The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-04
Unless They Cease Using His Name in
Connection with Postoffice Scan
DIAL He Will Prosecute.
NOT INVOLVED IN ANY WAY
ABNER M'KINLEY MERELY ONE OF
A. w. MACHEN'S FRIENDS,
But Investigation Shows He Is Not Inn
plicated i'm the Dofngs of the
Alleged "Grafter."
But Investigal

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Aug. 3.-Practically vim
dictated by Postmaster General Payne and
incensed by the use of his name in connec-
ton with the postoffice investigation, Abner
Mckinley, brother of the dead President,
Is on the warpath and has notified several
newspapers and certain Washington CORE
spondents that if further publicity is given
him proceedings will be instituted charging
civil and criminal libel. MIR. Mckinley ap-
pears to be very much in earnest, and is
said to have advised certain newspapers in
New York, through legal channels, that he
will no longer tolerate what is declared by
his friends Ito be slanderous aid libelous
rumors affecting his good name.'
AS far be learned in unofficial
quarters Mr.. Mckinley is not involved in
any of the illegal transactions developed I'm
the Postoffice Department. For many years
he has been a close friend of August w.
Machen, former superintendent of free de-
livery, and it is believed he has had bust
ness relations with the latter. but the best
information that can be obtained here is
that the investigation SO far develops that
Mr.. Mckinley is in way involved in
the department scandal.
There have been some interesting Incl
dents during the past few months relative
to alleged libelous reports concerning per-
sons said to be involved. A. w. Louis, chief
of the supply division. was informed by a
friend several weeks ago that certain Off
cial in the department had circulated re-
ports charging that the official conduct of
Louis had not been above reproach. AS the
story was told to Louis it was clearly libel
Gus. Louis at once informed the gossip that
unless he retracted within twenty-four
hours he would Immediately proceed
against him in the courts. Louis got the
apology and did not file suit.
Charles Hedges, recently dismissed as SUI
perintendent of free delivery, some time ago
threatened to sue Washington correspond
ent for libel and did not change his mind
until removed from the department on a
Charge of classifying his accounts.
The investigation now proceeding in the
department is the Outgrowth of an attack
| on Machen made by the local papers last
fall which was continued with vigor for
| four or five weeks. Machen threatened
| legal proceedings and was about to insti-
| tute suit in the courts when the attacks
ceased. Shortly thereafter an investigation
| was ordered by Postmaster General Payne
and Machen has been indicted on many OF
| the transactions enumerated originally in
| the local papers.
| AS far as can be learned the only basis
| for connecting Abner McKinley's name
with the postal scandal is his close friend
| ship for Machen. That contracts in which
Mckinley was alleged to be interested have
| been investigated by Fourth Assistant Bris-
| tow is generally believed, but Postmaster
| General Payne himself is authority for the
statement that Mckinley is not involved.
| The postmaster 0eneral said further that
| no matter how prominent a man might be,
| it would not alter the fixed policy of the
| department to ferret out bribery or cor
| ruption in the slightest degree.
NIX
Rural free delivery will be established al
| Algiers, Pike county, Indiana, on Sept. l.
The service will cover an area of twenty.
\ civ couara MILES with uop,,lafiop IF I oSe
John Nj. Kirby has been appointed reg
| ular carrier and Ira Brim, substitute on
| the rural route at Heltonville, Ind
1 Catharine Stump was to-day appointed
postmistress at Tasting, KOsciusko, coun-
| ty, Indiana, vice Lizzie Cummings, re-
| signed. JOHN e. MONK.