The Indianapolis journal., 1903-05-09
WORK OF ]. |. BRISTOW
VINO IS CONDUCTING THE POSTOf.
FICE DEPARTMENT INQUIRY.
investigation Courted by Mr.. Machen
Reorganization Of the Di.
visions Probable.
Special to che indianapolis Journal.

WASHINGTON. May S.-One of the most
significant developments incident to the in
vestigation in the Postofice Department
took place to-day when August w. Machen
was granted an indefinite leave Of absence
from his position as superintendent of the
free delivery service. The explanation Of
this action by the postmaster general is
that Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow desired to be placed in full control
of the administrative business of the free
delivery division.
Technically. II is true. Mr.. Machen has
been granted leave of absence until the in
vestiga Lioa is concluded, but among those
familiar with conditions in the department
IL appears to be the universal belief that
Mr.. Machen will hardly be reinstated,
whatever develops in the future. Three of
the most important divisions of the Post
Office Department. therefore, give promise
OF being thoroughly reorganized. George
w. Beavers. who was superintendent OF
the division of salaries and allowances, re-
signed shortly after the present inquiry
was instituted by the postmaster general
James N. Tyner, the assistant attorney
order division. was dismissed after Mrs.
Tyner had riied safe in his office con-
tanning personal and public records.
Mr.. Machen now has been relieved of
duty or the recommendation of General
Bristow. who is conducting the investiga-
ton. There has been much criticism heard
recently that Mr.. Machen was allowed to
conduct the business of his division while
1t was undergoing investigation. but until
yesterday the fourth assistant had made
no suggestion that Mr.. Machen should be
relieved pending the present inquiry. Post
master General Payne acted with charac-
teristic promptness when he relieved Mr..
Machen Immediately upon the request of
General Brtstow.
DUE TO REORGANIZATION.
While there have been numerous charges
and allegations against the administration
of Mr.. Machen. thus far evidence of
criminal; wrongdoing on his part has been
developed. according to all that can be
learned at the department Mr.. Payne was
questioned on this point after announcing
Mr.. Machen's leave of absence. and he
stated that no assumption of criminal
wrongdoing should be attached to the ac-
tion taken to-day. He stated that sum-
mary removal rather than an indefinite
leave of absence. would have been ordered
II Mr.. Machen had been found guilty of the
charges preferred against him.
There IS doubt in the minds of those
who have impartially observed the develop
ments in the Postofice Department during
the past few months hat the present con-
dition of affairs Is du, Large part to the
intense bitterness betwe n First Assistant
Postmaster General wynne and Superin-
tendeEt Machen. This feeling has aug
mented she spirit of recrimination which
has existed in the department for several
weeks. This explains another feature of
the case which Mr.. Payne refers to In his
letter to MIR. Machen. The free delivery
service has been a constituent division of
the first assistants Office. II is now trans
ferred to the authority of the fourth assist
ant where II is understood it will remain
permanently. This possibly means a re-
classification of the duties OF the four as
sistants such as was contemplated by Post
master General Payne some time ago.
NJ. c. Fosnes. the postoffice inspector. who
will succeed Mr.. Machen tomorrow In
charge oS the free delivery division. is the
official who superseded Major Estes G..
Rathbone when the Cuban postal frauds
were disclosed. He will not remain perma-
nently at the head of the division. The ap-
pointment OF a permanent superintendent
of free delivery In case Mr.. Machen Is re-
moved or resigns will be made at the time
that new heads OF the salaries and allow
ances anc fraud order divisions are named.
CHARGES AGAINST MACHEN
The fight against Superintendent Machen
during the past few months has been prob
ably the trost bitter that has ever waged
against RAN in public place. The ques-
ton Is naturally asked whether IL is in
spiret solely In the interests OF clean gov
ernment- Among the charges and aIlega-
tions which have been brought against Mr..
Machen since the investigation began are
~ follows: Advance information fur
delivery wagons in Indiana, by which this
concern could approach new appointees In
the free delivery service and induce them
10 purchase their wagons from IL; FREQUENT
changes In the form OF mail boxes. by
which contracts were awarded 10 Mr..
Nachen's friends; contract let TO a firm to
paint mall boxes al excessive figure;
building pp political machine In Congress