Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-07-23
Stated Superintendent Was in
Various Places When He
Was Miles Away.
HE5i. REMOVED FROM OFFICE
Does Not Deny Charges, but Says
They Do Not Justify Dismissal-In-
speetor Erwin Thorpe Steps into
Vasated Office.


of superintendent of free delivery of
the postofice department on the
charge of classifying his diary and loan
iEg his travelling commission.
Mr.. Hedges, while making no gen.
eral denial of the charges. eontended
that they were not sufficient justifica-
ton for removal Erwin H. Thorpe,
rostoffice inspector in charge at New
York, who has been assisting in the
administration OF the free delivery
service since the inception of the in
yestigation, has been designated act
ing superintendent of free delivery in
place of Mr.. Hedges
The following is the official state
ment of the case made public by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow:
Official Statement of Case.
Charles Hedges was removed from
the office of superintendent of free de-
livery for classifying his diary and loan
ing his travelling commission. He re-
ported himself at various places on
public business when in fact he was
not in those places on the dates men,
toned, but elsewhere, in some in
stances hundreds of miles distant. On
Oct. 25, 1900, he states under oath in
his diary. that he was at Joplin, Mo,
on extension of free delivery service
when in fact he was in Mansfield, o.,
attending the funeral of ex-Secretary
John Sherman. On Dec. 7, 1899, he
reports himself at San Antonio Tex,
investigating carriers service, while
ir fact he was in Mexico examining
mining property. In the month of Oc-
tober, 1899, A w Machen, superin-
tendent of free delivery, was sick with
typhoid fever and Hedges was at the
department acting as superintendent
In his diary he states under oath, that
he was at various places, namely, New
York, Philadelphia, Bridgeport, Conn,
Camden, N. j.. and elsewhere, 'actu-
ally engaged in travelling on the bust.
ness OF the free delivery service. AS
sistant superintendent Of free deliv-
cry are allowed a per diem of 81 per
day in lieu of expenses for each day
engaged actually travelling on the busi-
ness of the department. Hedges false
statements as to his whereabouts on
these days were manifestly for the
purpose OF collecting per diem to
which he was not entitled. There are
many other instances of similar faIsi-
fication. The facts were submitted to
the postmaster general some days
since, who directed Hedges removal
for the reasons above set forth"
Other Charges on File.
The case was worked up by Post
office Inspector George Sutton, assist
ed by Inspectors Bennett and Jones.
There were several charges on file
against Mr.. Hedges, but none of these
constituted the basis of his dismissal.
The acts which led to his removal
were discovered by the inspectors in
the course OF their general investiga-
ton OF the records of the free deliv-
cry office. The case has been under
investigation for several weeks. Mr..
Bristow summoned Mr. Hedges short.
ly before the close of Office hours and
notified him of his dismissal Mr..
Hedges reiterated his contention that
his dismissal was not warranted.
Mr.. Hedges was appointed to the
postal service from the Tenth con-
gressional district of Texas on July /,
1898, and was appointed superintend-
ent OF free delivery July /, 1901. His
salary was $4,000 a year. He had
charge of the delivery service in the
cities, the rural free delivery service
being under another superintendent,
and both being under the general SUI
pervision Of August w Machen.