The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-19
More Definite Accusations
Must be Answered.
THUS DECIDES MY PAYNE.
The Charges Against the Auditor and The
Comptroller Mr.. Payne Regardsa as the Nest
Serious---The Postmaster General
Comments Thereon.
(By the Associated Press J


Washington, May 18.-Postmaster Cen
eral Payne today sent letters to the Comp
troller of the Treasury, the auditor for
the Postofice Department and other off
cials calling their attention to statements
made by ex-Cashier Tulloch in his com
munication of last Saturday. The letters
ask for any explanation or further infor-
nation that might throw light on the
subject. The formal charges of Mr.. Tul-
loch, Mr.. Payne said, have been dissecfed
and the matter relating to particular
branches of the service referred to the bu-
reaus having jurisdiction for report. Mr..
Payne said tonight that he regarded the
charge against the auditor and the comp
troller as the most serious of the allega-
tions. He said If those officials allowed
improper accounts to be audited or sup
pressed what might be called pay dirt
has been found
The charges he said, impugn their good
faith and integrity. Mr.. Payne pointed
out a difference which existed between
charges of irregularity and of actual viola
ton of law. "A government Official" he
said, "may buy something which he has
no authority to purchase and no author
ity to pay for, but the government gets
the use of the article nevertheless Irreg-
ularities do not necessarily mean anything
unlawful. The department may pay out
OF the wrong fund. either by accident or
by design, yet that need not be unlaw-
full He said in this connection that the
charge regarding the disallowance by the
Comptroller Of between s3e,O00 and $40,-
600 was charge of irregularity not OF un-
lawfulness and he understood that practi
cally all of this sum had been subsequent
ly allowed
cit is unfair he suggested, ito make
the public believe that the Government
has been cheated out of such an amount
of money when it was only the question
of irregularity in accounting
The Postmaster General was asked re-
garding the charges against First Assist
ant Postmaster General Perry S. Heath
and George w. Beavers formerly chief of
the division of salaries and allowances,
and as 10 what effect the fact that they
were out Of the service would have in the
consideration of their cases. ~ have
nothing to do" replied the Postmaster
General with the personal relations be-
tween Mr.. Tulloch and Indiana politicians
nor with his hatred for the Postmaster
of Washington or others. If any improp-
er act was done by any one now in office |
or by any one who is not now in office, |
so far as it might reflect on the depart
ment we will investigate it.
IN. Tulloch as cashier" he said. "did |
not know what work any set of clerks was
doing; only the Postmaster General the /
Assistant Postmaster General or those who |
had charge of that part of the work would /
know. Some of these allegations that
no work was performed are now being
investigated. If any one has drawn mon
ey without doing any service we will try
to get the money back from them. We
will demand the recovery of the money"
Speaking generally, the Postmaster Cen
eral said the original letters of the officials
against whom Mr.. Tulloch make accusa-
tions were necessarily general in terms but
now that the Tulloch letter furnishes
something more definite in the way of
charges they will have an opportunity to
make more definite replies "Mr Bristow. >
he said, went very carefully over Mr.
Tullochs charges and he has selected such
things as ought to be considered and
Investigated
August w. Machen, the Superintendent
of the Free Delivery, division who was
given an indefinite leave of absence pend
ing the investigation, called at the Depart
ment today for the first time since his
summary relief from office. He carle for
some personal papers he had left in his
desk. Postofice Inspector Fosnes, the
acting superintendent of the division was
present and inspected all the papers be-
fore permitting Mr.. Machen to take them
from the office
Postmaster General Payne was asked TO-
day whether Mr. Machen had asked that
he be permitted to resign. He said no one
had requested such action twill Mr.
Machen be permitted to resign?" he was
asked "Mr. Machen will not resign" he
answered, .'at least it is understood So
It is safe to assume that he will not ask
it. l have reason to believe that he viii
not resign or ask to be permitted to re-
sign