The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-24
The ALUMINIUM PAINT GRAFT.
INDICTMENTS IN POSTAL SERVICE
EXPECTED THIS WEEK.
Postn,asters write That They Know Ihere
II Something Wrong with Conirac's
naturalization with SlOwness OF the
Local Grand Jury-HOw Heat"s
ErOther Was RailrOaded Into service

Brother Was RailrOadeu INTO SeT'"''
WARRINGTON June 23.-The Federal
Grand Jury was occupied to-day in the con-
alteration OF what may prove to be one
OF the most important features of the dis
closures due to the present investigation
into Postal service scandals. This con-
Germs the contracts for the painting of the
enormous number of letter boxes in the
CITY delivery service with the patented
aluminium paint now in general use.
The legal authorities of the Post once
Department began some time ago the
preparation Of information upon when
TO bring the matter to the attention OF the
Federal Grand Jury in the hope of securing
indictments against those who appeared
to be implicated The work was com
pleted last week, and the information was
presented to the Grand Jury to-day
At the session of that body this morning
certain additional facts were brought out
upon which more information was wanted,
and consequently the jury was adjourned
until next Thursday. when the legal authori-
ties in charge Of the prosecution OF cases
arising from the Postal Service scandal
investigation expect to have cases in such
shape that indictments will promptly
follow.
Ever since the in investigation reached an
acute stage with the removal and arrest
Of former Superintendent Machen of the
free delivery division on charges of accept
ing brides, postmasters all over the country
have written to the Post Office Department,
authorities asserting that to their positive
knowledge there was something wrong
with the contracts for painting letter
boxes
Many of these postmasters alleged that
after boxes had been painted in their re-
spective towns and cities, the bills presented
would he far in excess Of the actual service
performed, The. postmasters objected
until thew received orders from the Depart
ment at Washington to pay the bills in
full.
One peculiar phase Of this scandal is
the fact that while the. company manu-,
featuring the paint received so cents and
81 box for, painting pending upon
the size OF the receptacle the man who
actually performed the service were car
ried on the rolls of the Post Office Depart
ment and their expenses paid out OF the
funds OF the postal service
The expenses of these men show up soma
remarkable facts. They were technically
known az slaborers,' yet they put up at the
best hotels and expended the full amount
Of their per diem allowance, and certain
additional" expenses contracted by them
we're authorized by tnplr superior oIHeeIS
and passed.
There is also cons iderable satisfaction
expressed with the "slowness' of the Grand
jury in the New York jurisdiction. What
are termed the "dilatory methods of that
body are not understood at the Depart
ment.
Charles j. Bora parte of Baltimore and
Holmes Conrad of this city were to-day
appointed special attorneys to assist in
the prosecution of the cases arising from
the investigation of postal service scandals.
Mr. Bonaparte is well known IA a lawyer,
but better, perhaps. as a civil service re-
former. Mr. Conrad was Solicitor-General
under President Cleveland and has long been
prominent as a member OF the local bar.
He is a Democrat
further examination into the records
Of the Civil Service Commission has added
another to the list of irregularities pub
lished in THE SUN some days ago. The
records show that John B. Heath, a brother
Of former First Assistant Postmaster-Gen-
eral Perry s. Heath, who is now Secretary
Of the Republican National Campaign
Committee, was railroaded into the Govern
ment service by way Of the unclassitied
Office at Elwood, Ind.
Heath was appointed to the Elwood
office June /. 1898. On July 10 the office
was classified" which is the technical
term for the contamination Of the first
stage OF the railroa ding process, and just
q month and half later Heath was trans
ferred to Marion Ind, and later to ST Louis.
This specific instance of railroading was
accomplished by First Assistant Postmaster
General Heath