Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-27
A NEW APPOINT TMENT
Charles H. Robb Succeeds
General Tyner.
TAKES CHARGE TODAY
WILL NOT HOLD THE OFFICE
PERMANENTLY
Rumor of Changes in Personnel of
Post Ofice-Investigatio to Be
Pushed to the Utmost.

| Mr. Charles H. Robb, who has been for a
! number of years an attorney connected
| with the United States Department Of JUS
| tice, was today appointed assistant attor-
ney general for the Post Office Department.
The appointment was made by Post
| master General Payne the result of a
| long conference held with Attorney General
Knox yesterday afternoon, at which time
| the question of bringing prosecution against
Mrs. Tyner, wife OF the deposed assist
ant attorney general for the Post Office De-
partment, and her sister Mrs. Barrett, for
the abstraction of papers from the govern
! ment safe in the office was also considered.
The Postmaster General officially an
nounced the appointment of Mr.. Robb to
the members of the press shortly after
noon. He said that Mr.. Robb was highly
recommended by Attorney General Knox
for his efficiency as a legal counsellor and
for his worth as a man. Mr.. Robb takes
the place that has been filled for some
time by Acting Assistant Attorney General
George A. c.. Christiancy, who, On Satur-
day afternoon, demanded an investigation
of his official conduct, particularly that
bearing on the abstraction of the papers
from the safe by Mrs. Tyner and her COM
panions, and asked the Postmaster GeneI al
to relieve him from the responsibility Of
the Office pending such investigation.
appointment Not Permanent.
When Mr.. Payne was asked If the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Robb might be considered
as permanent he replied:
''Mr. Robb consented to accept the posi-
ton of assistant attorney general for the
Post Office Department with the distinct
understanding that he would not so do If
It were permanent"
Mr.. Payne added that he had not yet
answered Mr. Christiancy's letter. and that
he had not fully determined what would be
the phraseology of the letter. He said he
would likely write the letter this afternoon
Mr.. Robb took possession of the office
this afternoon. 1t is believed the Post
master General has not yet given serious
attention to the matter Of deciding on a
permanent appointment for assistant at
torney general for the Post Office Depart
ment. The position carries with 1t salary
of 81, 500 year. This is the same salary
Mr.. Robb has been receiving for his serv-
ices with the Department of Justice.
Charles H. Robb is from Vermont. where
at one time he was states attorney.
Prior to going to the Department of JUS
tice, where his work has given satisfaction
he was in the legal department Of the in
ternal revenue bureau.
Rumor of Changes.
There was a rumor about the Post Office
Department today that Postmaster General
Payne had decided upon some radical
changes in the personnel Of the depart
ment and that official announcement of the
same would be made within the next few
days. If Mr. Payne has any such thing in
view he certainly has given no idea of 1t
in his talks to the members of the press.
However, there seems to be apparent a
well-defined belief on the part of persons
who have given the investigation Of alleged
scandals in the Post Office Department
careful attention that some such action will
result, and pretty soon.
The Postmaster General is placed in an
embarrassing position. The charges that
have been preferred against subordinate
officials or nearly all Of the charges, refer
to things that took place under previous ad-
ministrations. Mr.. Payne is not unmindful
of the duties that devolve upon him, and
he has time and again announced to his
friends that the investigation that was be-
gun a month ago should be thorough and
complete.
Mr.. Payne is naturally sensitive about
some of the newspaper articles that have
been printed, which have sought to place
him in the light Of trying to conceal cor
ruption that is alleged to exist in his de-
partment. He has the backing of the
President of the United States, and he is
pushing the investigation as fast as care
and prudence will warrant.
The charges that have been filed with
him are numerous and far-reaching that
it must necessarily take considerable time
to fathom them all. Fourth Assistant At
torney General Bristow is active in push
ing the work Of investigation, and the Post
master General is imm ediately apprised Of
any new development.
One Phase Of the Investigation.
One feature of the investigation is Il
comparison Of the appropriations asked for
by Mr.. Beavers for the division of salaries
and allowances the present fiscal year with
the appropriations asked for the first year
of his administration of the division.
1t is argued that If the increase in busi
ness of the department is commensurate
with the increase in clerical hire and other
expenses of the division, then there will
have been little ground for the charges of
gross extravaganza. If the figures are in
commensurate the suggestion will be that
the charges of extravaganza are well
founded.
Postmaster General Payne and Fourth
Assistant Attorney General Bristow were
In consultation today regarding the papers
that belonged to the government taken by
Mrs. Tyner from the safe in Mr., ChrIs-
tiancy's Office and returned by her attor-
neys Saturday. Late this afternoon they
were sent to Attorney General Knox. Mr.
Payne declined to discuss what further
recommendation he may have made to the
Attorney General for action against the
Tyners.
There is a general belief that no prosecu-
ton will be brought against Mrs. Tyner or
any of her companions who were present
when the papers were removed from the
safe.