Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20
RELAXING OF STRAIN
The Impression Given in the
Post Office Department.
NOTHING NEW TODAY
PROPOSED EXEMPTION OF I'M
PORTANT PLACES.
Some Rural Free Delivery Changes
Arrests Expected Next Week
Brooklyn Grand Jury Work.

This has been another day of quiet at
the Post Office Department..
While Fourth Assistant Bristow and his
corps of inspectors have not lost minute
in pushing the investigation which has now
been in progress more than three months,
there was nothing about the manner of the
officials to suggest that any immediate ac-
ton was beng considered.
The general belief is that several arrests
two at least, will be made Monday, fol-
lowing the report of the grand jury of the
District of Columbia, which has been con-
sidering a number of cases brought to it's
attention as the result of the investigation
Postmaster General Payne sent out word
to the newspaper men in waiting at L.
o clock that there nothing to give out.
Throughout the building there seemed to be
relaxation of the strain that eXhib-
tied by officials and employees alike earlier
in the week.
In the last three months there have been
few changes in the personnel of the Post
OHlce department other than those caused
by the resignation of Mr.. Beavers and the
removal of Mr.. Machen and Mr.. Metcalf.
These positions are among the most desir
able in the Post Office Department, as re-
CARDS both salary and influence.
Proposed Exemption of Offices.
There was a rumor today that pressure
had been brought to bear on President
Roosevelt, well as Postmaster General
Payne, to have these positions removed
from the civil service restrictions. Just
what truth there may be in the rumor was
not ascertainable.
The positions of sIperinterd dent of sal
aries and allowances and superintendent of
free delivery will each pay a salary OF
$500 beginning with July l. Congress at
the last session increased the Salaries At
the time the salary of
sistant postmaster general was increased
from $1,000 to $500. and the salaries of
the other three assistants from $1,000 to
S,JGO.
1t might be readily seen that if the po-
sitions vacated by Mr.. Beavers, Mr. Ma
chen and Mr.. Metcalf were to be placed
without the jurisdiction of the civil serv-
ice commission the President and the Post
master General would be fairly inunda ted
with applications from all parts of the
country.
Certain members of Congress are said
to have suggested the idea, but it is be-
lieved that the President, strict and con-
sistent civil service reformer as he has ever
been, will dscountenance any move of the
kind, in view of the conditions that have
been disclosed, particularly in the offices
of the superintendent of salaries and allow
ances and superintendent of free delivery
Rural Free Delivery Changes.
Several changes in the rural free delivery
service We're announced today. 1t is be-
lieved that they were decided upon because
of the investigation. The headquarters of
the Ohio division on July l will be trans
ferred from Marietta to Cincinnati
The middle division headquarters which
have been located at Indianapolis, will be
transferred to Chicago Indiana will be
detached from the middle division and at
tached to the Ohio division.
S. B. Rathbone, who has been in charge
of the division headquarters at Indianapo-
lis. will be transferred to Omaha J. p
Walker. who has had charge at Omaha
will go to Chicago in charge of the middle
division and w. B. Gaitree will be con-
tinued in charge of the Ohio division re-
moving his headquarters from Marietta TO
Cincinnati.
Senator Culberson of Texas was a caller
at the Postmaster Generals office this fore
noon. Former Representative Montague
Lessler of New York was also a caller
Brooklyn Grand Jury Work.
The federal grand Jury in Brooklyn Will
make a report Monday. and it is expected
that several indictments will be returned
against persons living within that district
who are said to be involved in the Post Of
nd