The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-05-15
MACHEN |SSUSPENDEO
Second Victim of the Probe Post.
master General Payne Is
Using So Vigorously.
TWO CHIEFS WERE "AGIN" MAOHEN
Bristow and Wynne, Besides Ex-Rep-
resentative Loud-Strained Re
lations for Some Time.

Washington, May 9.-The investiga-
ton of the affairs of the postofiice de-
partment, which has been dragging
along for two months, has taken SEN
sational turn, and by Postmaster Gen
eral Paynes order August w. Machen,
general superintendent of the free de-
livery system, and one of the most
widely-known government officials in
the United States, has been relieved
from his duties, and POstotiice lnspec-
tor Nj. c. FOsnes designated TO take
charge of that service. The change
took effect this morning. when EOsnes
assumed charge of the free delivery
service, and at the same time that
service passed under the control of the
office of the fourth assistant postmas-
ter general. Heretofore it has been
under the jurisdiction of the first as
sistant.
Machen Courts Investigation.
The action Of the postmaster general
was taken on The written recommends
ton of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General BriStow, who is directing the
investigation of the affairs of the de-
partment, that the transfer of Mach
ems bureau to his jurisdiction and
its administration by a postofiice in
spector would expedite the investiga-
ton. In ordering the change recon-
mended the postmaster general gave
Machen leave of absence until the in
vestigatiOn is concluded" Machen
promptly acquiesced in the decision Of
the postmaster general, taking occasion
to say In doing 50 that he courted the
fullest investigation of his official con-
duct.
Machen Had Been Under Fire.
Machen has been under fire ever
since the investigation began. Charges
of various kinds have been preferred
against the administration Of the free
delivery branch of the postal service.
These included allegations of collision
with letter-boX manufacturers in the
furnishing of boxes to postofIice pa
irons, particularly on rural mailrOutes;
the furnishing of advance information
regarding the selection of routes and
the appointment Of carriers, etc.
Another DInicuIty Noted.
There also has been Il conflict be-
tween Machen and First Assistant
Postmaster General Wynne ever since
the latter assumed office. Wynne
charges Machen with characterization.
The strained relations between the
head Of the free delivery service and
other officials resulted in an embar-
RAISING state of affairs, and for sew
eral months correspondence between
the general superintendent of the free
delivery service and his immediate SUI
perior. the first assistant postmaster
general. has been conducted OH the
part f the former, through one of his
Subol linates.
Did Loud influence the Action?
Elk Representative Loud, of Califor-
mia, who was chairman of the house
committee on postofiices and post
roads, has spent much time during the
past two or three days in conference
with Payne. Wynne and BriStow. Loud
and Machen have been at odds official
~ for nearly two years. and it is be-
lieved that the counsel Of Loud has
figured i'm the foregoing developments.
Postmaster General Payne dismissed
James lower, fireman employed in
the postOflice department as a result
of charges that Dover recently filed
against Chief Engineer James O'Don-
nell and other superior officers. Dover
alleged that a ring TO govern promo
tions and other matters existed i'm the
engine room and that improper con
tracts had been made. The charges
We're investigated by a postofiice in
spector and tie report does not sus-
tain them.
EXTRA SESSION IN NOVEMBER