Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-02
Postmaster Generals Apparent
Indifference Causing Much
Comment at Washington
INJURY TO THE ADMINISTRATION
His Frequent Interviews In the News.
papers Not Likely to Enhance His
PopuIarity-Machen to Hold His
Position During the Investigation
S. w. TuIIoch's Charges.

Washington, May 2.-Postmaster
General Payne has again denied tina
there mas been any recommendation OF
request made by either First Assistant
Postmaster General Wynne, or Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow
for the removal or suspension of Mach
en-, superintendent of the rural free de-
livery. Payne also said he had no in
tentlon of removing or suspending
Machen unless some unlawful or i'm
proper act is proven against him.
This statement of the postmaster
general has encouraged the men under
investigation to believe they are to be
fully protected. 1t has also inspired OPP
ponents of the administration to pre-
dict that the investigation will result
in a white wash,and assert that the
postmaster general had no intention
of clearing up the scandals in the post
office department.
Some of the republican senators who
have been watching developments fear
that the postmaster general is injurins
the administration by his frequent in
terviews in which he nearly always
takes occasion to say that he is going
to push the investigation, but at the
same time asserts that he has found no
cause for any change in existing con-
ditions.
1t is known that Beavers resigned
rather thar face the investigation. and
there We're the same complaints made
against Beavers and Machen and Ty-
Ter and Lewis. But Beavers ran at the
first gun, Tyner, old and on his death
bed, was discharged, but the other two
men remain in charge of their depart
ments, in possession of the evidence
which might convict them.
a morning paper here Friday pub
lished a statement from Seymour w.
Tulloch. who was discharged from the
position of cashier, of the Washington
~postoffice three years ago.. Tulloch had
held that position for twenty-one years
and he says in a ard Over his own
name, that he was discharged by Post
master Merritt on command of Perry
s. Heath, because he was "an obstacle"
He charges that there We're irregulari-
ties which he as cashier would not pass
owe without written orders, and he
was removed to max room for someone
would be more accommodating to
the first assistant postmaster general,
who used the city postofflce as a bureau
of the department. Tulloch says:
Previous to the appointment of
Merritt, an investigation of the ac-
counts of the Washington city postof-
was being made by an expert con-
with the office of the comptroller
of the treasury, after these SAINT ac-
counts had been passed by the auditor
Of the postoffice department.
THE officials of the postoffice de-
given positive orders to the local
received by him from the comptroller
we're to be brought to them Immediately
receipt and that they alone should
dictate all replies.
"Unhappily before I was aware OF
his order an answer had been made
the first letter received. Direct per-
;onal and political pressure was then
brought to bear upon the comptroller
he investigation was stopped just as
t was becoming interesting, and the
having it in charge was removed
or a too jealous performance of his
presumably as a warning to
,thers.
The postoffice inspectors, who We're
aware of the existing conditions,
informed that If they presumed
much they too would also be re-
moved. 1 am credibly informed, how
.ver, that Postmaster Bristow stood
by his mar and demanded a
borough investigation of the office OF
he first assistant postmaster general.
This was refused by Postmaster Gem
raj Smith.
II had al interview with Smith just
my removal. / told him l had, of
curse, no hope of reinstatement, but l
warned him for his own good that IL he
take action with regard to the
tate of affairs he knew to exist in the
his administration would
nd under a cloud. No action seemingly
taken and the conditions were al
owed to drift. The Cuban scandals,
owever, became public, forced out by
he officers of the rlmy those of Porto ]
leo never did.
Il have now been out of the service I
four years, engaged with pr.- '
ate affairs, but every now and then | :
ave noticed in the newspapers refer
nee to the existence of scandals in !.
lie postof1ice department. Powerful in !
uences and political exigencies have !
lways caused them to be ignored
Whether they will be his time or not re
lains to be seen"
Postmaster General Payne will call !.
pom former Postmaster General Smith, !.
Merritt inc the expert from !
lie comptroller's Office to reply to Tul- :
chs statement, and that will become .
part Of the investigation. E.
LONDON BROKERS RACE. c