The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-02
Charles Emory Smith. Postmaster Mer-
ritt and Messrs. Bristow and
TraceweII Accused.
STATEMENT FROM MR.. PAYNE
TULLOCH's INsINUATIONS DENIED BY
CONTROLLER TRACEwELL.
Affairs at the indianapolis Postomce
Also to Be Investigated by the
Department..
to the indianapolis Journal.


/ WASHINGTON, May 1.-Postmaster Gen.
eral Payne has determined to run down sew
i eraI reports that have been circulated during
the past few days relative to the conduct
OF the postal service. The latest develop
ment incident TO the pending investiga-
ton is an interesting one and comes in
the form Of an interview with Seymour w.
Tulloch. of New York, at one time cashier
OF the Washington city postoffice in which
the statement is made that former Post
master General Charles Emory Smith and
Postmaster Merritt refused to fully investi-
4 gate certain serious charges made against
the administration of the Washington
Office that the inspectors under Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General Bristow were
called off, and that Robert ]. Tracewell,
of Indiana. controller of the treasury, who
had authorized an inquiry into the ac-
counts of the Washington office, suspended
II Just as 1T was becoming interesting"
Mr. Tulloch said: Direct personal and
political pressure was brought to bear upon
the controller, and the expert having it
in charge was removed for a too jealous
performance of his duty, presumably as
a warning to others. The postoffice in
spectors who were fully aware of the ex-
isting conditions, were informed that If
they presumed too much they too would
also be removed. / am credibly informed
that General Bristow stood steadfastly by
his men and demanded thorough investi-
CATION. This was refused by Postmaster
General Smith,
The charges in question in no way affect
the administration of Postmaster General
Payne. They were made three or four
years ago. and 1t Is understood that as a
result of them Mr.. Tulloch was either re-
moved or failed of reappointment. The
postmaster general has determined to ascer-
tain the exact facts In this connection, and
for that reason he to-day addressed formal
letters TO Charles Emory Smith, Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow,
Postmaster Merritt and Robert j. Trace
well, controller Of the treasury.
The charges made in this connection, -
said Postmaster General Payne to-day, "re-
fleet seriously on four men whose standing
has never before been questioned. They de-
mand careful inquiry, and Mr.. Tulloch
will be given opportunity to prove them.
Most of all the allegations made against
the conduct of the service UP to date have
been OF a wild nature and many Of them
have been anonymous. 1t is our purpose
10 sift the whole matter 10 the bottom and
case Mr.. Tulloch makes his charges open
ly and specifically giving names and dates,
and a particular case that is said to have
been under investigation. A man who
makes such statements should be IN po-
sition to prove them. Nothing will be done
until 1 have heard from the gentlemen
who are named in Mr.. Tulloch's interview,
and then / shall be prepared to act
1f 81, cror of Tfi1-
loch concerning his investigation OF the
Washington postoffice. three four years
ago. Controller Tracewell said: The al
legations of Mr. Tulloch are untrue. and
am prepared to prove it when receive the
communication of Postmaster General
Payne. 1 did make an inquiry into the af-
fairs Of the Washington office. and 1t was
done with great thoroughness. 1 spent
about two months on the task and found
Irregularities in the accounts, which were
promptly reported to the proper authori-
ties. These facts will all be gone into In
detail, and / am in position to say that
the records will completely disprove the
charges made by Mr.. Tulloch."
'No political or personal pressure was
brought to bear upon me-" said Mr.. Trace
well. IF such pressure had been brought
At would have accomplished nothing. Theirs
were irregularities which / took steps to
check, as papers on file in my office will
show"
WAS the expert who investigated the
postoffice accounts made an example off?
Mr.. Tracewell asked
HE was transferred from my office to
the sixth auditors office, which amounted
10 reduction" was the reply.
THAT was brought about for other rea-
sons as well as his manner OF investigating
the postoffce accounts. He was very eff
performed
tory manner. except that he was not suff-
ciently tactful in approaching people and
making requests for papers. First As
sistant Postmaster General Heath. he
added. had complained that the experts
manner was offensive Complaints of the
experts offensive manner also mad come
from the attorney generals office
the officials &c whom Mr.. Payne sent let
ter of inquiry. asked whether dis
bursements had been made In MS % ofnce
kept. No" he replied, mot during my IN
cumbency." He admitted there had been
where ,be ras o ana the cty
postoffice and had been detailed TO work In
the Postofffce Department
The rumor has been persistently cfrcu-
lated during the past few days that de-
uand had been made for the resignation OF
A W. Machen, superintendent OF free de-
livery The postmaster general to-day for
mally denied this report He said; The
fourth assistant postmaster general has not
asked for Machen's removal or suspension
II the fourth assistant should make such 9
request. and II should appear to be In tbs
best interests OF the service. or II 1t shouie
be shown that ,xea;nn Mr. Msensn "1s them ~ shouis
oct forthwith. No facts having Deen pre-