The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-14

The magnitude of this departments development in recent years can be seen in the fact that for the fiscal year 1902 the increase of the receipts over the year preceding was q, ,6ss 7S6 greater than the gross receipts for the year 1860.
 The opportunities for graft in the de- partment have constantly grown with this tremendous development, and there Is no branch, 1t Is now said. in this or any other government, which affords such a wide field of operations for an official of dishonest intentions as the United States postoffice and its scores of bureaus and divisions.
 The present scandal was first brought to public attention a year ago in a mild manner, when Gen. James N. Tyner, Chief of the Law Department of the postoffice, was charged with collision with the "get rich quick concerns which had been denied the use of the mails
 This investigation was carried on very quietly until First Asst ,tant Postmaster General Robert J. Wynne, a new man in the Department. became responsible for an inquiry of much wider scope. The scandal has now grown to such an extent that it involves almost the entire De- partment.
 The reputation of a Cabinet officer, ae well as that of all his assistants, is at stake in the thoroughness and prompt ness of the inquiry. This Cabinet off, cer is vice chairman of the Republican National Committee and a man known in national politics for many years.
 On the outcome of this scandal and the present investigation also depends the fate of the Roosevelt administration, pos- sibly the success of the Republican Party in the next national election.
 The Star Route frauds have not been forgotten. The present situation in the Doe tffF1 l..
 knowing the present extent of the 'scan- dal to be more far-reaching than any other in the history of the Department Four Divisions Under investigation.
 Four important divisions are at present under investigation, and in all of them very serious charges have been made. These are the divisions of free delivery, A. w. Machen, general superintendent; of supplies, M. A. w. Louis, superintend- ent; of salaries and allowances, George w. Beaver, general superintendent re- signed under fire, and the law depart ment of the postoffice. James N. Tyner Assistant Attorney General, removed
 Another result of the scandal up to date besides those already enumerated, was the relieving from duty, pending in- qury, of George A. Christiancy, an as- sistant attorney in charge of the law de- partment after General Tyners retire ment.
 The most important scandals fin these divisions, in which serious allegations of misconduct in office are made, may be thus enumerated:
 Collision of the chief of. the law de- partment with illegal concerns denied the use of the mails.
 Operations of the alleged Machen-Beav- CT ring for the distribution of patron age and the selling of postoffice promo tions.
 Unusual and illegal methods employed in the division of salaries and allowances,
 Alleged connection of Superintendent Machen with mail box companies and other contractors for supplies in his di- vision.
 Distribution of supplies to various post offices in the country In excess of their needs.
 Collision in the supply department with l favored contractors.
 While these are the important scandals, | there are many other charges constantly coming to the Postmaster General involv- | ing various officials of minor importance. Altogether. MT. Bristow has at work in | various parts of the country from fifteen | to twenty postoff1ce inspectors.