The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-15
HASTEN CHARGES
 ARE INVESTIGATED Allegations of Crookedness
 Made by Terry OTHER CASES CONSIDERED The Resignation of George A. Chris tlaney VIII Not Be Acted Upon
 Until Mir. Payne Returns
 From Vacation.
OTHER CASES CONSIDERED

Washington, July 14-The postoffice in- spectors are Investigating charges made against Charles M. Masten, now assistant superintendent of the railway mail ser- vice, and formerly chief clerk of the first assistant postmaster generals office. A man named Terry, now in the government service. has made an affidavit before the inspectors alleging that Masten, while chief clerk to the first assistant postfnas- ter general proposed that Terry pay him $50 down and ss or s10 month to secure reinstatement In a former position in Masten's bureau. Charges that he was originally $500 employe in the dead let ter office. that he was removed under an order of Masten and put Into the city postoffce; that he protested and finally that Masten suggested his getting an out side party, a close friend of Masten and a former employe of the postal service, to help him..
 The affidavit alleges that Masten gave Terry assurance that if he paid the amount mentioned, he could get it back; that he went to Masten's house about the matter, but did not pay the money. Terry charges that subsequently he made an affidavit making these charges and handed It to Masten to present to First Assistant Postmaster General Johnson, and that the affidavit did not reach John son. According to the charges, Masten subsequently, was asked by Terry for the affidavit and refused to return It, and Terry thereupon placed the information before the civil service commission who took up the matter with the President.
 Jury Considering Important Cases.
 The federal grand jury in this city Is considering several important postoffice cases which are expected to prove of widespread interest. Postmaster General Payne said thls afternoon that he expect ed there would be some important news during his absence on his trip along the coast, and that he expected the grand jury would furnish some interesting de- velopments. There is no definite infor- nation available as to the identity of the cases, but the jury has been working on them for some time. An agreement has been reached between the postoffice de- partment and the civil service commission regarding the transfer of employees from other departments to the postoffce de- partment. The new regulations provide that in such transfers it must be shown tiidl lH6 pSISOH lO De ITdnSIeTTeQ VIII De employed on work similar to that pre- viously performed by him, and that his qualifications will enable him to perform such work better than a person selected from the eligible register of the commits sion The pending investigation has dis closed number of irregular transfers.
 Resignation Discussed.
 The resignation of George A. Chris tancy who was given a leave of absence as law clerk of the department shortly after the sensational rinlng of the as- sistant attorney generals safe by Mrs Tyner, has been under discussion at the department, but there will be no final ac- ton before Postmaster General Payne's return to the city. Payne will leave here tomorrow morning and will go possibly up to the Maine coast. He said tonight that he had not made his vacation plans yet, but that he would like to revisit Po- land Springs, Me. if possible. He expects to be away most of August.
 The report of the inspectors in the case of the General Manifold company of Franklin, Pa, which employs a son of William Land Voight, formerly chief of the railway division, with whom the com pany had dealings. and now chief of the classification division, has not yet been submitted to the postmaster general.