New-York tribune., 1903-04-24
SUMMARY ACTION TAKEN.
Mr, Tyner Perem ptorIy Dismissed
By the Postmaster General.
EBT TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.I

By TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. April 23.-The most startling and
remarkable development in the postoffice in
vestigation occurred just before the department
closed this afternoon, when Postmaster General
Payne announced the summary dismissal of
James n. Tyner. Assistant Attorney General for
the Postoff1ce Department. formerly Postmaster
General and one of the best known public men
in Washington. coupling with the announcement
the sensational statement that all the papers
and records in the safe of the Assistant Attor-
ney Generals Office had been distracted by Mrs,
Tyner. the wife Of the dismissed official, with
the assistance Of others. Other sensational de-
velopuents are expected to follow The ques-
tion OF arrests is now under consideration, and
will be passed on Immediately by Attorney Cen
eraI Knox.
The facts are told briefly in the following
letter Of dismissal sent to Mr.. Tyner by Post
master General Payne late yesterday afternoon;
Washington April -. 1903.
Hon. James N Tyner, Assistant Attorney Cen
eraI for the Postof1ce Department
Sir: You are hereby removed from the once
OF Assistant Attorney General for the Postof11ce
I deem il proper to give you the reasons for
this summary action on the part Of the depart
ment Early in the month Of March com
municated to you, through mutual Irlend'
request for your. resignation. After palnIuI
interview with you ana a more g;Ll1 - ~ g.
with Mrs. Tyner, / consented TO modify the de-
Iuand for your resignation that I might lahe
effect on May l. 1903, with the proviso, however
that YOU were given leave of absence from lhe
time of the acceptance of the resignation 10 the
date of lis taking effect with the uhue5s , Ltiilo
ing that you were not in any way 10 undertake
TO discharge the duties OF the of1ce
Yesterday afternoon MIS- 1 NheT came ~
the Office OF the Assistant Attorney General Tor
the PostoFice Department entering in the reg
7lIar way went through the main cfnce 10 the
private Office closing the door behind her- Sne
then unlock ked the door entering rom the puDIlc
hall into the private room and admitted heT
sister Mrs Barrett whose son was formerly as
sistant in your office. and whose conduct IS
now under investigation by the department.
She also admitted. in the same manner, q II.
Hammer an expert in the employ Of the Mosler
csfa CoTnnany with whom she had made an ar
Management TO meet her at the department. Al
her direction Mr.. Hammer opened the saIe III the
room and she took therefTOm al papers, rec
orde and articles Of every kind and carried theth
J71,,,,a5iataIy- uDon learning what had been
done 7 directed the Fourth Assistant Postinas-
fer General to send TWO inspectors % your mousse
70 demand. in The name OF the FUSLiilt9'ti -
,,,o,-r ~ o+ro- materials which had been an
e+raC+a6 from the safe This demand was re-
+usad bv Mrs Tyner. and she likewise reIuStu
- ~or,r5i+ -re inspectors to YOU or TO see
and examine the papers IN neI p5 p5sselie. ~ 80
T,-1er further stated TO the postofflce llSit os
- e,7a committed the act with your knowledge
nc nc p, - direction Further comment on
~ rsr,sa c-fon on my part. Is not necessary.
The facts n The case VIII t - - - 80
Attorney General Of the United states lor So soCt
ac+for in the premises as he may deem proper
Very respectfully - ~ r-o~o1