Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-14
Mr.. PAYNE SPEAKS
He Ordered the Post Office
Investigation.
WILL PUSH IT TO END
GUILTY PARTIES TO BE sUMMAR-
lily DEALT WITH.
Conferences With Messrs. Wynne and
Bristow-Work Being Done.
by Inspectors.

Payne yesterday made known in unmis-
| taxable terms his responsibility for the
| investigation that is now going on in the
| affairs of the Post Office Department, and
his determination to push the matter to the
limit. This statement puts at rest the ru-
mors that have gained considerable cur
rency to the effect that the investigation
was not instigated by the Postmaster Cen
eral. but was being carried on by his SUBJ
ordinates and when he returned to the office
| he would put a stop to the proceedings,
The statement places the responsibility for
| the inquiry at the place from which it was
stated to have emanated in the columns of
The Star more than a month ago-in the
| office of the Postmaster General himself
| and. in indirect manner. in the White
House. The statement follows:
Mr.. Payne's Statement.
During the months of January and Feb
| uary information and reports reached me
| which 1 deemed 1t for the public interest
| to investigate, and 1, personally, gathered
| such information and facts as would en-
| able the proper officers of the department
to undertake a thorough investigation as
to the truth ar falsity of these reports.
| directed Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gem
| eral Bristow to take the proper steps to
y
| that purpose the post office inspectors d.
| vision and such other methods as would
| thoroughly ascertain the truth falsity of
| the charges or insinuations made, and he
was instructed to proceed promptly and
| with vigor during my absence. Since my
| return this morning. l have not seen Gen
| eral Bristow. so that l am not advised of
! the progress made The investigation will
continue and if any wrongdoing IS disclosed
the parties guilty of such wrongdong will
be summarily dealt with If the system or
method of doing business in the department
is faulty. the proper remedies will be APP
piled without fear or favor. l inaugurated
the investigation with the determination
that 1T should be exhaustive. 1t is proper
for me to add that laid before the Presi-
dent the informant which l had in my
possession. and that he fully approved of
the action proposed by me-"
20. Progress of the Investigation.
Mr. Payne will have nothing to say be-
yond what is contained in the statement
1t is intimated at the department that he
desires that this shall be the position
which he will rest until the investigation is
completed. The charges and countercharges
that have been filed with the department
against the various officials are in the
hands of the inspectors for investigation.
AT this stage of the proceedings every
charge. no matter of what character or
whom it is directed against is turned over
to the inspectors Tor a 1ull luVeSCRauOH
There is no attempt made by some of the
officials of the department to conceal the
fact that they consider some of the charges
as absolutely absurd, and 1T is confidently
expected, even by those who are prosecut-
ing the investigation, that this will be
found to be the case. Some of the charges
are filed against the officials of the depart
ment by business concerns or private ind1-
viduals who have endeavored to secure
contracts with the department and have
failed, and who, it is intimated, have re-
sorted to this means to vent their spleen.
The Post Office Department has hundreds
of contracts for all kinds of supplies, and
it Is not possible that among the number
of bidders who annually present proposals
to furnish some of these supplies there
should not be one or two who would re-
sort to personal attacks if they thought
they had been misused. The presentation
of one set of charges is but the signal for
the bringing in of others, SO that the result
is that the inspectors of the department
have their hands full in pushing their in
quiry.
When these inspectors have finally finish
ed their Investigations they will present re-
ports to the fourth assistant postmaster
general under whose supervision they are
working, and with the inspectors to advise
and prompt him the fourth assistant will go
over each of the reports and combine them
in a general report to the Postmaster Cen
eral. These facts found in this report
will form the basis of whatever reorganiza-
ton is to be accomplished in the depart
Payne receives from his subordinateS these
reports, and until that time he does not
desire to discuss the investigation.
An Extended Conference.
Mr. Payne, Mr.. Bristow, the fourth as
sistant, and Mr.. Wynne, the first assistant,
held an extended conference yesterday af-
ternoon and today Mr.. Payne and Mr.. Bris-
tow were together for a short time. 1t is
understood that the investigation formed
the principal topic Of their conversation
During his absence in the West Indies two
vacancies have occurred in the force Of ths
postal department which Mr.. Payne will fill
within short time. These vacancies were
created by the resignation of Mr.. Beavers
as superintendent of the division Of salaries
and allowances and that of Judge Tyner
from the position of assistant attorney gen.
eral for the Post Office Department. No in
timation has been given, so far, by the
Postmaster General as to when he viii NIL
these vacancies, but 1t is believed he has
picked out his man for the first position
and will wait until he can consult President
Roosevelt about the second. 1t is believed
that Mr. c. M. Waters, the present acting
SUPERINTENDENT of the division of salaries
and allowances will be placed in the posi-
ton of superintendent permanently. Mr..
Waters holds the official title of assistant
superintendent of the division and is con-
sidered an able man.
Denied by Mr.. Machen-
charge against Mr.. A. w. Machen to
the effect that he accepted loan of money
in consideration for an appointment in the
postal service was given considerable pub
licity this morning. 1t was alleged that a
woman applied to him for a position, and
some time later some friends of Mr.. Machen
called on the woman and secured for Mr..
Machen the loan Of $780, The woman sub
sequently was appointed to position I'm
the postal service and after serving else
where finally became clerk In the depart
ment here. After several endeavors sle
secured, 1t is said. repayment of the loan
Mr.. Machen stated that he knew of the
case and branded the story as false. Mr..
Machen has stated throughout the proceed
ings that he desires that his office shall be
investigated to the fullest extent and ex- :
presses himself as confident that thorough ;
investigation will show no wrongdoing o.
attempts therefor.