The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-15
Postoffice Officials Would
Publish Report and An
nounce Machen's Resigna-
ton Late In June.
Results of Investigation to Be
Given to Press, Edited by
Postmaster General--Ma-
chen to Concur.

Information obtained from sources or
dinarily accepted as reliable indicate
that the Postoffice authorities have prac-
ticaIIy accepted the following as the
program for further proceedings in con-
nection with the case of A. W. Machen.
superintendent of the free delivery sys-
tenn:
The report compiled by Inspector
Fosnes and submitted by J. L. Bris-
tow, Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral, will be given to the press by the
Postmaster General some time late in
June.
This report, OF that part of it which
is given to the newspapers, will indi-
cate certain minor acts of poor admins
tration on the part of Mr.. Machen and
suggest that these are results of the in
vestigation without indicating that they
are the entire result
With this report the Postmaster Cen
eral will submit statement that Mr..
Machen has resigned.
The confidence which is prerequisite
to the formulation of any such plan as
this is based. it is said, on many things.
To Persuade Mr Machen.
1t is accepted that Mr.. Fosnes has
developed a sufficient number of irregu-
larities to persuade Mr.. Machen that
discretion is in this case, as elsewhere,
the better part of valor, and that he
would do well TO concur in this plan.
Such argument as is needed II is
thought, may be found in the report and
! in the assurance that the report as
given TO the public viii be eonserva-
lively handled by the authorities Of. the
department.
The time fixed is based upon pre-
sumption that Mr.. Fosnes has practi-
cally concluded his labors and that
nothing remains further except the cier-
ical labor of preparing the report. This
would, ordinarily. not take so long
time. But the care needed. st. in
framing such an Instrument and second,
in examining it with Mr. Machen, makes
an allowance of two or three weeks ex-
ira the course of wisdom
The Results Expected.
Such program, fulfilled with the co.
operation OF the newspapers. is expected
10 close this phase OF the Pcstofiee
scandal finally. Mr.. Machen viii have
been convicted of incompetency as an
manifested its purpose to detect wrong
doing and punish the wrongdoer These
results will have been accomplished,
moreover. with no further demoraliza-
tion of the office force than was inevi-
table under the circumstances
Manifestly, any such plan as this IS
subject to revision. According 10 GER
tain Postofice officials It is also sub
ject to some interruption. 1t is pointed
out Mr.. Machen may not concur in sny
such plan; that an edited report may
be less satisfactory 10 the general reader
than no report at all; that the suspicion
of inactivity in pressing the Bristow r.--
port to its logical Observation-Disclosures
they may be-will rather arouse further
public sentiment than quiet what al
ready exists. Eut the program set forth
is that now accepted by the authorities
of the department.
Statements as to Rural Routes
r. J. Wynne. First Assistant POST
master General, said this morning that
no order had ever been given prohibit
ing the posting OF the names OF the
patrons served on the rural free delivery
routes, but that the practice of sending
out the names TO manufacturers had
been discontinued.
Postmaster General Payne said this
morning that rural free delivery drivers
have always been allowed to do a gen
eral express and errand business, as
they would not take the position other
wise, but that the drivers must not act
in the capacity of solicitors for favorite
merchants or manufacturers