The Washington times., 1903-05-10
Officials of PoStojtIce Regard
Suspension Of Supezln-
tendenf as beginning Of
His Official End.
General Expectation Thai
His D!UlsEoH VII Be
Permanently Assigned 10
Fourth Assistant

Fourth ASSISTANT
Postmaster General Payne said yester-
day afternoon there was nothing new TO
announce in tie matter Of the suspen-
sion of y w Macher. general superin-
tendont OF the free delivery system,
who was relieved from duty on Friday.
There was a vague impression abroad
that some of the eight sub-chiefs under
Mr. Machen. who are located in differ
ent parts of the country. might be sus-
pended. but if such action was taken it
was not announced. There was also
belief that Mr.. Payne might announce
yesterday the suspension of some of the
other chiefs of Postofice Department
divisions whose names have been men,
toned in various charges. but they also
remain undisturbed.
The presence OF Senator Lodge at the
Postofice Department for week and a
series of conferences with Mr.. Payne
were taken by Mr. Machen and his
friends as an Indication that something
was brewing. and there was not a great
deal OF surprise, consequently, when the
suspension came. Mr.. Machen SAYS he
Is making no effort 10 organize his
friends for his defense, but should the
report on the investigation recommend
his dismissal, it is probable there Will
be fierce clash of political interests.
Mr.. Machen's reported illness proved
to be not serious. He was seen last
night, and said he had spent the dav
going over private papers at his home.
He expects to stay in Washington dur
Ing the investigation, and will devote
himself to the details OF the coal busl-
ness in which he and his brother are in
terested.
Requested by Mr.. Bristow.
Postmaster General Payne based the
suspension OF Mr.. Machen on a request
from ]. L. Bristow. Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General, and the latter ac-
credited his desire that Mr.. Machen be
temporarily suspended to a belief that
the inquiry might be conducted in a
more expeditions and satisfactory man
ner" If Mr.. Machen did not remain in
active control OF his office and clerical
force.
Concerning the belief that Mr.. MacheD
is not to be restored TO Office various
officials of the Postofice Department.
whose names cannot be used tor obvious
reasons-assert that Mr. Bristow has al
ready developed sufficient information tc
make Mr.. Machen's removal a matter
OF imperative necessity 1t is said that
this information has been obtained from
the regular and routine record of his
CT = It is said further. that it is so con
elusive as TO impress even he mosl
biased of Mr.. Machen's friends. But it i.
also said, and this point is of the utmost
significance in view of Mr.. Bristow's
recent request, that if these records hac
not substantiated the charges against
the superintendent, the case against hin
must have failed, as the inspectors have
examined no other records.
The Transfer of the Office.
The belief that the division of fire.
delivery viii hereafter be under the di.
rection Of the Fourth Assistant Post.
master General prevails general,
among these same officials. In SUPPORT
OF il they indicate that it is the larges
bureau in the department; that il ha,
grown until 1t involves the First AS.
sistant Postmaster General in more de.
tan than one man can reasonably hop,
to handle; that the First Assistant wa,
already laden with a full share Of de
tails. and that the Fourth Assistant
Office is most available for this add.
tion to its !a5ors.
II is known that since the organiza
ton Of the first county rural deliver
service air. Nachen has aimed at tn
creation Of a new bureau correspond
ing 70 those OF the Assistant Postmas
tiers General. which should deal exclu
siveiy with the delivery OF mali and O
wlrfch he should be the head But tht
movement is now regarded as dead
However fully ne may be INDICATED, tn,
officials of the department seem to thinl
it impossible that he should now b.
made an Assistant Postmaster General
President RooseveIt's Interest.
Broad hints were dropped yesterda.
morning that President Roosevelt ha
had hand IN the suspension of MIR Ma
chen, and that other prominent of
fcials Of the department who have con
tinued the even tenor of their ways an,
remained in full possession OF their pri
vate and official papers when inspector
were supposed to be searching the in
most recesses OF The department ar
chives are now due to take a long rest
IN this connection the name most per
sistently mentioned was that OF MIchae
W. Louis, superintendent OF the division
OF postotice supplies.
No formality was observed in shiftin,
the burdens and responsibilities Of tn
division from the shoulders OF MI
Machen 10 those OF Mr. Fosnes.
Inspector E. Il. Thorpe, Of the Brook
lyn Office. was at once detailed as assist
ant. He Will direct the affairs Of tn
Office through orders from Mr. Fosnee
thus enabling the latter 10 conduct tn
inquiry now in progress Of the Posrolic