Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-22
Papers in the Hands of Mr..
BristOW.
PRESIDENTS ACTION
MoRS RI g RDING MR.
pAYNE's RESIGNATION.
Reports Entirely Without Foundation
Quiet at the Post Office
Department.

The case of Mr. H. II. Rand. confidential
clerk to Postmaster General Payne, Is Gre
ating a good deal of talk at the department.
1t is said that when the President returned
from his western journey he was confront
ed by reports concerning Mr.. Rands con-
nection with certain concerns which he Is
alleged to have represented in the interest
Of selling stock to employees of the Post
Office DEPARTING mt.
When President Roosevelt called Mr.
Payne's attention to these reports the Post
master General explained to him that he
had several weeks before placed certain
letters in the hands of Mr.. Bristow, the
fourth assistant postmaster general, and
asked that official to make an investigation.
So far as known Mr.. Birstow has not be-
gun an investigation of the charges that
have been made both to the Postmaster
General and to the President. against Mr..
Rand. The general understanding is that,
If any investigation is made. and the Presf-
dent Is DESTROYS that one shall be made. it
Will come following the general investiga-
ton that Is now occupying the attention Of
Mr.. Bristow and his corps of inspectors.
Postmaster General Payne has beer Sc
verely criticised in some quarters for the
haste with which he acted in the case of
MIR. Metcalf superintendent of the money
order division, who was removed from office
within a few hours, while Mr.. Machen,
superintendent of free delivery, was per-
mitted to remain in office when. 1t is be-
1ieved, the Postmaster General knew that
his conduct of the office was not above
serious suspicion.
The case of Mr. Rand Is also pointed out
by the critics of the Postmaster General
who wonder that. under the circumstances,
grave charges having been made against
ND and no ncta ho1,
considered them of enough Importance to
request a thorough investigation. he should
not be at least suspended pending the in
vestigation that is to be made.
Rumors of Resignation.
The rumors that Mr.. Payne contemplates
resigning are without foundation. The
Postmaster General has no such intention
and the President. 1t Is believed, would be
averse to his taking such action. even if
he were so inclined
The Postmaster General has labored in
defatigably since his return from the south
His health Is not the best and the warm
weather Is anything but stimulating to his
impaired vigor. However, he Is determined
to see the investigation through. 1t Is
not likely that he will take vacation I'M
til the investigation is completed or until
the bulk of the work is over.
The reports that Mr.. Payne will leave the
cabinet are believed to have been circulat-
ed with one object in view. that of embar-
RAISING President Roosevelt and his admin
istration. No one who is familiar with in
side conditions gives the reports any con-
sideration whatever.
Quiet at the Department.
Things were quiet about the Post Office
Department today. Postmaster General
Payne did not see the newspaper men at
II o'clock, as has been his custom almost
invariably since the investigation began.
During the forenoon he had a number of
callers. among them Senator Burrows OF
Michigan. Representative Perkins of New
York. Representative Bates of Peunsylya-
MIA. E. H K. Green. member Of the repub-
mean national committee of Texas, and
cecil Lyons chairman of the Texas re-
publican state central committee
Tie report that Postmaster Van Colt
had been summoned from New York to
this city to confer with Post Office Depart
Inent officials was a surprise to the Off
Gals themselves. Mr.. Payne said he knew
nothing of such thing. and Mr.. Bristow
declared he had no thought of sending for
the New York postmaster
Later on. said the fourth assistant
postmaster general, I'VE may want to see
Mr.. van Colt and if we do, we will send
for him, but he has not been asked to come
over yet"
Mr.. Van Colts Report.
an SOlt . report, asked by First
Assistant Postmaster General Wynne some
time ago, concerning the persons employed
in the New York post Office. their duties
salaries, etc, has been received and placed
on file. Mr.. Wynne has received similar
reports from nearly all the first-class post
offices in the country. 1t may be month
before they are all gone over.
A singular feature of the investigation is
the fact that when grating was found TO
exist the person who Is accused of having
been the beneficiary Invariably received a
rake-off approximating 10 per cent. This
has led to the belief OF the inspectors it is
said. that there was an organization within
the department that worked a regulation
40 per cent rake-off on all things that wer.
purchased for the department.
Investigation to Be Made
At the request of First Assistant Post
master General Wynne an investigation
will be made of the money order bureau
and the dead letter office. There are no
specific charges. The investigation will be
in a measure preCaution.