Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-25

Tvper from the safe in the private room OF
the assistant attorney general for the POST
ONCE Department late Tuesday afternoon
During the conference Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow was called into
Mr.. Payne's Office and he was present the
greater part of the time When Mr.. Perry
and General Kitchener left the Postmaster
Generals Office the former dictated this
statement to the members Of the press
who were in waiting:
Yesterday afternoon about 3 CLOCK, IN
response to a notification from the Depart
ment of Justice. General Tyner's oner 10
deliver the papers in question should De
made to the Post Office Department instead
of the Department of Justice. as It had
been made. / held a conference with MI
Payne. in which he proposed that repre-
sentatives Of the Post Once Department
should meet General Kitchener and myself
at General Tyner's house, when the papers
should all be gone over and such papers as
proved to be private retained by General
Tyner and the other bundles. somewhat
public in nature, should be turned over TO
the Post Office Department.
1T was especially desired that government
representatives should question fully Gen.
Tyner Mrs. Tyner and Mrs Barrett as 10
what actually occurred upon Mrs. Tyner's
visit to the department on Tuesday and as
to all her acts in connection herewith, ana
her authority therefor, Gen. Tyner explain
ing that all of Mrs. Iyner 8 actS were du-
thOrized by him.
1.-THE Postmaster General replied that he
would consult with Attorney General Knox,
and would subsequently communicate with
me. This he did last evening In letter,
wherein he said substantially, that If Gen.
Tyner would cause the papers to be return
ed he would have the same examined In
the presence of representatives of Gen. and
Mrs Tyner and restore to him all papers
found belonging to him.
General Kitchener and myself proceed
ed to the house of General Tyner and. at
ter consultation with General and Mrs
Tyner, 1 telephoned to the Postmaster Cen
eral asking permission to bring with us
Mrs Tyner and Mrs. Barrett for a full ex-
animation by any government official as
to the facts of taking the papers from the
safe.
1.-THE Postmaster General refused to per-
nit either Mrs. Tyner or Mrs. Barrett to
be present and declined to question her
as was offered. Thereupon, acQuiescing In
his decision, General Kitchener and myself
brought to the Post Office Department all
the papers In question
They were examined infinitely and In de-
tail in the presence of the Postmaster Cen
eral by Fourth Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Bristow. This examination included
even the most private papers of Gen. Tyner
and especially those of Mrs. Tyner.
AT the close of the examination all the
papers were returned to Gen. Tyner through
me, except the papers indicated In Cen
Tyners statement. heretofore publlshed,
referring to the papers relating to the con-
duct of a former inspector and which had
never been filed, the case having been dis
posed of more than four years ago.
MIR. Ferry SAID tDdt fOStIndSteE Neliei ehi
Payne had given to him and Gen. Mitch
ener no indication as to what course he
purposed taking, now that he had seen the
papers. Mr. Perry said he hoped that some
thing would be done in the way Of a thor
ough and careful investigation, believing
that it would place both Gen. Tyner and
Mrs Tyner in the proper light before the
public.
At the Department of Justice.
Official information at the Department of
Justice today regarding possible criminal
prosecutions In connection with the Tyner
case was at a minimum. Attorney General
Knox and Solicitor General Hoyt had moth
ing to say or to give out. So far as could
be ascertained. the Post Office Department
has not yet responded to the request of the
Attorney General for more specific descrip-
ton in the affidavits of the character of the
papers distracted and for information as
to what the Post Office Department desired
done in the matter.
1t is the policy of Attorney General Knox
and his SubordinateS to take time to con-
slider any matter of such Importance as
this. and they will follow that custom in
this case. They will insist on the fullest
information from the Post Office Depart
ment and will then go over the case care
1ully before advising that department in
any manner.
Harrison j. Barrett's Statement.
Mr.. Harrison ]. Barrett, formerly law Of
ficer of the Post Office Department, and
formerly acting assistant attorney general
for that department. late yesterday sub
mitted to Postmaster General Payne the
following communication:
April "a, 1903.
To the Honorable the Postmaster General
Sir: From the public press of today I
learn that in letter addressed by you
on April p to General James N. Tyner, you
state that certain charges against myself
are under investigation by the Post Office
Department This is the first official In
formation which l have had of any charges
or any character whatever against my con-
duct either while connected officially with
the Post Office Department. or as a prac-
ticing attorney before said department since
my resignation. 1 write this letter to re-
spectfully request and urge that you will
make at the first possible moment a search
ing investigation of all acts of mine in the
premises.
There appeared some time ago in the pub
lie press statement that Mr. Camp
bell. of whom I had never heard, would
make charges against me before the Presi-
dent of the United States. On the follow
ing day, In interviews in the press Mr.
Campbell denied that he had or would
make any such charges. On the 25th of
March l addressed to you the following
communication:
Baltimore March IS. 1903.
The Honorable, the Postmaster General
Sir: There have appeared recently in
practically the entire press of the country
filed charges with the President involving
my integrity, both an official of your
department and a practicing attorney since
my retirement therefrom nearly two and
half years ago, and that the President had
directed an investigation thereof. Suisse
Quently interviews with Mr. Campbell an
peared in the New York Mail and Express
OF March 49, and the New York Sun of
March II, denying that he had filed any
such charges and stating that he knew
nothing whatever in anywise rejecting upon
me.
But, without awaiting further confirm
alton OF the reports of an investigation
having been ordered, and without regard
to what such charges If any may be- feel
IL my duty to say In justice to myself and
the Post Office Department that my con-
duct as assistant attorney for the depart
ment and as practicing attorney since
severed my connection with the depart
ment is open to the most searching inves-
tigation. which l invite, and l will willing
ly furnish any information within my
power that may be desired
Very respectfully yours
HARRISON ]. BARRETT"