New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-31

No Important Developments 10
Examine Leases.

Washington. May 30-To-day was observed as
a holiday in all departments except the Postal
Inspection Service, where the inquiry into postal
administration pressed vigorously Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow. General
Superintendent Fosnes of the free delivery sys-
tenn, Mr.. Bristow's chief assistant III the lnVesl-
CATION: Chief Inspector Cochran and several OF
the inspectors were in conference most OF the
day over details of the work. Postmaster Cen
eral Payne was not at the department to-day
There were no important developments, and the
investigating officials say that rome are eX-
pected within the next forty-eight hours Inc
policy of the investigating officials is TO proceeu
conservatively, and to predicate arrests only on
what they regard as conclusive evidence. Ihey
say no further arrests in immediate con-
temptation.
The published suggestion that the defence Oh
former Superintendent Machen will be that lie
was a partner in the firm of Croft Brothers'
which had the contract for furnishing patent
fasteners to the government, it is declared Is
without foundation. and the statement Is mace
that this is not the line OF Mr.. Machens de-
fence.
There will be Il thorough examination OF the
leases of postofTices throughout the country
when investigation Of the affairs Of the salary
and allowance division is taken up actVels.
This is the division of which George w beavers
of BROOKLYN. \. Y. was the head Wheh ne SUI
denly resigned several months ago. The leases OF
third class postoffices. which constitute by far
the largest number of the three PresdenIaF
grades number approximately thirty-fve hun
dred and are limited in specific terms by law 10
2 maximum OF 500 year, plus $50 year FOR
fuel There is however, no limit Whatever
governing the rentals of the first and second
class Offices and the amounts the government
contracts to pay for rent of such offices are
governed by local conditions and, of course, very
considerable All propositions for leases are
investigated by inspectors and assistant superlh-
tendents of the salary apd allowance DIVISION
While approved by the First Assistant PostlnaS-
ter General the leases really are passed on by
the head of the salary and allowance DIVISION
The purpose of the investigation Will be TO
ascertain whether there has been any faVorltlsm
or collusion In arranging leases or any excessive
rentals paid. There has been steady average
increase in postoffce rentals as postal business
has expanded. but there is as yet no onlclal lhui
ra+ior thar abnormal rentals have been paid
No computation Of any kind. however, has been
mad nv the department along this line. ana the
inspectors have not vet taken hold Of TINS phase
of the case When this task is begun 1t Is prop
abla that inspectors will be sent Wherever the
rentals aDuear to be abnormal This work Will
NOT begin until Investigations into otneT
branches Of the postal service which call for
more immediate attention nave oeen h1hSheu'
There are other matters in the salary ana al
loIva0ce division which will be investigated
It is said that more than one go-between may
have figured in the alleged TRANSACTIONS WhlLh
led to the arrest of Mr.. Machen the heao Oh tile
fraa delivery service but the Investigating off,
Gals refuse to Givulge any information on TINS
point The inspectors believe they have estah-
Iished the identity of at least one alleged go
ba+v-ae,, in transactions between the CIroH
Brothers and Mr. Machen, and he is under close
yei1lanCe