The Washington times., 1903-05-10
MACHENS RETURN
MOST UzVLLKEL Y

to make any statement further than that
contained in his letter to Mr.. Payne.
Mir. Bristow said also that the rural
free delivery work would go on as usual,
but that during Mr.. Fosnes' time in office
it was probable the work OF inaugural
ing new routes would not be pushed as
rapidly as under ordinary circumstances.
as the officials would be TOO busy with
tn investigation.
Machen's Machine in Danger.
In the face of accusation after accu-
sation, Mr.. Machen has maintained a
firm front and declared he would an
doubtedly be vindicated. He has been
asked every day for months whether or
not he would resign and has always re
piled that he would not retire under
fire. This assertion was repeated Fri
day when the letter relieving him
came from the Postmaster General, and
he said Friday night that he intended 10
remain in Washington until his status
was determined.
1t is believed tn success of any eff
forts Mr. Machen may make along the
line of concerted political influence will
be largely affected by the number CT per
sonaI enemies he has made among peo-
pie who We're not in Congress. At the
height of his power he was accused or
being arrogant and OF dismissing FROM
the service people who were nor thor
oughly subservient to his public and
private ambitions. He is said TO have
! dealt out dismissals and snubs to pco-
pie of little apparent consequence, some
| of whom have since become prominent
on their cwn account and others have
| the support OF powerful influences which
Mr.. Machen, of course. alienated.
! The persons aggrieved by Mr.. Mach
ems alleged arrogance have not failed
! to take advantage of the embarrassiIs
! position N which he has been placed by
| the investigation, and will work as hard
| to see that ne is removed as his friends
! will work to see that he stays. Charges
! and information against him have been
! furnished with cheerful alacrity by
those who We're at one time considered
OF no Importance. Now that his star is
/ entirely obscured, his enemies in the
| department who have hitherto been
afraid to act may possibly come TO the
front and join with those who have been
| fighting him from the outside.
Fireman bowers Charges.
| Postmaster General Payne gave out yes
| terday morning the result of the investi-
cation into the charges against the en-
gineer's division Of the PostofBce by
James wer, a fireman. Dover averred
that [. re was fragrant favUritism in
the manner of distributing assignments:
that some of the employees were allowed
10 get drunk and stay away as much
as they pleased, while others had TO
! work without holiday, and that he had
been an object of special persecution
Mr. Payne said that he had removed
Dover about year ago, but was pre-
vailed upon by friends OF the fireman to
reinstate him. The Postmaster Gen
| erals statement Is IN part as follows:
The Postmaster General. upon full
consideration of the case, believes that
the action of Mr.. Dover in making the
frivolous and scandalous charges. giving
them publicity, and then failing utterly
TO sustain them, is 10 the detriment OF
the service, and was calculated to dis
credit the department and subversive OF
all discipline 1t is therefore ordered
that he be discharged for the good OF
the service, to take effect this day"