Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-18

must 1mpel the postmaster IeHeIdi "
grant me this opportunity of demonstrating
to him that his action has been hasty and
unjust to a faithful public servant who has
devoted his life to the best interests of his
1.-THE suspension of your order is respect
fully asked until such time you may
hear from me.
Respectfully
June Is. 1903"
Jas T. MetcaH Removed.
Mr.. James T. Metcalf, superintendent of
the money order system of the Post Office
Department., was summarily removed from
service by Postmaster General Payne short
ly before o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The Evening Star of yesterday printed ex-
clusively the fact that Mr.. Metcaf had been
in the "sweat box in Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow's private office
earlier in the day, when he was carefully
examined by Mr.. Bristow and his inspectors
and Assistant Attorney General ROOD re-
garding his interest in holding up the award
of contract for printing money order
blanks to the lowest bidder in the interest
Of a New York company which employs
his (Metcalfs) son.
Postmaster General Payne, who did not
see the newspaper men at the usual mid
day audience, had promised to give out
statement at o'clock. His manner sug-
gested that he was greatly perturbed and
him.
This gave rise to much speculation as to
what the statement would be- Some
thought that arrests, which are said to nave
been held in allegiance for several days, were
to be made and that there would be sem
sation equal In Importance to any that has
attended the investigation of the scandals
in the Post Office Department.
Representatives of the local newspapers
were present throughout the afternoon, and
few Of the hundred or more representatives
of out-of-town newspapers were absent
when o'clock arrived.
The Postmaster General, who was in con-
ference with Mr.. Bristow, Mr.. Wynne and
Assistant Attorney General Robb, sent out
word that he would not be ready to see
them before o'clock. During the wait the
interest was augmented.
Mr.. Payne's Letter.
Finally few minutes before O'Clock.
the door of the Postmaster Generals Office
was opened and the small army Of news
paper men filed in and gathered about him.
Mr.. Payne announced briefly that he had
dismissed Mr.. Metcalf, and he gave out
copies Of the letter he had addressed to the
superintendent of the money order system.
The letter is as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., June IT.
Mr.. James T. Metcalf, Superintendent of
Money Order System. Post Office Depart
ment.
"Sir: You are hereby removed from the
position of superintendent of the money
order system.
1.-The charges upon which your removal
is based relate to your actions in the mat
ter of the letting of the contract for money
order forms. These charges were made
known to you this morning by Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General Bristow and As
sistant Attorney General Robb of the Post
Office Department, and transcript Of your
answer thereto is Enclosed herewith.
1T appears from your answer that when
4 a1c nft hn ont tnrc
for the contract for supplying money order
forms were opened, Paul Herman of Ruth
erford, N. J. formerly employed fore
man by the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Craw-
ford Company of New York, by which COM
pany it seems, your son is also employed),
was found to be the lowest bidder, his pro-
posal being $45. 900 below that of the next
higher bidder, namely, the Wynkoop, Hal
lenbeck, Crawford Company; that the bid
of Mr.. Herman as submitted was regular
in form, and that he had deposited certi-
fed check for 5000 as forfeit. 1t further
appears that within a day or two the Wynn
koop Hallenbeck, Crawford Company filed
a protest against awarding the contract to
Herman, alleging that he was not financial
ly responsible; that short time thereafter
Mr.. Herman called at your Office and you
advised him to withdraw his bid and re-
enter the employ Of the Wynkoop, Hallen-
beck, Crawford Company, understanding at
the time that such withdrawal would result
in the contract being awarded to said COM
pany and consequently in a loss to the gov
eminent; that you offered to write, and did
write, letter to said company, apprsing 1t
of your interview with Herman. and using
your good offices in his behalf; that you adj
vised Herman that his $5.0 600 deposit would
probably be returned to him If he adopted
your suggestion.
TT further appears that you regarded Mr..
Herman as possessing the mechanical quail
fications 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 or
otherwise.
1T also appears that you did not acquaint
your superior First Assistant Postmaster
General Wynne, with the fact that you had
endeavored to have Mr.. Herman withdraw
his bid.
TT further appears that a hearing has
been had before General Wynne upon the
question of the financial responsibility of
Mr.. Herman, although it has developed,
since submission of your answer this morn
ing, that you discouraged the granting of
the contract be awarded to the Wynkoop,
Hallenbeck, Crawford Company. Very re-
spectfully, H. C. PAYNE.
POSTMASTER General"
Postmaster Generals Statement.
Postmaster General Payne, in announcing
his action, said there was no charge that
Mr.. Metcalf had done anything that was
amenable to the law. but that his conduct
was serious indiscretion that could not be
overlooked. Mr.. Metcalf. he said, always
had been considered a faithful, efficient,
painstaking and honest employee
Mr.. Payne'S voice trembled with emotion