New-York tribune., 1903-06-18
J. 7. METCALF DISMISSED.
P4YNE REMOVES HIM.
Mdiscretion in Regard to Money
Order Contract the Cause.


WASHINGTON, June 17.-As a result OF alleged
frdiscretion In matters pertaining to the award
of contracts for printing the money order forms
of the government James T. Metcaf. for many
years superintendent Of the money order system
of the Postofice Department. was removed from
office to-day by the Postmaster General a full
investigation Of the case will be made later. The
dismissal is the result OF acts OF Mr.. Metcaif in
opposition to the bid of Paul Herman. of Ruth
erford. N. J.. the lowest bidder by $4,000 and
in favor of the next highest bidder. the Wyn-
koop- -HaIlenbeck-CrawfordC Company. OF New
York. of which MIR. MetcaIfs is ernploye.
The story is briefly told in the following letter
of dismissal signed by Postmaster General
Payne at 3 o'clock this afternoon:
Washington. June II, 1908.
Mr.. James I. MetcaIf, superintendent OF money
order system. Postofice Department.
Sir: You are hereby removed from the posi-
ton of superintendent Of the money order sys-
tenn.
The charges upon which your removal is based
relate to your actions in the matter OF the let
ting of the contract for money order forms.
These charges were made known you this
morning by Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gen
eraI Bristow and Assistant Attorney General
Robb of the Postoffice Department, and a tran
script OF your answer thereto is inclosed here
with.
proposals of the different competitors for the
contract for supplying money order forms
N j.
merly employed foreman by the Wynkoop-
Hallenbeck-CrawfOrd Company. OF New-YOrk.
by which company, it seems, your son also
emplOyed), was found to be the lowest bidder.
his proposal being $4,000 below that of the
next highest bidder namely. the WynkoOp-E Hal
Ienbeck-C Crawford Company; that the bid Of Mr.
Herman as submitted was regular in form, and
that he had deposited certified check for
$4,000 as forfeit. 1t further appears that
within day two the Wynkoop-H -HaIlenUeck-
Crawford Company filed a protest AGAINST
awarding the contract to Herman, alleging that
he not financially responsible: that a short
time thereafter Mr.. Herman called at your Of
flee. and you advised him to withdraw his bid
and re-enter the employ Of the Wynkoop-Efal-
lenbeck-Crawford Company, understanding at
the time that such withdrawal would result in
the contract being awarded to said company
and consequently, in a loss to the government.
that you offered to write. and did write a letter
10 said company. apprisfng It of your interview
with Mr. Herman. and using your good Offices ia
his behalf; that you advised Herman that his
$1,000 deposit would probably be returned to
him If he adopted your suggestion. 1t further
appears that you regarded Mr.. Herman as pos
sessing the mechanical qualifications REQUESTS
to the proper performance 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 Post
master General Wynne. with the fact that you
had endeavored to have Mr. Herman withdravr
his bid. 1t further appears that a hearing has
been had before General Wynne upon the qles-
tion of the financial responsibility OF Mr. Her
man; although it has developed since the sub
mission of your answer this morning that you
manifested desire that the contract be award
ed to the Wynkoop- -Hallenbeck-Crawford Com
pany. Very respectfully.
H C. PAYNE. Postmaster General.
NO CHARGE OF LAwBREAKING.
Postmaster General Payne. tl announcing his
action. said there was no charge that Mr. Met
calf had done anything amenable TO the law
but his conduct serious fndiscretion which
could not be overlooked Mr.. MetcaIf he said
Z
painstaking and honest employee.
The Postmaster General on arriving at the de-
partment to-day sent for Fourth Assistant POST
master General Bristow and Assistant Attorney
General Robb. and after giving them the infor-
nation which had reached him regarding the
money order printing bids instructed them to
send for Mr. Metcalf and Immediately investi-
gate the case. The two officials. with Inspector
Fosnes. examined Mr. MetcaH closely for two
hours and he. IL is said. corroborated the facts
stated in the letter OF dismissal Messrs srfs-
tow and Robb Immediately afterward had a
long conference with the Postmaster General
who also sent for First Assistant Postmaster
/ General wynne who has immediate supervision
/ of the money order system and who has insisted
on the lowest bidder having a hearing and an
| opportunity to demonstrate his ability to fulfil
| the contract The Postmaster General later
| conferred with President Roosevelt regarding
! the case and the order Of dismissal followed.
| In announcing the dismissal TO the newspaper
/ men late this afternoon. Mr.. Payne said IT had
| become his duty make the removal. and il
! was a step which he could not avoid in the
proper discharge of his duties In reply
! questions he said that no consideration had as
| vet been given TO the appointment of a successor
/ but that the duties OF superintendent for the
| The Northern Gateway The most beautiful side
| az Y Y is seen from the Day Line stesmeTs.-AdS-