The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-20
THE POST0FF|CE INQUIRY
Investigation to Extend to All Large
Cities, Says Mr.. Payne
THE STORY OF AN AUTOMOBILE

York Office, Ostensibly For Business
Purposes, But Really For Private Use
The Inquiry Will Embrace Every
Phase of Administration.
Washington, D. C.-Postmaster Van
Colts automobile was the uppermost
topic in the Postofice Department in
vestigation a few days ago. The in
formation to be had at the department
is that the automobile is a good one,
and that it cost nearly $4,000. 1t was
bought by Mr.. Beavers, the late head
Of the salaries and allowance division,
on pretext that it was a daily neces-
sity to carry money from the main
postoftice in New York City to the bank
for deposit, and for safety and dispatch
an automobile was Indispensable.
Mr.. Van Cott, it seems, did not ask
for the machine and did not realize
that the Office could not get along
without one. Mr.. Beavers practically
gave him the machine. 1t is Of the
coupe pattern, with the platform for
the chauffeur up behind. The front is
curved and Of the finest plate glass.
From accounts received at the de-
partment it has not been used so much
for the transportation of money from
the postofice to the bank as for per-
sonal pleasure, and the statement was
made by a prominent official at the
department that 1t Is believed the real
motive in buying the machine was to
provide an automobile for Mr.. Beavers
use in New York City.
Postmaster-G General Payne said to the
twenty newspaper men who made their
customary call late in the afternoon
that the investigation authorized by
Congress would take in all the first
class postoffices Of the country. The
scope Of the inquiry will embrace every
phase Of administration, including pos
sible extravaganza and dishonesty, and
any other thing that had been or might
be suggested as meriting Investigation.
He had conferred with the Presl-
dent about that general investigation
early last session Of Congress, he said.
When the idea was first considered
there was no talk Of dishonest practices
any more than the general matter Of
,extravagant and wastful methods and
practices in the purchase Of supplies.
Later, when charges Of ell sorts Of ir-
regularities were made, the present in
vestigation was precipitated, and the
pending inquiry had developed good
deal that had not been contemplated
in the original plan.
There was q revival Of comment on
the recent visit Of Senator Lodge to
Washington. to see the Postmaster
General. 1t Is denied positively, how
ever. that Mr.. Lodge came here as the
Presidents personal representative or
that he had told Mr.. Payne that the
latter would be forced out Of the Cab
met If he did not at once suspend A..
W. Ma chen, the Chief Of Free Delivery,
from Office pending the conclusion Of
the investigation.
1t Is true that Mr.. Lodge did appeal
to Mr.. Payne in the strongest terms to
suspend Machen, but he did not men
ton the President nor make any al
lusion to Mr.. Payne's possible retire
ment from the Cabinet. He put the
matter on party grounds and said that
Machen, as a matter of common de-
cency, should not stay in the depart
ment while he was under investigation.
Mr.. Payne said that he had not yet
taken any action looking to Machen's
suspension or dismissal.