
II has before ii the conclusions OF Post
master General Payne, who has been hard
at work for several months framing rec
concentrations which If put into practice
will place the department on a modern
business basis.
xxx
Tho qualification of the Roma ma Conrad
report containing references to Robert j.
received with interest in the Indiana colony.
AS heretofore indicated in these dispatches
the criticism of Controller Tracewell is mild.
The impression prevails that Messrs.
Bonaparte and Conrad are hypercritical in
their conclusions relative TO the Indiana
man. Controller Traceweil Is generally re-
garded as one of the most efficient men who
has ever held this important Office. Secre-
tary Shaw is an admirer of Mr.. Tracewell
and expresses the utmost satisfaction with
his administration of the controllers office.
XXX
A bill was introduced by representative
Zenor placing the nonenlisted officers and
feet and marine brigade on the rolls of the
Pension Bureau.
Attorney A w. Wishard takes exceptions
to criticisms that have been made Of the
State Board of Agriculture of Indiana in
pressing a claim for damages to buildings
of the board at Indianapolis occupied by
the State troops. The State Supreme
Court has held" said Mr.. Wishard to-day,
that the board is a private corporation
and self-perpetuated. Its property was
taken for war purposes, and the damages
resulting therefrom necessitated an outlay
of nearly SIC, 600 for repairs. Private prop
arfV WAS deGlrnVad nv Sfafa frnpnc IN the
federal service. The claim Is a proper one.
and should be paid. 1 am here to present
additional proof. The bill introduced pro-
vides that the secretary Of war shall ascer-