The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-25
TO PROSECUTE POSTAL CRIMES.
President Authorizes Attoney.Genera
Knox to Appoint Assistant Counsel.

President Authorizes Attomey.Gene
Knox TO Appoint Assistant Counsel.
WASHINGTON, June N-It il evident
that President Roosevelt Ia not only direct
ing the general inquiry into the Post Office
Department scandals, but that he intends
from now on to hurry it to speedy con-
clusion. This is shown by his action In
suggesting to Attorney-General Knox
the advisability Of appointing special
counsel to represent the Government in
the prosecution OF the criminal cases which
result from the investigation. 1t was
this suggestion by the President which
resulted in the selection Of Charles j. Bona
parte OF Baltimore and Holmes Conrad
of this city. formerly Solicitor General, to
perform the service. The Presidents let
ter to the Attorney General on this sub
ject reads as follows
WHITE HOUSE, |
WASHINGTON, June %. 1908
SIR: As you know. the charges In con-
nection with the Post once Department are
now being investigated by Fourth Assistant
Postm aster- General Brstow. who has had
placed at his disposal by the Postmaster
General every resource Of the Department.
including the services OF Mr.. Robb. whom
you detailed from the Department of jus
tce to the Post ONCE Department imme-
diately after the removal of Mr.. Tyner. As
a result Of this investigation number OF In
dictments have already been had and II Ia
probable that other indictments will hereafter
be asked for.
There can be no greater offence against
the Government than a breach of trust on
the part OF a public official. or the dishonest
management OF his office. and. of course.
every effort must be exerted to bring such
offenders to punishment by the utmost rigor
of the law. The District Attorneys office
OF the District Of Columbia has faithfully
and zealously seconded the efforts OF the
Post ONCE Department In this matter. but
the amount Of work in the Office Ia such as
to make 1t difficult. without neglecting other
important public duties. to devote all the
time necessary to the prosecution Of these
cases.
I suggest. therefore. that, II you cannot
detail some Of your present star. you ap-
point special assistants In these Post ONCE
cases. not only to take up the cases in which
indictments have been found or hereafter
may be found. but to examine into all charges
that have been made against officials in the
postal service. with view to the removal
and prosecution OF all guilty men in the ser
vice and the prosecution OF guilty men,
whether in the service or not. where the cases
are not barred by the statute OF limitations.
Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Hon. P. c. KNOX. Attorney General.
Mr.. Conrad, one of the special counsel
will arrive in Washington tomorrow morn
ing and will go Immediately to the White
House for a conference with President
Roosevelt and Attorney General Knox.
At this conference the investigation OF
postal service scandals. past and present,
will be thoroughly gone over and MIR Con-
rad will be made acquainted with the
President's desires In the matter. ~,
Since the President returned to Wash
ington from his Western trip the Post
master-General has not given the customary
daily 4 o'clock audience to the twenty-five
or thirty newspaper correspondents. 1t
Is understood to be the Presidents belief
that the informal remarks Of Mr.. Payne
at these scandal teas as they came to
be known, are responsible for much Of the
criticism that has been directed at that
official concerning the Tulloch charges
and other matters.
Now Mr. Payne admits the newspaper
reporters to his private office only when
he has nothing very important to give out
for publication.
The Federal Grand Jury will meet again
tomorrow and take up the alleged alumni
mum paint contract gratis and other matters
on which information has been presented
Officers Of the Post Office Department con-
fidently expect a number OF indictments
x,h no n<,,r, ,oIt 10