Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-06
n EAR|NG c AN END
Belief in Regard to Post
Office Investigation.
BEAVERS A WITNESS
EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN COURT
FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
Vacancies, It is Thought, Will Soon Be
Filled by Mr.. Payne, Under
Civil Service Rules.

The investigation Of the Post Office De-
partment scandals is, in the opinion OF per-
sons who have watched its progress care
fully. nearing an end.
In the early part Of the investigation
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bris-
tow, who has been the active director,
thought he might be able to make a report
by the list Of juno.
AS the investigation progressed compdca-
tons arose and the disclosures were such
that he changed his opinion and refrained
from hazarding another guess
There has been much speculation as to
the status Of Mr.. George w. Beavers, who
resigned from the position Of superintend-
ent of salaries and allowances when he
learned that an investigation Of his office,
among others, was to be made.
Mr.. Beavers has remained in Brooklyn,
his home. since he left the Post Office De-
partment. There has never been time
when the inspectors could not have had him
within short notice II Fourth Assistant
Bristow had desired that he be taken into
custody.
Speculation as to Beavers.
For three months the office Of superin-
tendent of salaries and allowances has been
in charge of one Of the post office inspect
ors, who while acting as superintendent
has at the same time conducted an investt-
cation Of affairs in the Office
There is growing feeling about the Post
Office Department that Mr.. Beavers will
prove an interesting witness for the gov
ernment in certain of the cases that will
be tried by the courts as the result of the
general Investigation
Postmaster General Payne has given
some attention of late to the question of
appointments to fill vacancies in the de-
partment caused by dismissals and indict-
ments Of division chiefs and employees in
volved in the scandal
Mr.. Robb, who was appointed attorney
general for the Post Office Department when
James N. Tyner was removed, following
the rifiing of the safe in that office by Mrs.
Tyner, does not. 1t is understood, care to
remain in that position
The Postmaster General gave out the
statement at the time that Mr.. Robb did
not care to leave his position as attorney
connected with the Department of Justice,
and that he accepted the new position with
the understanding that 1t should not be
permanent. The positions pay the same
salary and in his old position Mr. Robb had
better opportunity for progress in his pro-
fesson.
Vacancies to Be Filled Under Civil
Service Rules.
The positions made vacant by the res!g-
nation of Mr.. Beavers and the removal
Of Mr.. August w. Machen two of the
best in the Post Office Department. Con-
gress at the last session increased the sal
aries attached to these offices and they be-
came effective July l.
Now that the contract for printing money
order blanks has been awarded Paul Her
mann of Rutherford. N. j., it is believed
that no further attempt will be made to re-
open the case Of Mr.. James T. Metcalf,
who was removed from the position of
superintendent of the money order division.
This makes another good position to fill.
These positions all come under the juris-
dfction of the civil service. and the appoint
now holding Office in the Post Office De-
partment. Several other important places
have been made vacant by the results Of
the investigation and they will be filled in
strict accordance with civil service regu-
lations. Hitherto the civil service commits
sion has exercised only a nominal tersdic-
ton of post office appointments, but it will
henceforth have closer supervision.
MI. Payne to Return Wednesday.
Postmaster General Payne will not return
from his short rest in the Catskills until
Wednesday morning when 1t is expected
he will take up the matter Of appointments.
Advices from the Catskills are to the effect
that the Postmaster General is enjoying
the cooling breezes Of the mountains and is
feeling much tnvfgorated
First Assistant Wynne Is acting postmas-
ter general during Mr.. Payne's absence.
Friends Of Mr.. Wynne had some merriment
today by questioning him regarding the
clerk to the Postmaster General. They
wanted to know If Mr.. Rand served in the
same capacity to the acting postmaster
general while the Postmaster General was
away.
This was dull day at the Post Office De-
partment. Saturday having been a holiday
throughout the country. there was little
official mall and the officials and clerks
alike had respite from the usual Monday
morning grind.
There was a rumor about the department
this afternoon that Mr.. Rand would not act
in the capacity Of confidential clerk to the
Postmaster General much longer and that
another position Of less prominence would
be provided for him.
months that Private Secretary Whitney
has had anything like a respite from work.
Since the investigation began more than
three months ago few have been the days
that he was not kept at his desk until after
dinner time, and many times until late in
the evening.
Representative Tate Of Georgia was a
caller at the department this afternoon.
Analogous to Star Route Frauds.
Records found on file at the Post Office
Department show an interesting analogy
between some Of the star route frauds and
some Of the Irregularities that are being
Investigated now.
John D. King, now the head Of the civil
service committee Of the rural free delivery.
and who has been identified with some Of
the copper mining interests with which H.
H. Rand. the Postmaster Generals former
confidential clerk. is connected, was an in
vestigator Of postal irregularities over q
score Of years ago, and his reports now
form part Of the Interesting record Of the
probing Of the famous star route frauds.
He was an inspector at that time. ana has
since been In charge OF the New York divi-
sion of inspectors.
One Of the most striking cases then in
vesttgated was the fraud perpetrated on
the government in connection with the star
route from Coulson to White Sulphur
Springs. Mon. via Olden. Martinsdale and
C0pperopolis, a route for which the gov
ernment paid t26,776 for a seven -times-a-
week service on q twenty -nine-and-one-
quarter hour schedule. while letter was
lucky to get over the route in five times
that amount of time. There were few per-
sons on the entire route. despite tho Inn