The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-05-22
THOUSANDS
THE PROMOTION or PcsToFFIcE
CLERKS FOR THIS YEAR
CANCELLED.
CHARGES AGAINST R1..1;i
FORMER OFFICIAL DULY MOTT.
FLED OF THE ALLEGATIONS
OF TULLocH.

Washington, May 21.-The cancella-
ton of the promotions of over 5000
p%ostofice clerks throughout the coun-
try recently authorized by the depart
ment and a formal notice to Former
First Assistant Postmaster General
Perry S. Heath of the charges made
against him by ex-Cashier S. w. Tul-
loch of the Washington city %postoffice,
constituted the days developments in
the postonce investigation.
First Assistant Postmaster General
Wynne late in the afternoon reported
to Postmaster General Payne that the
tabulation of the clerks in each grade
in postoflces of the first class had
been completed. This work was un-
dertaken in accordance with the Or
der made by the postmaster general
to rearrange the salaries of the clerks
already classified so that the number
in the several grades shall not exceed
the number specifically prescribed in
the act Of congress making Nppropria-
tons for the postal service.S The for
NOR Classification was hads by George
~ Beavers, just prior to his sudden
resignation as chief of the division of
salaries and allowances.
Schedule Is Approved.
The new schedule approved by the
postmaster general after transferring
five per cent from grades where there
are vacancies, as authorized by a re-
cent decision of the comptroller of the
treasury, makes it necessary to cancel
3,046 promotions in the several grades
in which there is an excess above the
l so,, !, 80, ! - xr,IS>I, 49, ryoLlo- 49, 1;~os%
ed by law, and in which grades 7,4lG
promotions have been authorized here
tofore.
The report says: "It will not be
necessary in any case to reduce any
clerk, but simply to cancel 3,O46 out
Of 7,412 promotions heretofore au-
thorized to take effect July 1. 1903.
! We will proceed at once to ascertain
exactly the number of promotions in
each grade it will be necessary to can.
eel at each postofice and then will in
form the postmasters and allow them
to secure the increases which must
be cancelled"
Most of the excesses in the number
in the respective grades of clerks scat
| tered throughout the United States at
first class presidential offices are in
the $500 and $1,000 per annum
classes. The excuses in grades are
divided among eight grades.
Mr.. Heath Notified.
The postmaster general sent to Mr..
Perry Heath a copy of the charges
letter requesting any suggestion he
first official communication with Mr..
| Hath d,1rinu tho inv0cfiUotiNn Mnn0
Of the supplemental answer to the
postmaster generals letter giving the
more definite allegations of Mr.. T1l-
loch have yet been received by Mr.
Payne.
Auditor Castle of the postofice de-
partment was busy during the day re-
viewing the records of his office in
connection with the Tulloch charges
and will submit his reply to the post
master general probably this afternoon
with a request that they be given pub
licity in view of the publications of
the charges. Captain Castle will con-
fer with Comptroller of the Treasury
Tracewell, who also is preparing a re-
ply to the Tulloch allegations.
The end of the investigation is not
yet in sight. Fourth Assistant Post
master General Bristow, who is con
Quoting the work, has not set any date
for his report, for the eason that the
sweeping nature of the Investigation
has made it impossible to indicate
when the whole matter will be ready
to be placed in the hands of the post
master general for final disposition.
It is probable that the report will not
be submitted before the close Of June
or the early part of July.