Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-09

Much Speculation in Post Office Depart
ment-Appointed by Mckinley
Six Years Ago.
Mr.. Henry A. Castle, for more than six
years auditor for the Post Office Depart
ment, has rendered his resignation and 1t
has been accepted by the Secretary Of the
Treasury, to become effective when a sue
cessor is appointed 1t is understood that
the position which carries with it salary
of $4,000 a year, has been rendered to
man now in Washington, and that his deci-
sion is being awaited.
The announcement Of Mr.. Castles resig-
nation came as flash of lightning from a
clear sky. 1t did not take long for the news
to reach the ears of the. hundreds of en-
ployes in the different bureaus Of the
Post Office Department, and there was
much speculation as to what influences
had caused him to take such action.
Mr.. Castle himself gave out the informa-
ton to the representatives Of the press
who called at his Office on their usual
rounds He declared that his resignation
was prompted by poor health and a desire
to devote more attention to personal bust
ness affairs.
Auditor Castles Letter.
The letter of resignation, which was adj
dressed to President Roosevelt, is as fol-
lows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., October 7, 1903.
ITO the President:
"Sir-Early last spring I informed the
honorable Secretary of the Treasury, my
official chief, of my desire and intention to
h. 7 had hold fN- civ
years. The postal Investigations came on
and it seemed desirable that 1 remain dur
ing their continuance to give all necessary
cooperation.
Il now, in accordance with the purpose
mentioned, respectfully tender my resigna-
ton as auditor for the Post Office Depart
ment to take effect when my successor is
appointed and qualified.
please accept my thanks for courtesies
extended and my best wishes for the con-
tinued success of your administration.
VERY respectfully yours.
"HENRY A. CASTLE"
Secretary Shaw Accepts.
President Roosevelt did not reply indi-
vidually to this letter. Mr. Castle instead
received the following letter from the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury:
WASHINGTON, D. c., October 8, 1903.
MY Dear Sir-I am directed by the Presi-
dent to advise you that your resignation
this day rendered has been accepted. to
take effect when your successor is appoint
ed and qualified.
'In this connection 1 desire to thank you
for the marked courtesy you have always
extended toward ME during the term of our
official relations e-.T
Very sincerely yours,
II LIN SHAW.
Hon. Henry A. Castle, Auditor for the
Post Office Department"
Tulloch Charges Revived:
There was report about the Post Office
Department during the day that Mr..
Castles resignation might be traced to the
report of Messrs. Bonaparte and Conrad,
attorneys appointed by President Roose-
welt to go over the charges filed some
months ago by Seymour w. Tulloch, for
merly cashier in the Washington post
Office, which was placed in the Presidents
possession Immediately following his re-
turn from Oyster Bay.
The TullOch charges in full were given to
the press by Postmaster General Payne
May II, after he had written to former
Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith,
tow. Postmaster Merritt, Controller Trace
well, Auditor Castle and others whose
names appeared in the charges, and an
swers had been received from them
Laxity of Method.
Referring to Auditor Castle, Mr.. TuIloch
charged among other things that an ac-
count of Postmaster Willett of Washing
ton, D. c., which had been previously al
lowed by the auditor, was revised by the
controller of the treasury, resulting in a
letter from the controller disallowing be-
tween 100000 and $4,000 for the quarter in
question
1t was also charged by Mr.. Tulloch that
salaries of certain employees of the Wash
ington post office were paid on separate
vouchers instead of the regular pay roll;
that many departmental disbursements
were paid out of the funds of the local
post office; that no effective measures
were taken to collect an alleged shortage
of $500 from Sherman P. Bristow,
and that certain employees of the Washing
ton post office performed no service.
Mr.. Castle. May g. replied at great length
to the charges made against him by Mr..
Tulloch and the letter was given much
publicity throughout the country. The au-
dtor maintained that his explanations were
entirely satisfactory.
Thought to Have Been Forced.
The impression strongly prevails that the
resignation of Mr. Castle at this particular
time was forced from some direction, and
the belief is that Postmaster General Payne
is at the bottom of 1t.
Mr.. Castle did indicate to Secretary Shaw
in April last that he would want to retire
before great while, but his friends do not
DeneVe tnat ne would have retired at this
time had his departure not been under
pressure.
Although. Auditor Castle is under the
Treasury Department, his work Is entirely
with the Post Office Department, his rela-
tons with the officials of that department
and his system Of auditing fixed upon
by the Post Office Department In fact,
Auditor Castles methods of auditing are
different from those of the five other audi
tors of the government.
The system of these FIVE auditors is pre-
scribed by Secretary Shaw and the con-
troller of the treasury but auditor Castle
has at least been practically Independent Of
Secretary Shaw so far as being responsible
to him is concerned. C
That there has been frtotiom between the
leading officials of the Post Office Depart
ment and Mr.. Castle has been known for a
long time, and there were threats of dis
ruption just about the beginning of the pos
tai investigations.
Secretary Shaw's Curt Answer.
The brief answer Of Secretary Shaw to
the letter Of Auditor Castle is considered
sufficient evidence that affairs were not en-
tirely peaceful. Not word Of commenda-
ton of the services of the retiring auditor
is contained in the answer, more than
extraordinary thing following the volun-
tary retirement of government official.
The President himself frequently writes