New-York tribune., 1903-09-01
HALT IN POSTAL INQUIRT.
President Seeking Reason for Ap-
parent StagHatiOr.
rFsoM he rR1suSE BrpEArI


Washington, Aug. 31-Stagnation appears 70
have recently permeated the Investigations ot
the postal scandals What is the reason for IL
is being asked by every one interested in the
cleaning out of the Postof1ce Augean stables.
and the President himself has twice summoned
prominent officials 70 oyster Bay recently 70 as
certain at first hand the occasion Of the apparent
lack Of energy which is characterizing the in
quiry. Since the last Indictment. Of August w.
Machen, which occurred on July 81 and the
citement attending the failure 10 arrest George
W Beavers after his indictment about the same
tine. there has been no development Of impor-
tance in the postal investigation. notwithstand-
ing the fact that there are numerous employees
whose 1litness 70 be retained in thA service has
Keen demonstrates
One Of the most inexpIica bic features Of the
situation is the retention on the payrclls Of the
department of George a 6. Christiancy TO
whom was granted an unlimited leave Of ab-
sence" on April *. and who since that time
has performed no service in return for the sal
ary he has drawn regularly.
On June % The Tribune called attention 70
the peculiar status OF H. H Rand confidential
clerk to the Postmaster General. who was then
said by the Postmaster General To be under
Investigation but who was performing the
duties Of the Office 70 which he had been ap-
pointed. and who permitted 70 draw his
salary only on certihcaticn to the auditor that
Rand was himself conducting an investiga-
ton" Rand disappeared r1ysterfously from the
Postof1ce Department on July ? and has not
since been at his Office although hts salary has
been drawn regularly.
As long ago as July II The Tribune pub
lshed the names of i've officials whose dis
missal from the public service had then been de-
termined upon. Since that time one Of these
Hedges. has been summarily dismissed The
other four still continue draw their salaries
In fact. IL is known 70 those acquainted with the
inner workings Of the investigation that there
are numerous officials Of whose maIfeasanCe the
investigators are morally convinced although
there may not be sufficient evidence to send
them TO the penitentiary and the question is
naturally asked Why are these men retained in
good standing on the rolls If the Postofficee
On July - the President sent for Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General Bristow to learn
from him the inside Of this peculiar situation.
and within the last week Mr. Roosevelt has
summoned to oyster Bay Assistant Attorney
General Robh. with a view learning from
him the cause Of the lack of expedition. Mean
while officials morally. IL not legally. convicted
of the gravest offences are enjoying their vaCa-
tic ls. while their salaries continue. and every
inquiry for information at the POstofHce De
partment is met with the Postmaster Generals
IacOuC reply. Il have nothing to say or with
assurance from his subordinates that they
are under strict orders not to talk.
As far back July II Postmaster General
Payne announced that the end in sight
and now the inquirer for information is advised
that the investigation will last we'll into Oc-
tober. al least hut there has been no tangible
evidence for fully two months that progress is
being made and indictments long ago predicted
by high officials have not Vet heen found
The situation is most peUplexing 70 all who
have followed closely the extraordinary chain
Of events in the postOfiee scandals which the
President has urged should he probed with all
possible expedition.