Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-13
RURAL FREE DELIVERY
No More Routes to Be Estab-
lished Until July l.
NO BUSINESS FIRMS.
TO BE GIVEN LETTERS OF INFoR-
NATION HEREAFTER.
Speculation as to the Future Status Of
Mr.. Machem-Progress Of the Post
Office Investigation.
NO BUSINESS FIRMS.

NO more rural free delivery routes Will be
established until after July 1, the beginning
Of the fiscal year. Thesinvestigation of af-
fairs in the Post Office Department has dis
closed, among other things, that the num-
Der of routes arranged for under the ad-
ministration of Mr.. Machen has exceeded
the appropriation for the year, and will cre-
ate deficit estimated at about so 600 by
June 80.
Already routes that had been ordered es-
tablished beginning May 10, June / and
other periods prior to the beginning of the
new fiscal year are being specifically inves-
tigated with the purpose OF preventing the
service becoming active and thereby MAX
ing as small a deficit as possible
1t Is not intended, however, that the in
Vestigation of proposed routes shall be sus-
pended. The field work will be continued.
The Postmaster General estimates the
total number of routes fairly entitled to be
established in the entire country at $4,000,
ana that at the rate of increase that was in
vogue this would be reached two years
hence.
No More Letters Sent Out.
Mr.. Bristow, the fourth assistant post
master general, has issued orders that here.
after no letters shall be sent out from the
free delivery division to business firms re-
gardlng the establishment of rural free de-
livery routes and giving the number OF
patrons of this service in the various local.
ties.
This was done, it is said, to correct an
abuse, which, 1t is charged by local deal
ers, has given the large department stores
of the cities a great advantage in dealing
with rural customers.
1t is said that the rural free delivery car
riers have been allowed to certain ex-
tent to act as agents of the department
stores, either in canvassing or providing the
big houses with the names and addresses
of rural free delivery patrons
1t is said that Postmaster General Payne
has been used dupe in this matter.
The investigation is said to have Showed
that about 5000 business houses were re-
ceiving the bulletin issued daily by the
free delivery division, evidently for the pur-
pose of advertising their goods through
the mail carriers.
Rumors as to Machen.
Mr.. Machen has not been at the Post
Office Department since he was suspended.
There is every kind Of speculation as to
what will be his status when the investga-
ton is completed and the fourth assistant
postmaster generals report Is in the hands
of the Postmaster General.
Close friends of Mr.. Machen declare that
he will return to the service of the Post
Office Department; yet they are careful not
to say what position may be given him.
The Postmaster General is said to be very
friendly to Mr.. Machen and 1t Is stated that
1t was with reluctance that he ordered his
suspension.
1t is pointed out by those who lay stress
on the friendship existing between Mr..
Payne and Mr.. Machen that the former
all along contended, when approached on
the subject, that he did not contemplate
removing Mr.. Machen.
Equally positive in their belief are those
who say that Mr.. Machen will never be
taken back into the Post Office Depart
ment.
They say that President Roosevelt was
acquainted with the condition that existed
in the Post Office Department before he
went west, and that he insisted for the
good of the department that Mr.. Machen
be suspended pending the result of the in =:
vestigation.
A we'll known member Of Congress who
has given much attention to the investiga-
ton is said to be among those who assert
that the President insisted on Mr.. Machen' 8
removal
Less Secrecy Wanted.
There is a growing feeling on the part of
the general public that the details of the
investigation should not be treated with
such an air Of secrecy as has been mani
tested all along by the officials Of the Post
Office Department.
The Postmaster General has been criti-
cised for an alleged apparent desire to sup
press what might be considered legitimate
news.
1t is said that one of the first acts of
Congress will be the introduction Of a reso-
luton in the House asking for Mr. Bris-
tows report, together with all the infor-
ion, md vrolo