Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-07-24
CHARLES HEDGES
WAS DISCHARGED
Superintendent Of Free Deliy.
cry in Postoffice Depart
ment Is Removed.
SERIOUS CHARGES PREFERRED
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow Says He Falsif.ed Accounts
and Also Loaned His Travelling
Commission.

geS yesterday was removed from the
office of superintendent Of free dc!iv-
cry of the postofflce department on
the charge of classifying his diary and
lending his travelling commission. 1t
is charged that he reported himself at
various places, when in fact he was
not at those places on the dates men
toned, in some instances being hun
dreds of miles away. &
, The following is the official state.
nent of the case made public By
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Rristow:
Charles Hedges was today removed
from the Office of superintendent Of
free delivery for falsifying his diary,
and loaning his travelling commission.
He represented himself at various
places on public business, when in
fact he was not in those places on the
dates mentioned, but elsewhere, in
some instances hundreds Of miles dis
tant. On October rs, 1900, he states
under oath, in his diary, that he was a.
Joplin, Mo-, on extension Of free de-
livery service when in fact he was in
Mansfield, Ohio attending the funeral
Of former Secretary John Sherman.
On December Z, 1899, he reports him
self at San Antonio, Texas, 'investi-
eating carriers SERVICE while in facs
lie was in Mexico examining mining
property. In the month of October,
1899, A. w. Machen, superintendent Of
flee delivery, was sick with typhoid
fever, and Hedges was at the depart
ment acting as superintendent. In his
diary he states, under oath, that he
was at various places, namely, New
York, Philadelphia, Bridgeport, Conn.,,
Camden, N. j., and elsewhere, actual.
ly engaged in travelling on the bust.
ness of the free delivery service.
Assistant superintendent of free de-
livery are allowed a per diem of 81
per day in lieu of expenses for each
DAY engaged actually travelling on the
business of the department. Hedges
false statements as to his whereabouts
on these days were manifestly for tho
purpose of collecting per diem to
which he was not entitled"
Mr.. Hedges was appointed to the
postal service from the Tenth con.
gressional district of Texas on July /,
1896, and was appointed superintend-
ent of the free delivery July l, 1901.
His salary was $4,000 year. He had
charge of the delivery service in the
cities, the rural free delivery service
being under another superintendent,
and both being under the general SUI.
pcrvision of August w. Machen.
CHINA CAN'T OPEN PORTS.
Prince Ching Tells conser Russian
Troops Control Towns.
Picking, July 23.-Primce Ching, tho
president of the foreign Office, has
written to United States Minister Con.
ser, refusing to open towns in Man
churia. In his letter he dwells upon
the impossibility of China opening to
foreigners towns which are not in her
possession, but which are held by
Russian troops. and points out the
complications which would be likely
to follow. .s
1t is believed here, however that q
compromise may be reached by in.
Guiding one town-Ta Tung Kao-in
the new commercial treaty.
Washington, July 23.-Inasmuch as
the Chinese government very recently
has expressed it's willingness to yielG
to the desires of the United States TO,
open ports in Manchuria, the official
here are at loss to understand the
communication sent by Prince Chin;
to Minister Conger, refusing this COT,
cession. They have received no a..
vices on the subject. In some quarter
the objections urged to the opening r.
ports in Prince Chings communica.
ton are regarded as a mere dipIom ltic
cuibble, designed perhaps to placate
Russia. No matter what fresh oh.
stacle may intervene, our government,
firm in the conviction that the prin-
ciple OF the open door in China should
be enjoyed by all nations, will con.
tinue to exert it's influence in that d..
rection.
IT,, ,'. NAccIIIc A cIAu NEE I'm