The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-14
Much Secrecy Observed by Mr. Bristow
and other OmcfaIs Regarding
Her Testimony.
PERRY S. HEATH UNDER FIRE
ACCUSED BY MR.. PROCTOR OF BEING
A RADICAL SPOKESMAN.
Alleged to Have Violated the Civil
Service Law-New York's Ring
"Knockers" at Washington.
,ecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June ls.-Miss Ina s.
Liebhardt, of Indiana, chief clerk of the
Free Delivery Service under Machen. was
called before Mr.. Bristow. the fourth as
sistant postmaster general to-day and
sharply interrogated. 1t cannot be learned
what happened behind the closed doors.
The officials observed great secrecy con-
corning the proceedings. The fact remains
that Miss Liebhardt maintained the same
dignity after she emerged from her inter-
view with the officials that has character
lied her demeanor during the entire course
of the investigation. Miss Liebhardt has
been in the postal service for number OF
years She is a young woman of excellent
qualifications as an executive and many
times during the absence of Mr.. Machen
she was in absolute control OF the entire
system Of rural and city delivery. She is
a daughter of David p. Liebhardt, who is
chief clerk OF the dead letter Office.
The principal developments of the day in
the postoffice scandal appear in the form
of a report by the Civil-service Comis-
sion severely condemning Perry s. Heath
for appointments improperly made during
his administration and the action of the
officials in holding up warrant of $500
covering payments for cash registers
The findings Of the Civil-service Commits
sion apply to the Washington city post
Office and Ii is demonstrated that hundreds
of appointments have been made In direct
violation of the rules governing the c,assi--
fed service. 1t is not charged that Mr..
Heath any other official is involved in
a criminal way. but the methods followed
are characterized as exhibiting a fragrant
disregard of the merit principle created by
law. The commissions report Is coral
larry of the charges made by Tulloch, dis
charged cashier of the Washington Office.
SEARCHING INQUIRY ORDERED.
1t is announced by Postmaster General
Payne that he will soon make public the
report of Mr.. Bristow, ir so far as the
Tulloch charges apply to the fourth as
sistant. Mr.. Bristow has already denied
the charge of Tulloch that he recommended
searching investigation of the first as
sistant's office when Perry s. Heath held
the place. Mr.. Bristow's reputation is so
we'll established in Washington and Tul-
loch has made so many contradictory
statements that the burden of the proof as
to the veracity of these two officials is
although not in an official quarter, that the
statement of Mr. Bristow will completely
refute the allegations Of Tulloch.
The fact that transaction has been dis
closed in the salary and allowance divf-
sion justifying a hold-up of 5000 war
rant for cash registers is evidence that
traces of crookedness have been discov-
cred. In fact. 1t is openly stated by the
officials that bribery is apparent In con-
nection with the purchase and that IL only
remains for them to find sufficient docu-
mentary evidence on which to base crimi-
nal proceedings. George w. Beavers is
the man toward whom suspicion is direct
ed, and within the last two days a clerk.
who was most intimately associated with
the Beaver administration of salaries and
allowances. was called before Mr.. Bris-
tow and the inspectors and closely ques-
toned as TO his knowledge of the oper-
ations Of his former chief. II is under
stood the clerk could throw no light on the
situation.
1t is denied by Postmaster General Payne
that he has made statements within the
past twenty-four hours on which have
been based reports that startling dis
closures might be expected In the immedi-
ate future. At the same time. the officials
are on the quivive aud there Is an air
around the department which Is accepted as
a precursor of big things to follow.
THE NEW YORK AFFAIR.
The affairs I'm the New York postofflce are
attracting great deal OF attention at this
time II will be recalled that early In the
investigation the inspectors were set to
work toascertain the correctness of charges,
anonymously made. that ring existed IN
the New York postoffice. which sold pro-
motions, and that representatives OF the
ring were included in the Washington per-
sonnel Of the department. This matter in
wolves the entire administration OF the New
York postoffice. and for two months inspec-
tors have been diligently at work In that
city The affair there has recently as
sumed a political phase. which has added
interest TO it. New York is expected to
furnish the next big sensation I'm connec-
ton with the postal scandal. which con-
prises even those who have kept pace with
early I'm March.
The inspectors In the department in
Washington have had busy day. They
started TO work early to-day. and for a
time II was believed that another sensa-
tion would be added 10 the scandal before
nightfall. Several officials were called be-
fore Bristow and the inspectors and ques-
toned concerning Machens methods In adj
ministering the free delivery service.
While the postal scandal is a serious mat
ter. involving fragrant cases OF bribery.
gross misappropriation OF public funds.
petty peculations. lax administration and ir-
regularities OF every description. II has
been cheapened and made ludicrous by Of
ficials who are not inssired 30 much by q