Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-19
POST OFFICE SCANDAL
Another Lull in the Investi-
cation.
MR.. PAYNE ANNOYED
ATTEMPT TO CREATE DIFFICULTY
WITH THE PRESIDENT.
No Action in Reference to Mr.. Metcalf's
Request-More Arrests
Probable.


Postmaster General Payne was at ms
office for about an hour before gong TO the
cabinet meeting Among those who called
to see him were Mr.. Cecil Lyons, CHAIRMAN
of the republican state central committee
of Texas; Mr. John r. Proctor, president OF
the civil service commission, and Represen-
tative Sherman of New York. Mr. Proctor
visit was doubtless on questions involved in
the investigation.
Fourth Assistant Bristow. for the first
time in more than two weeks, found the
opportunity to give some attention to his
personal mail.
Postmaster General Annoyed.
Postmaster General Payne Is annoyed by
stories that have been printed by certain
papers which have tried to create the I'M
preston that President Roosevelt is dis
satisfied with the manner in which he has
directed the investigation Of the Post Once
Department.
The Postmaster General, according to an
intimate friend, feels keenly the position IN
which he Is placed. that of investigating
scandals that were begun in the admins
trations of predecessors. and the brunt OF
which he is compelled to bear because he
Is the incumbent.
Mr.. Payne has been subjected to severe
position has been a trying one. He realizes
that whatever he does he will be criticised;
but that any one should attempt to create
the impression that the relations between
himself and the President are not of the
pleasantest nature he cannot help resent
Ing.
Just what action Mr.. Payne will take In
the matter of Mr.. James B. Metcalf, who
was removed from the position of supertn-
tendent of the money order system We'd
nesday, and who yesterday asked for re-
opening of his case, could not be definitely
ascertained today.
eral feels kindly disposed toward Mr.. Met
calf and would be more than pleased II
the removed official should be able to estab-
lish beyond reasonable doubt his innocence
of any wrongdoing.
More Arrests Probable.
There is little room for doubt that more
arrests are to follow, and within a short
time Mr.. Bristow and his inspectors are
working assiduously and relentlessly. "A
remarkable feature of the investigation is
the secrecy that is maintained throughout.
In Investigations Of the magnitude of that
now going on in the Post Office Depart
ment it is common for some one to permit
information to leak out. The Postmaster
General Is the one through whom all In
formation is communicated to the public.
and Mr.. Bristow and his assistants have
studiously refrained from giving even
hint as to Wnat was IN store.
Mr.. Cochran, the chief inspector, says the
Investigation will continue at least six
weeks. and that the end is not in sight.
Report on Mr.. Christiancy.
Postmaster General Payne has received
a report from Assistant Attorney General
Robb In reply to the formers request for
a statement whether the decision of the
Post Office Department in the Ryan turf
investment case signed by former Acting
Assistant Attorney General Christiancy, is
in accordGnce with the law and the facts.
Mr.. Payne is not yet ready to make the
report public Mr.. Christiancy is still on
leave of absence Postal officials are in
touch with him, and 1t is believed that
final disposition of his case is delayed,
with view to securing further informa-
ton from him concerning the administra-
ton of his office.
The q. S. Attorneys Office.
The visit Of United States Attorney Beach,
Assistant Attorney Hugh Taggart and Mr.
Robb the assistant attorney general for the
Post Office Department to the White House
late Yesterday for conference with Presi-
dent Roosevelt was the cause of a report
which gained considerable notoriety that
the President had urged the district attor-
ney to greater action in the matter OF pre-
pairing and completing papers Tor 1nolct-
ments in cases brought before the grand
jury.
This naturally suggested that there was
some feeling on the part of the Post Office
Department toward the District officers.
1t may be stated authOritatiYely that
there Is no unfriendly feeling on the part
of the Post Office Department against Mr..
Taggart and hts assistants.
The Post Office Department Is quite nat
urally interested In having the cases that
are brought to the attention Of the grand
fury in connection with the present inves-
tigation expedited without any unneces-
sary delay.
= The Post Office Department realizes that
it requires some time to prepare papers so
that they shall be fawless. and the de-
partment has absolute confidence in Mr.
Taggart and his assistants.
Grand Jury Not in Session.
The grand jury not being in session to-
day there were no Developments at the
city hall in reference to the Post Office
Department investigation.
The officials associated with Assistant
United States Attorney Hugh T. Taggart
are indignant because Of the published
criticisms of Mr.. Taggart in effect that he
is responsible for unnecessary delay in the
reporting of indictments in connection with
the post Office prosecutions. 1t is explained
that every Indictment reported In this juris-
diction is prepared by Mr. Taggart, and
that the wheels of justice cannot be gen.
orally stopped merely because of a scandal
that exists in one of the executive depart
mentS.
1t is a well-known fact that during the
past few weeks Mr. Taggart has remained
at his office nearly every night until long
after midnight. Each indictment must be
framed with the utmost care for other
wise it might promptly be quashed in court
for technical reasons. The United States
attorneys office, 1t is contended, has kept
fully abreast of the information supplied it
by the Post Office Department. 1t is added
that the prosecuting officers must have
af han hnf
dictments
The assertion is made at the city hall
that Mr.. Beach and Mr.. Taggart were not
reproved yesterday by the President for
alleged delay in the reporting of indict-
ments. The President merely suggested, it
is stated, that everything possible be done
to bring the guilty individuals to justice as
quickly as possible