Evening journal., 1903-06-18
]. s. METCALF HAS
BEEN REMOVED
Head of Money Order De
partment Dismissed for
Indiscretion
POSTMASTER GENERALS LETTER
This Action is the Result Of Mr.. Met
oalfs Opposition to the Lowest Bid
der for Printing the Money Order
Forms.

der for Printing the Money order
Forms.
Washington. June 1S.-As a result
of alleged indiscretion IN matters per-
tanning to the award of contracts for
printing the money order forms of the
government, James T. Metcalf. for
many years superintendent Of the
money order system OF the postonlco
department, has been removed from
Office by the postmaster general a
full investigation OF the case Will be
made later. The dismissal is the result
of acts Of Mr. Metcalfe in opposition
to the bid Of Paul Herman, Of Ruther-
ford, n. j.. the lowest bidder by Si5. .00o,
and in favor of the next highest bid
der the Wynkoop. Hallenback, Craw-
ford Company, Of New York, of which
Mr. Metcalf's son is an employe.
The story is briefly told in the fol-
lowing letter Of dismissal signed by
postmaster General Iayne.
Mr. James +. Metcalfe, superinten-
dent Of money order system. postoflice
department-Sir You are hereby re-
moved from the position of superin-
tendent of the money order system
THE charges upon which your re-
moval is based relate to your actions
in the matter of the letting of the
contract for money order forms. These
charges were made known to you by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow and Assistant Attorney Gen
eral Robb. of the postoffice department.
and a transcript of your answer thereto
is enclosed herewith
1T appears from your answer that
when the proposals Of the different
competitors for the contract for sup
plying money order forms were opened
Paul Herman. of Rutherford, N. j.
formerly employed as foreman by the
Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Crawford Com
Dany. OF New York, by which company
Il seems your son is also employedl.
was found 10 be the lowest bidder his
proposal being $4,000 below that of
the next highest bidder, namely, the
Wynkoop. Hallenheck, Crawford Co,
that the bid of Mr. Herman as submit
ted was regular in form. and that he
had deposited a certified check for
$4,000 as O forfeit. 1t further appears
that within a day or two the Wynkoop.
Hallenbeck, Crawford Company filed
protest against awarding the con
tract to Herman, alleging that he was
not financially responsible; that a short
time thereafter Mr. Herman called at
your Office and you advised him to
withdraw his bid and re-enter the en-
ploy of the Wynkoop, Hallenbech,
Crawford Company, understanding at
the time that such withdrawal would
result in the contract being awarded
to said company, and consequently in
loss to the government; that you adj
vised Herman that his $4,000 deposit
would probably be returned 70 him IL
he adopted your suggestion. Il further
appears that you regarded Mr.. Herman
as possessing the mechanical qualifica-
tions requisite to the proper perform
ance of the contract and that It was not
any part Of your duty to pass upon the
question Of his responsibility, financial
Dr otherwise"
Postmaster General Payne, in an
nouncing his action, stated that there
was no charge that Mr.. Metcalf had
done anything that IS amenabe to the
law but said that his conduct was SER
Gus indiscretion that could not be over
looked. Mr. Metcalf, he said, always
has been considered a faithful. PAINS
taking and honest employe.
Mr.. Metcalf when seen stated that
he has done nothing wrong and has
nothing to conceal; that his sons em-
ploy in the bidding firm could have no
effect on the award; that he suggested
Hermans return to his old company to
handle the government work there be-
cause he (Mr. Metcalf) knew that Her
mans means were limited and that
stoppage of supplies in the midst Of a
contract term would have proved SER
lous. He says that with Herman's con-
sent he wrote to Mr.. Hallenbeck adFis-
ing that Herman be restored to his old
place. and that he told Herman he had
little doubt that the government would
allow Herman to withdrew his forfeit
check of $4,000.