The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-18
1DLLoCH'S SPECIFIC CHARGES.
,RREGULARITIES AND FAVORIT-
ISM IN r. q. DEPARTMENT.
the First Instance OF Irregularity He
Charges to Perry q. Heath--Attempt
to Foist blanket Bonding Company on
Employees-Instance OF Fayoritism.


Employees Instances OF Fayoritism.
WASHINGTON. May 17.-The statement
made by Seymour W. Tulloch, former
cashier Of the Washington Post Office, In sup
port OF his allegations concerning irregu-
q, iarties in postal accounts. which. was 40
severely criticised by Postmaster-G General
Payne yesterday afternoon, was made pub
lie tonight
Postmaster General Payne. in a talk with
the newspaper men yesterday afternoon,
referred to Tulloch's statement as stump
speech" and said that while 1t was full
Of charges. allegations. accusations and
insinuations, and in some instances names
and dates and specific occurrences were
siven, the former cashier had failed to pin
down things. and hence the document was
Of very little use to the Department as
an aid in the present investigations.
In the very beginning OF his $4,000 word
statement Mr.. Tulloch says that "in all
instances Of irregularity and favortism
the proper allowances, records and vouch-
ers we're most carefully executed and kept,
as rule, and little information can be
ascertained on investigation of the same.
The real facts, those behind the allowances
known to few-those interested who will
not. and others, clerks, who dare not, talk. y
Mr.. Tulloch says that irregularities in
the Post ONCE Department practically
began under the Mckinley Administration.
The first instance he names ia that OF a
demand by First Assistant Postmaster
General Heath that his travelling expenses
be paid out Of the funds Of the Washington
Till t1,ok ,hAn
informed that 1t was not regular to allow
vouchers for this purpose, said
Look here. now, this is new Admins
tvation, and q new crowd and We intend
10 make our own precedents.
Mr.. Tulloch adds "that they did 80 has
been painfully apparent to the country
for some time. Thus early incurred the
enmity OF the office Of the First Assistant
Postmaster General and perhaps had the
Auditor promptly and properly sustained
me, other irregularities would not have
been 40 boldly attempted, or tho Office OF
the Auditor been placed In the position
where it was compelled to overlook many
things which followed"
In relation to an alleged attempt to foist
a blanket bonding scheme upon employees
Of the postal service instead OF allowing
them to give personal bonds direct. Mr.
Tuloch says that former Superintendent
Beavers OF the salary and allowance di-
vision is reported to have said to high
official Of the postal service: Senator
Platt Of New York would appreciate the
fact if he would select the Senator's bond
ing company"
MIR. Tulloch alleges that despite a regu-
lation of the postal service that a post
master shall not give information con-
corning the address or residence Of any
patrons OF his Office. First Assistant Post
master General Heath issued an order
directing the postmaster at Washington
to turn over to the agents of a house-to-
house collection box company the route
books of all letter carriers, sin order that
these agents might send to all residents
an official communication bearing the
heading Of the Washington post office,
and seemingly requiring. under the ap-
prov1l Of the Department and over the
facsimile signature OF the postmaster,
the purchase and use Of this box. This
circular letter the postmaster never saw +.
never had any connection with, and only
became aware Of 1t after 1t had been mailed.
He protested to the Department against
such unauthorized use Of his name and
seeming official Endorsement, but to no
effect" g..
Mr.. Tulloch sites an instance where a
New York capitalist is alleged to have
been urged by the then Supt. Beavers Of
supt Machen of the Free Delivery Division
to invest large amount OF money in q
scheme known as 1.-THE Economic Postal
Association and which Mr.. Tllloch as
sers was Of doubtful utility, or profit '
feeling was manifested toward him by the
First Assistant Postmaster-General be-
canse he would not pay vouchers for SER
vices or supplies upon personal request
or by directions over the telephone
advanced money to a. friend Of the name
Of j Holt Livingstone by means OF Govern
ment vouchers and ostensibly In payment
for Office furniture, which in fact had not
been delivered. Tulloch rays that Living
atone told him confdentially one day that
structed., According to Mr.. 1hilloch, a
number OF these occurrences caused First
Assistant Postmaster General Heath TO
designate him as an Nobstacle.
In speaking OF favoritism in appoint
ments under tho Heath regime, Mr.. Tulloch
'Oliver H. Smith Of Munoie. Ind. was
an intimate friend and associate Of Perry
8, Heath, and it was necessary to do some
thing for him The First Assistant Post
mAster-General on Nov. 20, 1907, wrote as
follows;
have this day allowed you 1.-THE Washing
ton postmasterl $500 per annum to provide
f.: iss the Of fire.. o dsvs II d ds
lon will also allow him % day. This
frequently recommended by you.
This last sentence was piece OF pleas
antry on the part Of Mr.. Heath and an evil
dence Of his dry humor. He used the ex-
preston at your request, or in accordance
with your Recommendation in connection
with many appointments concerning which
the Postmaster was entirely ignorant and
for whose services, II he received them at
all, he had no use or need.
Mr.. Tulloch asserts that although Smith
was absent in Indiana for several weeks
around election time, and was detailed at
Camp Alger for long period, he continued,
under direct order OF Mr.. Heath, to draw
his 81 a day repairing and painting letter
boxes Mr.. Tulloch adds:
Just before Mr. Merritts appointment
"A Postmaster this laborer and mechanic
was designated auditor OF stations at u, 700
year. Upon Mr. Smiths promotion he
was succeeded In his arduous duties by
Nathan H. Baker, another intimate OF Mr.:
Heath's and who was afterward appointed
assistant superintendent OF city delivery.
The following para graph In the statement
that to which Postmaster.G General Payne
took bitter exception yesterday and spoke
OF AS An evidence OF irreverence and extreme
bad taste on Mr. Tulloch's part
Mrs. katherine Endsley. sister OF Mrs.