Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-07
POSTAL PROBE GOES DEEP
Payne Decides to Investigate Management
Of All Larger Offices.
ADMINISTRATIVE METHODS YEARS OLD
For Fourteen Years Few Changes
Have Been Made, Though Business
Has TrebIed and Irregular
Methods Possibly Resulted.

WASHINGTON, May GA far-reachins
extension Of the present investigation on
the Postofice department to include most OF
the large ofhces In the country Is in con-
temptation. This statement was made today
by Postmaster General Payne.
Mr.. Payne said the increase Of $1,000 in
the appropriation for the contingent ex-
penses Of his own once had been made to
allow the Investigation OF the department
along these lines, but he admitted that II
was not at that time anticipated that the
inquiry would prove so sensational.
The details Of the proposed general In
vestigation, have not yet been formulated,
but It has been decided to include all first
class postoflces whose annua receipts ag-
gregate $500. 900. Mr.. Payne said that the
present administrative methods OF the pos
tai service we're established by former
Postmaster General wanamaker, fourteen
years ago, since then the business OF the
department has trebled. It might be that
some Of the methods we're faulty and the
practices irregular, consequently the inves-
t~igation would be made in the hope of ini-
tisting new and better methods as we'll as
to correct abuses.
Government Seeks indian Lands.
Inspector Mclaughlin OF the Indian bu-
reau has been ordered to the Unitah res
e%rvation in Utah to negotiate with the In
dams. who own the reservation, for the al
lotment of a part Of their lands and the
cession Of the remainder to the govern
ment. The law authorizes the authorities
arbitrarily to open the reservation in case
OF failure to reach an agreement.
Major HOwse Submits Reply.
Major Robert L. Howse, charged with
cruelty to Filipinos during his service in
the philippines. has submitted his reply TO
the charge to the secretary OF war. All
the papers In the case have been submitted
10 the Judge advocate general for a report.
Will Revise Geneva Convention.
Delegates. TO represent the United States
at the International conference at Geneva
which Is TO revise and extend the Geneva
convention OF 1864 under which the various
Red Cross societies are recognized in one
have been designed by the president as
follows: .
Francis B. Loomls. assistant secretary OF
state; General George B. Davis. Judge adj
vocate general of the army and Commander
sargent, United States Navy. whose an
pointment was announced today.
Russia Holds Railroad MonopoIy.
In the Persian series the diplomatic ex.
changes which will appear in the forthcom i
ing volume OF foreign relations Is the fol
lowing communication to the State do,
partment from Lloyd c.. Griscom. who al
the time Of its writing was United States
minister to Persia:
have the honor to inform you that in
view OF the many inquiries received at this
legation In regard to the possibilities OF
obtaining concessions for the conRtructIou
OF railroads In Persia I have recently put
the question TO the grand vizier, and wa
informed by him that an agreement exists
between the Persian and Russian govern.
ments whereby no railroads shall be con,
structed In Persia excepting by Russians
or the russian government for a period Of
ten years from the accession OF the present
shah: This agreement has several years
still to run.
Grain Report on Monday.
The grain crop report of the Department
Of Agriculture will be given out this montl
on Monday, the 10th OF the month fallinI
on Sunday. The report will embrace tn,
condition Of winter wheat, rye, meadow
moving land and spring pasturage. Tn,
acreage and condition of the cotton crol
will be announced on June 8.
POstOmce Changes in Progress.
The twentieth annual readjustment O
salaries OF presidential postmaster
throughout the United States is now q
progress. The readjustment involves abou
5000 postmasters. Most Of the change
are increases. The appropriation for sal
aries for next year was increased $3.50 ,00C
There will probably be eighty or ninet
fourth class postofhces advanced to tn
presidential grade on July 1. and the indi
cations are that 100 third class presidents