The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-05-07
PAYNE AND HIS PROBE
Postmaster General Insinuates it
in Case Suggested by
an Interview.
EX-EMPLOYE MAKES SOME CHARGES
TracewelI Tells of the Investigation
and of an Inspector Who
Lacked Tact.

Washington. May z. rosImas-
ter General Payne has addressed let
tiers to ex-Postmaster General Smith,
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow, Postmaster Merritt (of this
city and Comptroller Tracewell (of the
treasury, calling attention to pub
lished interview with s. w. Tullock,
for many years-up to three years ago
cashier Of the Washington postoffice
The interview quotes Tulloch as say
ing that the whole tendency of the
pOstOffice department is to convert the
Washington city pOstOffice into mere
bureau of the department., disburse its
funds and appoint and promote its
employees; that an investigation of the
accounts of the Washington postoffice
was begun by an expert of the comp
troller's Office, but was stopped and
the expert removed, presumably as
warning to ,thers."
Payns Wants n Complete Report.
PostOtfice inspectors who were aware
of the existing conditions, the inter-
view says, were threatened with re-
mOval if they presumed too much. 'but
Bristow stood by his men and de-
manded an investigation of the first
assistants Office, which was refused"
Payne has asked for complete report
from Postmaster Merritt, including a
list Of all changes made In the Wash
ington Office during his incumbency,
and upon whose order they were made.
The letter to Comptroller Tracewell
says that the publication Is direct
reflection on his Office, and asks if any
truth exists in the charges. Bristow
is directed especially to report on any
connection Of himself and of the post
Office inspectors with the charges.
Smith is asked for information on the
subject as a matter of courtesy"
Tracewell Tells the story.
Comptroller Tracewell said tb.t it
was in the spring of 1900 that he de-
cided to look into the affairs o. the
Washington city postoffice. An expert
from his office was put to work and
the papers IN the case were brought
to his office. They were there per-
haps two months. The investigation
led to the conviction on his part,
Tracewell said, that there had been
many irregularities-he would not say
frauds-in the expenses of the local
postoffice. He called the attention of
the postmaster to them and disallowed
many items. Matters eventually were
Strengthened out, and on promise
from the postal officials that the i'm
proper disbursements would not be
continued he Informed them, he said,
that he should refrain from falling
back on the disbursing officers.
Expert Who Lacked Tact.
THAT is exactly what was DONE
he continued. mo political or per-
sonal pressure was brought to bear
upon me. If such pressure had been
brought it would have accomplished
nothing. There were irregularities
which l took steps to check as papers
on file in my office will show"
WAS the expert who investigated
the postoffice accounts made an ex-
ample Off" Tracewell was asked.
''He was transferred from my Office
to the sixth auditors Office, which
amounted to reduction" was the re-
ply. Tracewell explained that the man
was very efficient, but lacked tact
when making requests for papers, etc.
Several of the postoffice officials had
complained of him.