Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-13
NEW EVIDENCE.
Postoffice Department Investi-
cation Develops Two Points.
Wagon Manufacturers Given Advance
News Of Rural Routes.
Orders Issued Holding Up Promotions
lin New York Office.

Washington, April 12.-There were
two important developments, Saturday,
in the investigation Of the affairs of
the post Office department.
The first was the filing of charges
that advanced information had been
furnished wagon manufa cturers re-
garding rural routes, and the other was
the issuance of an order to Post Mas
ter Van Colt of New York directing
him to hold up all of the promotions
and extra clerk allowance cases re-
Gently announced for the New York
city service for the next fiscal year.
Fresh charges were filed by West
ern establishment engaged in the
manufacture of vehicles, alleging that
competing houses had gotten the bene-
fit of advance information regarding
rural free delivery routes and the APP
pointment Of rural carriers.
The charges allege that the complain
ing company, upon announcement of
appointment. Of rural carriers, gave in
structions to their agents III various
sections to negotiate with them for the
sale of wagons, buggies or other We
hicles for use in performing the postal
service and that in a number of cases
carriers had previously procured their
outfits sometimes, it is asserted, sew
eral weeks before.
1t is also alleged that in one instance
cited, Il representative of certain fac
tory was accompanied opIhe route by
the regular carrier thetA6f the latter
advising and urging IL Sale of the
articles offered by the Dercial rep
resentative. SSsgs Easy
The compliments say Ia tig charges
that the conditions '.savar DC Che star
route methods of 20 or rs .yaaSF ago."
When the attention of Actin4 Post
master General Wynne: was called to
these charges he refused to discuss
them, but admitted that they had been
filed and would be turned over 8 the
inspectors for consideration.
An order issued by Acting Posi- ster
General Wynne directs thespq eter
ats New York to withhold airy Jon
on the promotions and Others Nv
ances recently ordered ana hrn
certain of these cases. 49, &
The full list of promotions to be made
in the New York Office will not be
finally made up until the cases are
thoroughly investigated.
Postmaster Van Colt will ne held re
sponsible for any promotiof4 that he
indorses, and any not indorsed by him
in the usual way will not be allowed
to go through.
There were 1916 promotions and an
allowance of 300 additional clerks at
5000 per annum.
In connection with the investigation
an apparently routine order of the act
ing postmaster general issued. today,
regarding the initiating of mail is sig
nificant.
The order directs that hereafter
chiefs of divisions and bureaus shall
check by initials the mail which has
to be passed upon by the first assist
ant postmaster general, and that no
such official shall have the right to
delegate to a clerk or any person the
right to use such initial in checking
communication.
This action is intended to hold the
person fixing the initial to RESPONSE
bility for the paper so checked instead
of permitting any official to let another
affix his signature with the possible
disclaimer of such paper on the grouno
that it was signed by another.