Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1903-06-25
POSTAL TROUBLES.
James Il. Metcalf is Removed
from Office.
The superintendent of the Money Or
der System Charged with Indis-
cretion in Matters Pertain
Ing TO Award of Com
tracts for Printing.

Washington. June 1S.--As a result
of alleged indiscretion in matters per-
tanning to the award of contracts for
printing the money order forms of
the government, James II. Metcalf,
for many years superintendent of the
money order system of the postofiice
department, yesterday was removed
from Office by the postmaster gener-
al. \ full investigation OF the case
will be made later. The dismissal is
the result of acts of Mr.. Metcalf in
opposition to the bid of Paul Her
man, of rutherford, n. j., the lowest
bidder by $4,000, and in favor OF the
next highest bidder, the Wynkoop,
Hallenbeck, Crawford Co., of New
York, of which Mr.. Melcalf's son is
an employe.
The story is briefly told in the fol
lowing letter of dismissal signed by
Postmaster General Payne at )
O'Clock yesterday afternoon:
Mr.. James T. Metcalfe.-Sir: You
are hereby removed from the posi-
ton of superintendent of the money
order system. The charges upon
which your removal is based relate to
your actions in the matter of the let
ting of the contract for money order
forms. These charges were made
known 10 you this morning by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow and Assistant Attorney Gen
eral Robb, of the postoffice depart
ment, and a transcript of your an
swer thereto is enclosed herewith.
1t appears from your answer that
when the proposals of the different
competitors for the contract for sup
plying money order forms were
opened, Paul Herman, of Rutherford,
n. j. formerly employed as foreman
by the Wvnkoop, Hallenbeck, Craw-
ford Co, of New York, by which COM
pany, it seems, your son is also en-
ployed). was found to be fhe lowest
bidder, his proposal being $45, 900 be-
low that of the next higher bidder,
namely, the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck.
Crawford Co.. that the bid of Mr..
Herman as submitted was regular in
form, and that he had deposited a
certified check for $1,000 as a forfeit.
1t further appears that within day
or two the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck,
Crawford Co. filed protest against
awarding the contract to Herman. al
leging that he was not financially re-
sponsible; that short time there
after Mr.. Herman called at your of
flee and you advised him to withdraw
his bid and re-enter the employ of
the WynkoOp, Hallenbeck, Crawford
Co., understanding at the time that
such withdrawal would result in the
contract being awarded to said COM
pany and consequently in loss TO
the government; that you offered to
write. and did write, letter to said
company, apprising it of your inter-
view with Herman and using yCur
good offices in his behalf: that YOU
advised Herman that his $1,000 de-
posit would probably be returned to
him if he adopted your suggestion.
1t further appears that you regarded
Mr.. Herman as possessing the me-
chanical qualifications requisite tc
the proper performance of the con-
tract and that it was not any part
of your duty to pass upon the ques.
tion of his responsibility, financially
or otherwise. 1t also appears that
you did not acquaint your superior,
First Assistant Postmaster General
Wynne, with the fact that you had
endeavored to have Mr. Herman with
draw his bid. 1t further appears
that hearing has been had before
Gen. Wynne upon the question of the
financial responsibility of Mr.. Her
man; although it has developed since
the submission of your answer this
morning that you discouraged the
granting of such hearing and mani
Tested desire that the contract be
awarded to the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck.
Crawford Co.
Very respectfully,