The Washington times., 1903-06-19
HOLDS Up CONTRACTS
FOR FULL INQUIRY
Postmaster General Sus-
pendS Orders for Supplies.
IN Beavers DIVISION
All Agreements to Purchase After June
80 Observation-Disclosures
Methods of Award.
IN Beavers DIVISION

BY direction of the Postmaster Gener-
al. letters are being sent out today to
corporations and firms having contracts
with the Government for supplies. noti-
flying them that all contracts extending
beyond the end Of the fiscal year. June
30. are likely 10 be held up
1t is understood this course has been
made necessary by the discovery OF IT.
regularities in the division OF salaries
and allowances. Being in doubt as to
how far these extend. the department
has deemed il proper TO pave the way
for a cancellation of all contracts for
supplies until the methods OF their
award can be closely inquired into.
II is understood also that charges
against \. W. Machen. former superin-
tendent OF the free delivery division. OF
selling positions and promotions in the
rural free delivery bureau have been
sustained. Letters. affidavits. AID checks
are said TO be a part OF the evidence
against him now in possession Of the in
sDectors.
Postmaster General Payne attended
the Cabinet meeting this morning and
did not answer the letter which J. 7
Metcah. the dismissed superint sudant
OF the money order division. wrote him
yesterday, asking for reinstatement with
suspension until he can prepare a de-
Tense and have his Office investigated.
Activity in the Ai-.
The report that President Roosevelt
had eensured the District Attorneys
Office for not acting more expeditiously
In obtaining indictments against the
people involved in the Postofice scan
dals caused an air of expectancy around
the department this morning and IT is
thought there VIII be decisive ictioD
before another week passes
The statement OF J. L. Bristow. Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General. yesterday
that when the Postofiee Investigations
are completed there will be nothing left
for Congress to Investigate is favor
ably received in the department. The
confidence IN Mr.. Bristow and his plain
ness in stating facts is such that there
is a general impression that Congress
would be wasting time and energy TO
make an investigation after he finishes
Charles Hedges. superintendent OF city
delivery. is accused Of undue activity in
selling mining stocks in which he was
interested. He is said to have sold q
large quantity OF stocks TO postmasters
and to have given some of ii 10 the pri-
vate secretaries OF Congressman. Mr.
Hedges has been mentioned before since
the investigation began, but he has only
been brought into the open light Of pub
licity in the last few days.
Perry Heath stands but small chance
Of being criminally prosecuted on the
charges suggested by Mr. Bristow's re-
port. but there Is growing sentiment
against HIS being reelected secretary
OF the Republican national committee.
Indictments Expected.
The grand jury was not in session to-
day at the City Hall. and consequently
no witnesses in the Postoffice fraud cases
were examined Acting District Attor-
ney Taggart said this morning that no
new developments were expected until
Monday. when IL is probable that at
least three of the five anticipated in
dictments Will be returned.
Everything is being done TO hurry the
work OF the grand Jury and the indict-
mcnts will be returned as soon as the
examination OF Witnesses is concluded.