The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-20
Friends of Suspended Omcsa1s Prepar-
ing TO Make Trouble fl Charges
BE Not substantiated.
READJusTMENT OF SALARIES
MANY CHANGES ARE BEING MADE
AND CONFUSION May RESULT.
Captain Castles Reply to TulIoch, and
the Eatter's Rejoinder to POST
master General Payne.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. May 19.-The investiga-
ton in the Postofice Department has now
been dragging along for more sthan two
moaths- Every effort Is being made to ex-
petite IL In order that the results may be
placed beIore President Roosevelt his
retdrn to Washington next month. Post
master General Payne is not hopeful that
the inquiry will be concluded by that time.
In fact, IL was announced to-day that the
investigation probably would continue until
July. But that the postmaster general
will be In a position to inform the Presi-
dent on his arrival here as to the truth or
falsity of the charges Of corruption is gen.
orally believed.
While the task put upon Mr.. Bristow,
fourth assistant postmaster general, and his
corps OK inspectors. Is tremendous one.
the impression prevails that IL the depart
ment Is honeycombed with corruption 1t
should have developed by this time. That
10 proceedings have been instituted against
any official is taken an indication that
the allegations of criminality have not
been substantiated. 1t has been generally
assumed from the beginning that the off,
cials involved would. as matter of course,
be dropped from the service whether evil
dence OF corruption was developed. But the
question is now being asked as to what
action the postmaster general will take in
case General Bristow gives the officials
under fire clean bill Of health. The most
serious charges have been made against
A W. Machen, superintendent of free de-
livery. and other officials In the department.
If they are substantiated official heads
will be chopped of right and left. but IL
&f-~ t. oI~e
for the reason that many of the officials in
volved are strongly intrenched in their po-
sitions and have influential friends among
the national lawmakers.
A Western member of Congress said to-
day la this connections: 1--WE are suspend
ing Judgment in this matter until report
is submitted to the postmaster general Mr..
Machen is well known as an official of re-
markable ability. Rural free delivery as de-
veloped by him has grown TO be a popu-
lar institution. II Mr.. Machen has done
anything In his Office that renders him GRIM
inally liable his exit from the service will
be rapid. But IL he is guiltless his friends
will see to IT that he is not crucifed.''
Every effort is being made by the postal
officials to complete as soon as possible
the readjustment of the salaries of clerks
in hrst-class postoffices. There is certain
to be a serious disturbance of business for
a time In many of the first-class postoffices
as a result of the changes that are being
made in the allowances authorized by
George w. Beavers. former chief of sal
cries and allowances. The purpose OF the
present readjustment is to disburse funds
available for increased salaries and addi-
tional clerks strictly in accordance with the
r< hoa boa he in he de-
partment for some years to make allow
ances fit conditions as they were found.
regardless of the law which fixes the num-
ber of clerks that shall be included in each
grade. Hundreds of clerks have been ad-
vanced to the higher grades I'm an irreg-
ular manner. and necessarily many of them
will be reduced. Promotions made hereto
fore will not be affected by the present re-
adjustment. Only the increases and addi-
tional clerks authorized to take effect on
July 1 next are involved. The proceedings
of the department were undertaken In ac-
cordance with ruling of Controller Trace
well. who held that the limitations as to
the number of clerks in each grade should
be strictly enforced. There is a possibility
that the readjustment will not be completed
by the beginning of the fiscal year. but 1t
event the clerks will not lose increases
which take effect on July l. 1t Is believed
by the officials that the disturbance which
will follow the introduction OF the new sys-
TEN viii only be temporary.
Representative Cromer. of the Eighth In
diana district. is In Washington. He Is
here on department business of interest to
his constituents. Mr.. Cromer called on
Postmaster General Payne to-day. but he
said his visit had nothing to do with the
pending investigation in the department.
The postoffices at Tassinong. Porter coun-
~. Indiana. and at Moulden. Green county.
Indiana, have been ordered discontinued.
Patrons win be served by rural free deliv-
cry carriers
Bailey Roberts hfs been commissioned
postmaster at Ethel. Ind Also Jacob Con-
way at Mariette, Ind.
JOHN Z. MONK.