The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-18
Investigation of Postoffice Scandal
Sustains TuIloch's Charges and I'm
covers Many Gross Irregularities.

washington. June 1s.-Postmaster Gen
era, Payne today made public all papers
and documents connected with the inves-
tigation OF the Washington post office
in 1899 and 1900. as a result Of charges
preferred at that time by Seymour w.
Tulioch, former cashier OF the Washing
ton post office. and which was recently
repeated by Tulloch in formal commu-
nication TO the postmaster general.
The most interesting feature contained
in the documents which cover 80 type
written pages and aggregate $1,000 words,
Is the admission OF Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow that he rec
commended 10 Postmaster General Smith
that the office OF First assistant Post
master General Heath be Investigated.
This was charged by Tulloch. who also
charges that the investigation requested
had been called on" The papers, show
however, that later the investigation was
made and a number OF irregularities cor
rected.
The DOCUMENTS made public inciude
the following: A letter OF Postmaster
General Payne, dated May 1. 1903, ad-
dressed TO Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow, requesting a complete
statement regarding the truth or falsity
OF the Tulloch charges.
PERSONALLY ORDERED.
Mr.. Bristow's reply. in which he SUBJ
mits abstracts OF three reports made by
the inspectors on the condition OF the
Washington post office, says: During
the inspection / was advised that Sup
erlntendent Beavers OF the salary and
allowance division had suggested TO an
inspector that when he came to certain
appointments that appeared irregular he
had better make no reference 20 them
as they had been ordered personally by
Postmaster General Smith
II told the chief inspector that did
not believe the postmaster general had
knowingly authorized any Irregularities
and instructed the inspectors To report
the facts as they would In any other
investigation.
THE inspector In charge submitted n
special report on July g. which disclosed
apparent glarring Irregularities. and
submitted II personally 20 the postmaster
general. suggesting to him that it con-
tanned matters 10 which ! thought he
would want 10 give his personal atten-
tion.
referring TO the statement that
had demanded a thorough Investigation
OF the office OF First Assistant Postmas-
ter General Heath. | beg 90 say that
the inspector In charge. In his special
report, states tnat ne hdd discovered "A
condition OF affairs which required an
immediate. thorough and exhaustive in
yeytlgation.
MANY IRREGULARITIES
THE third report sets forth mum.
Der Of irregularities which prevailed az
that time In the Washington postoffice.
This Inspection was begun when I was
absent from the department The report
OF the inspectors who supervised the
transfer OF the Washington postoffice
from Postmaster Wilett TO the present
postmaster. John A. Merritt deals largely
with expenditures which were charged to
the wrong accounts. dsallowed by tho
auditor and afterward passed when prop-
erly accounted for.
There II also record OF a number of
employees who were paid from tho wrong
appropriation. confidential report OF
Inspector In Charge Smith IN connection
with the inspection OF the Washington
postoffice concludes June 30 1879 setting
forth Irregularities. which Indicates In
condition OF affairs demanding an imme-
diate, thorough and exhaustive investi-
eation'
'sThe report shows many irregularities.
as. for instance: -Four clerks appointed
90 military roll by First Assistant Post
master Heath. none OF whom performed
any service In connection with military
postal matters and no good reason APP