Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-18
Indiscretion Charged Against
Superintendent of Money
Order System
AWARD OF PRINTING CONTRACTS
MetcaIf's Acts Suggest Discrimina-
ton in Favor Of Firm by Whom His
Son is etcalf Admits
He May Have Erred in Judgment
But Denies Motive of Wrane- Doing.
Of Wrong Doing.

Washington June 1S.-As a result oi
ing to the award of contracts for print
ing the money order forms of the gov
eminent, James T. Metcalf, for many
years superintendent of the money or
der system of the postotfice department
was removed from office by the post
master general today. A full invests
CATION of the case will be made later
The dismissal is the result of acts OF
Mr.. Metcalf in opposition to the bid
of Paul Herman of Rutherford, N. j.,
the lowest bidder by $4,000, and ii
favor OF the next higher bidder. the
Wynkoop- NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. COM
pary, of New York. of which Mr.. Net
calls son is an employe.
Postmaster General Payne, in an
nouncing his action, stated that there
done anything that is anenabie to the
law, but said that his conduct was a
serious indiscreuon that could not be
overlooked. Mr. Metcalf. he said. al
ways has been considered a faithful,
efficient, painstaking and honest en-
ploye.
The postmaster general said that no
consideration had been given yet to
the appointment Of a successor. but
that the duties of superintendent for
the present would devolve on Mr.. Met
calls assistant. He is Edward f. Kim
ball, of Massachusetts, who has been
in the service seventeen years.
Mr.. Metcalf originally was appointed
from Iowa and has been in the postal
service since 1882. During his admin
istration OF the office the money order
service has been widely extended by
mutual agreements with a large num-
Der of foreign governments turnout the
world. and Mr. .Metcalf has had cordial
personal relations with many foreign
postal officials. His salary was $4,000
a year
James T. Metcalf IS brother of
George Metcalf, the postmaster at Lam
sing. Metcalf's letter of removal came
to him be special messenger from the
postmaster general and was delivered
at his home shortly before 6 o'clock.
The letter of removal is harsh and in
In an Interview Tuesday night Met
calf says he had not the slightest in
timaton that such action was contem-
plated or that he was in any manner
under the ban. The first hint was his
Metcalf denies in most en-
phatic and solemn manner that he has
been guilty of any wrong doing or i'm
propriety. His son. Norman, has been
in the employ of the Wynkoop- Hallen-
beck Crawford company for six years
He secured the position at 81 per week
and has risen solely by his own efforts.
He has never received any favors or
on account of his fathers
with the postoffice. Met
calf says during the sixteen years the
company have had the con-
tract, he (MetcalD has never plutited
one cent or had single concession
from Hallenbeck or any one else. He !
says Paul Herman, the lowest bidder,
had but $1,000 cash with which to es-
ablish the necessary $4,000 plant and
undertake 100000 job of printing.
He sent an inspector to look Herman
~,
IN empty loft in building, but had
10 machinery.
Mr.. Metcalf says he has always been
friend of Herman, and talked with
Herman as he would talk to his son. |
Metcalf had handled the contract so !
ong he knew Herman was simply era |
~ in making such bid, and would lose
lot only his $1,000, but cost his friends |
n case they would back him, a great I
leal Of money. From purely friendly |
motives Metcalf says he sought to |
,ring about an understanding between
he Hallenbeck company and Herman
70 that the contract could be closed
detcalf says the specifications require
hat the contract must be let to a re-
ponsible person having the necessary
and he feared that to award
he contract to Herman, who had
leither money or plant, would subject
lin to censure.
The Hallenbeck company protested
t Hermans bid, and characterized ii
s fake bid. Metcalf admits he may
ave erred in judgement in undertake
ng to bring Herman and the Hallen
eek company together. but he says his
motive was pure and With a view to
naking sure that the contract would
e fulfilled.
He says Herman has turned on him
nd used a conversation informal and
urely friendly to make 1t appear that
Ietcalf was unduy interested in the
fallenbeck company getting the con-
ract.
When seen at late hour Tuesday
light, Metcalf was much depressed. He
aid he had given his best service for
years to the government
nd never had suspicion cast against
i'm. He had never committed an of
cial act of which he was ashamed
nd is absolutely innocent of any
-long-doing in this case. He has not
eceded what course TO pursue.
Attorney Mammon Convicted.
Now convict ed -