Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-20
Admission Is Made That Such
Organization Existed In
Postal Department
RENDERED MERIT SYSTEM VOID
Machinery for Working the Game of
Graft Is Acknowledged to Have Been
In Operation Up to Short Time Ago
In the New York Postoffice-Score
of Indictments Promised.

/ Washington, June 20.-For the first
! time stree the beginning of the pres
ent general inquiry in the postotticc de-
partment affairs, official admission is
made of the much talked-o promo
! ton syndicate,' which was operated
/ from the department at Washington
and Which rendered imperative the
merit system in the New York office
and in other large postotiices thruout
the country.
Not only was the authoritative state
ment made that the promotion syndi-
| cate and its complex machinery for
| working the game of graft did exist,
and was In full operation in the New
York postotlice, up TO short time ago,
but it was stated in addition that post
| office inspectors have secured absolute
| proof of the guilt of number of the
officers of the syndicate. The names
| of the guilty men would have been
made public last week and their ar
rest ordered, but for the fact that in
the specific cases in which, owing 10
| affidavitS and sworn statements in the
| hands of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
| General BristoW, proof is most certain,
| the operation of the statute of linita-
! ton has made prosecution impossible.
| The specific offenses in question oc-
CURED nearly four years ago, and in
connection with this statement it is
learned that the promotion syndicate
had been in active operation for seven
years. The department officials in
charge of the investigation express
confidence that ultimately positive
proof will be secured of the sale of
promotions in the New York office
within the last two years.
The evidence already secured in con-
| firmation of the existence of the syn
dictate has given renewed impetus to
the inquiry. which it is believed will
result in tangible developments of a
startling nature.
Former Superintendent Beavers, of
the salary and allowance division. Of
the poetoffice department, is alleged to
have been the head and the front of
the syndicate.
But 1t must not be forgotten that the
investigation of the salary and allow
ance division was brought TO a stand
still by the inquiry in the free delivery
division, which resulted in the arrest
of former Superintendent Machen. and
was only recently resumed. So far the
results have been excellent. and in time
there is no doubt but that proof will
be secured against those whom we have
all along been morally certain were
guilty.
Another and entirely new feature of
the postal service scandal. which be-
came known yesterday for the first
time, was the fact that an appointment
and promotion syndicate existed N the
free delivery division during the ad
ministration of former Superintendent
Machen. Absolute proof, consisting of
sworn testimony and affidavits, has
been secured in number of specific
cases. and the investigation into this
new and unexplained phase of the
scandals is being pushed as rapidly as
possible, with the limited number of
inspectors available for the purpose.
1t was at first thought that the stat
ute Of limitations would operate in a
number of these cases. also to render
prosecution impossible. But another
section of the revised statutes contains
a provision to the effect thta if the con-
tinueI occupancy of a federal position
by government official shall tend TO
prevent the discovery of any crime. or
crimes committed by him. the statute
of limitations shall not become opera
tive until the hate of the severance of
that officials connection With the gov
eminent service.
This, then, will make it possible for
the government to indict former Sup
erintendent Machen Oh still another
and different charge from those of
bribery and forgery, of which ne at
present stands accused. The investi-
eating authorities however, believe that
one or more persons, not connected
with the service, are concerned IN the
free delivery service syndicate. and are
searching for additional proof of more
recent date as in case of immediate ac
ton, the statute of limitations would
otherwise apply to all except govern
ment officials.
Not four or five or six indictments,
but at least twenty in Washington
alone, have either been presented TO the
grand jury or will be brought to the at
tent N of tina: body in the near future,
in cases connected with the postal
scandals.
The positive statement was
made at the postoffice department yes
terday afternoon that former Con-
gresham briggs of Brooklyn. who adj
mits having received a salary of ST.,
500 a year from the Brand Cash Reg
lister Company, while he was a member
of the house of representatives, would
be indicted by the federal grand jury
in New York. 1t is said that the grand
jury was expected TO bring in this in
dictment today.
1t is extremely improbable that the
serious friction which has existed for
a week or more between postofiice de-
partment officials in charge of the in
torney Hugh Taggart. who has charge
of the legal proceedings will cause fur
Their delay in the inquiry and again
hamper the epartment officials in
their work 1t was learned yesterday
that at the interview between Fresi- |
dent Roosevelt and the assistant dis |
trict attorney Thursday the President
severely reprimanaed Mr.. Taggart for
his di!atory methods. He will be given |
an extra assistant for the work
An official of the postotfice depart
ment said yesterday: The president
was exceedingly angry at the man |
ner in which the investigating author
titles have been hampered in their work.