The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-23
DEFICIT N BUREAU
Of RURAL Delivery
IS NEARLY 100000.
Postmaster General Requests
Further Explanation of
Shortage.
FIRST REPORT WAS $4,000.
Entire Investigation of Post-Offce
Irregularities Probably VIII
Devolve Upon Congress.
BRISToW'S FINDINGS DELAYED.
Republican Politicians, Fearing
Effects on the Next Election,
Ask a Speedy Disposition
of the Affair.
Entire investigation of Post-Offce
Irregularities Probably Will
Devolve Upon Congress.
BRIsToW's FINDINGS DELAYED.
TIE Republic Bureau.
14.h 81. ard Peaasylvaria Ave.

3fAiI y. A-4 Se-22is ~ LII Ave
Washington. May @.-Postmas.er Gen
eral Payne to-day asked for an explanation
from air. Mechen OF his sn,o0 estimate
amount that has been discovered since M
Macher was relieved from duty.
1t develops to-day that the letter Of the
q statement OF the condition of the finances
in his bureau. was dated May 5 last.
Previous to this Mr.. Machen had reported
thai the appropriation OF 5000 for the
making Of mars OF the sural-free delivery
port that brought the letter of May 5 from
Mr.. Wynne. In it Mr.. Machen was re-
quested to state the condition Of other
items in the current fscaI year.
Mr.. Machen reported a s2o.oo deficit. and
il is Of this report that the m
General desires further information.
tn deficit disclosures in the free-delivery
branch Of the Post-Ofice Department prob
ably will throw the whole investigation up
on Congress as soon as that body con-
venes.
The Postmaster General will be under
the necessity OF asking an immediate emer-
gency appropriation. He has already indi-
catei that this will be his course Of ac-
tor. THIS will give Congress an opportunity
TO call for the result Of the Investigation
and TO institute. IL It desires. an independ-
ent investigation into the administration Of
the Post Office by especially appointed COM
mittees OF its own members for that pur-
pose.
This result IL looked upon as politically
hurtful by Republican politicians who ave
been urging a speedy conclusion Of the
whole matter that the mind of the American
voter might not be disturbed by any scan
dal IN any portion Of the present admins
tration.
Il is suggested by the opponents Of Mr..
Machen that had he been relieved from
duty ct the instant an investigation Of his
bureau was decided upon, the present large
deficit would not now be staring the de-
partment in the face. Mr.. Machen states
that the $1,000 dehcit reported by him IN
April covered the whole deficit at that time.
The added deficit OF nearly $4,000 since
that time IL caused. according TO his state
nent. by the establishment of additional
rural free delivery routes Most of these
additional routes were ~inaugurated or the
LIST OF May. Still others were scheduled
for the LIST OF June ard a number Of others
were to be opened on June 10.
At the ratio the deficit increased from
April to May it is figured out that by the
end of the fiscal year it would have
amounted to between SD9.eo and sfaW.
Fourth Assistant Bristow stated to-day
that the completion of his report IS not yet
in sight. He declares it 70 be absolutely
impossible for him 10 fix any definite time
as the probable end o. the investigation.
Soue davs ago Postmaster General Payne
stated that Mr.. Bristow's final report would
be in by June /. and would be the first
official document to be placed in the hands
OF the President upon his return to Wash
inston. From what Mr.. Bristow says to-
day. however. the inference is that the re-
port will be much later than this.