The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-12

Washington. May S.-The inveStJga-
ton Ct the affairs of the postoffice
department which has been dragging
lalOng Tor two MONTHS, took a senSa-
Itional turn late this afternoon when
by order of POSTMASTER General Payne,
August w. Nachen, general superin-
.Itendent of the free delivery system,
and one of the most widely known
government officials in the United
Estates, was relieved from his duties
and PostOffice Inspector NJ. c.. Fosnes
was designated to take charge of that
service. The change will take effect
Tomorrow morning when Mr.. Fosnes
Will assume charge OF the free deIiv-
cry service ard at the same time mat
service will pass under the control Cf
The Office of the fourth assistant post
master general. Heretofore it has
lbeen nde the jurisdiction of the first
assistant.
The action Of the postmaster general
was taken on the written recom1nen-
Idation. Of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow, who is directing the
investigation of the affairs of the de
|partment, that the transfer of Mr..
IMachen's bureau from his jurisdiction
and its administration by a postoffice
inspector would expedite the investi-
|gation. In ordering the change re-
commended, the postmaster general
lgaVe Mr.. Machen leave of absence
until the investigation is concluded"
Mr.. Machen promptly acquieSced in
THE. decision Of the postmaster general,
taking occasion to say in doing so that
The courted the fullest investigation of
ibis Official conduct.
Mr.. Machen has been under fire ever
Isince the investigation began. Charges
lof 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 the postofice
patrons, particularly on rural mail
routes, the furnishing of advance in
formation regarding the selection Of
routes and the appointment of car
lriers, etc.
There also has been q conflict be-
tween Mr.. Machen and First Assistant
POSTMASTER Wynne ever since the lat
tier assumed office. Mr.. Wynne charged
Mr.. Machen with characterization. The
lstrained relations etwee the head of
the free delivery service and other of
~Iicials resulted in an embarrassing
state of affairs, and for several months
correspondence between the general
superintendent of the free delivryIser-
lvlce and his immediate superior, the
first assistant postmaster general, has
tbeen con3ucted on the part of the for
lmer, through one of his s~ubordlnates.
Mr.. BristOw all along has been of the
lopiniOn that the best interests of the
service Woul be subserved by the re-
lGef Of Mr.. Machen, and has pointed out
Ito the postmaster general that that
faction was i~mperatively necessary to
the successful conduct Of the investi.
igatIon.
Postmaster General Payne in dis
Icussing the matter said his conclusion
to relieve Mr. Nachen was reached
yesterday after office hours. Mr.. Bris-
tow. he sac, had come to his Office
and they q a conference, during
(which Mr.. EristCW presented his letter
requesting to be put into full control
IOf the office as Il necessary step to ex-
| ipedita the Investigation. He declined
Ito say whether the changes made
lWoulG be permanent, saying that de-
t tpendeE on the result of the investIga-
ton.
Mr Machen came here from Toledo
90, in 1899, and qualified as superinten-
| idant Of the free delivery service on
May If hat year. Since then the Of
| ihc@ his grown to immense proportions
land he rural free delivery mail ser
Twice has been introduced and intended
l Ito cover all parts of the country.
Mr. Fosnes is best known in con
lnection with his Investigation Of the
D.. Ip~oStofzice frauds in Cuba. On the sen.
Isatlonal dismissal of Este G.. Rathbone
- Mr. FOsnes was appointed director
general Of tie posts of Cuba.
Ex-hepresentative Loud. of Cali.
IfOrni@-. who vas chairman Of the house
CONN ittee on postofficas and pos,
irOads has sent much time during the
Ipast tEO or three days IN conference
with Postmaster General Payne, frs
assistant Postmaster General Wynne
iand Fourth assistant Postmaster Gen.
Ieral BrIstCW. Mr. Loud and Mr.
IMachen have been at odds officially
for nearly tg"O years and it is believed
that the counsel of Mr.. Loud has fig.
lured III todGy's developments.
First Assistant Postmaster Genera
lWynnae leF the city today for {
short vacation.