Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-05-13
MACHE:NISSUSPEN
Second Victim OF the Probe Post
master General Payne Is
Using So Vigorously,
rworoH1BFs WE'RE "AGIN" MAoHEN
Bristow and wynnc, Besides Ex-Rcp'
rcscntntivc Loud-Strained RE-
lations for Some Time,

Washington, May 9.-The investiga-
ton of the affairs OF the postoilice de-
partment, which has been dragging
along for two months, has taken sen
sational turn, and by Postmaster Gen
eral Payne's order August w. Machen,
general superintendent of the free de-
livery system, and one of the most
widely-known government officials in |
the United States, has been relieved
from his duties, and Postoiiice Inspec-
tor NJ. G. Fosnes designated to take
charge of that service. The change |
took effect this morning, when Fosnes
assumed charge of the free delivery |
service, and ut the same time that
service passed under the control of the
office of the fourth assistant postmas
ter general. Heretofore it has been
under the jurisdiction of the first as
siStant.
Mnchen Courts Investigation.
The action of the postmaster general
was taken on the written recommends
ton of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow, who is directing the
Investigation of the affairs of the de-
partment, that the transfer of Mach
ems bureau to his jurisdiction and
| its administration by postofiice in
spector would expedite the investiga-
ton. In ordering the change recon-
mended the postmaster general gave
Machen- ..leave of absence until the in
! vestigation is concluded Machen
promptly acquiesced in the decision of
| the postmaster general, taking occasion
to say in doing so that he courted the
! fullest investigation Of his official con-
| duct,
Mechen Had Been Under Fire.
Machen has been under fire ever
since the investigation began. Charges
of 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 postoffice pa
irons, particularly on rural mailroutes;
the furnishing of advance information
regarding the selection of routes and
the appointment of carriers, etc.
Another Difficulty Noted
There also has been a conflict be-
Postmaster General Wynne ever since
the latter assumed Office. Wynne
charges AIachen with characterization.
The strained relations between the
head of the free delivery service and
J other officials resulted in an embar-
!. RAISING state of affairs, and for sew
eral months correspondence between
the general superintendent of the free
, delivery service and his immediate su.
general, has been conducted, on the
part of the former, through one of his
subordinates.
Did Loud Influence the Action2
EN-Reprcsentatiye Loud, of Califor.
MIA, who was chairman of the house
: committee on posto1iices and pos,
roads, has spent much time during the
past two or three days in conference
!, with Payne, Wynne and Bristow. Lout
: and Machen have been at odds official
ly for nearly two years, and it is be
y lieged that the counsel of Loud ha
= figured in the foregoing developments
y Postmaster General Payne dismisse,
!, James Dover, a fireman employed il
= the postoflice department us resul
of charges that Dover recently file
:. against Chief Engineer James O'Dor
nell and other superior officers. Dove
- alleged that a ring to govern promo