The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-26
Omcfa1 Who Was i'm the once when
the Indianian's Wife Had an Ex-
pert Open the safe.
HE DEMANDED AN INQUIRY
STATING THAT HE COURTED THE
FULLEST INVESTIGATION.
Postmaster General i'm Doubt as 10
Whether All the stolen Papers
Were Submitted to Him.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. April 25.-Postmaster
General Payne will submit to the Depart
ment of Justice on Monday a package OF
official papers abstracted from a safe in the
department last Tuesday by Mrs. Tyner.
wife OF James N. Tyner, former assistant
attorney general Of the postal service.
Whether these papers, acknowledged by
Mrs. Tyner to have been taken from the
department by her, together with personal
property of her husband, can be used as a
basis for criminal proceedings remains to
be seen. The whole matter is now before
Attorney General Knox, and IT is for him
to decide what course the government shall
pursue.
There were two important Developments
in the Postoffice Department to-day. One
was the return to the department OF a
package stated by counsel for General and
Mrs. Tyner to be the identical one removed
from the safe by the latter. The other was
the demand of George A. Christiancy. who
is the acting law officer of the department..
that his official acts be investigated by the
postmaster general and. pending such in
vestigation, that he be relieved OF all re-
sponsibility in the department.
The papers brought to the department to-
day by Michener and Perry. representing
General Tyner, were carefully examined
in the presence of the postmaster general.
General Bristow and the two attorneys.
After a careful scrutiny Of each paper and
document, the task taking about two hours,
1t was announced that the papers exhibited
were found TO be the property of General
Tyner with the exception OF one package.
which is official in its nature. Ii Is said 10
relate to a confidential investigation made
by General Tyner some four or five years
ago, and that ii has no connection what
ever with any official or company involved
in the present affair.
The question is naturally asked by the
officials whether the package submitted
to the postmaster general to-day contained
all of the papers taken from the depart
ment 1t is contended by the Tyners that
nothing was withheld. At the same time
the inference is naturally drawn that IL
the safe contained anything of an incrimi-
prove that such was the case.
Postmaster General Payne said to-day
that it was his intention to relieve Mr..
Christiancy from further service In the de-
partment pending an investigation in ac-
cordance with the request made to-day.
Attorney General Knox will be requested
on Monday to designate a man competent
to handle the law affairs of the Postoffice
Department until the present inquiry is
concluded.
AS far as can be learned no charges have
been flied against Mr.. Christiancy but his
official acts and his record are subject TO
inquiry, the investigation extending TO every
official and all the constituent bureaus OF
the postal service. Mr.. Christiancy has
been criticised for failure in not promptly
calling to the attention of the postmaster
general the presence of Mrs. Tyner and
Mrs. Barrett in the Office OF the assistant
attorney general. The two women re-
mained in the room nearly an hour. it ap-
pears, before Mr.. Christiancy's suspicion
became aroused as to their purpose. Con-
siderable interest was manifested to-day In
a statement made public by Mr.. Christian
cy In which he denies emphaticaliy the as
sertions of Harrison ]. Barrett that he
(Christiancy) gave Mrs. Tyner every as
sistance possible in removing the papers
from the department safe. 1t is understood
that Mr. Barrett will insist upon an inves-
tigation as to his connection with get
rich-quick' concerns. The postmaster gen.
eral said to-day that Mr.. Barrett would be
given a hearing in due time.
JOHN K. MONK.