Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-06-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
u q Lima q

James M. A. Watson, Jr., clerk I'D
the auditors office of the District gov
eminent, and the proprietor of a pub
lication called the News, has been
found to be short in his accounts.
The sum is said to be in the neighbor-
hood of $40, 900. Watson is under
guard of the police and the commission
ers have been in board session until late
this afternoon on the case. His arrest
is expected this afternoon.
Indications day by day point more and
more strongly toward an investigation OF
II. H. Rand, of Wisconsin, who occupies
the anomalous position Of confidential
secretary TO the Postmaster General, but
whose only official duties seem to be
those of chairman of the purchasing
committee of the PostOffice Department.
Rand is known to have been close
personal and business associate OF
Machen. During the period that the
latter's division was under investigation
Rand il known to have conferred
frequently with Machen. The inspectors
became irritated over the knowledge
that Machen seemed to be fully advised
concerning their work 1t was then,
after the division had been under in-
yestigation six weeks, that Fourth
Assistant Bristow made a formal and
successful request for Machen's removal.
Mr.. Payne warmly defends Rand. de
says he has known him for over 81
wears. that he has found him an upright
and honest man, and that he believes
Rand business connections with Machen
have been entirely proper. Fourth
Assistant Bristow has declined to take
up any investigation of Rand, per-
ferring directions from the President be-
fore entering upon an inquiry that
would lead him inside of the doors OF
his superior Rand came here with the
Postmaster General as his confidential
clerk.
President Gompers of the American
Federation of Labor was interviewed on
the building strikes situation today.
"Reports on the subject are much exag-
gerated," he said, Nothing serious is
to fear, and nothing serious will result.
There are some disputes in the building
line. A good many men are out, per-
haps thirty thousand all told. But these
disputes are of local character and extray-
agant reports concerning them are given
out by the employers. The fact is that
since some employers associations have
organized they want to antagonize and
crush the unions, and as a result every
defensive labor movement is heralded in
extravagant terms. Much is made OF
lockouts and strikes in the public press,
while but little attention spaid to settle
ments quietly made and to victories
achieved by organized labor. Thus, there
was much said about the carpenters
strike in Philadelphia, and but little OF
the settlement, whereby the carpenter:
gained an increase in wages with an
eight hour day"
In the absence of Postmaster General
Payne, who has gone to Cleveland to at
tend the Hanna Mccormick wedding,
postoffice affairs were not discussed al
the Cabinet meeting this morning. The
Kishinef massacre was considered briefly,
On this subject the President has moi
yet made up his mind to take any official
action.
Before President Roosevelt and Post
master General Payne started for Cleve'
land to attend the wedding of Senator
Hanna's daughter, Mr.. Roosevelt gave
out an order which extends the postal
inquiry throughout the country. All
Offices of pOstmasters suspected of being
in collision with the department grafters
are to be investigated. Evidence has
been brought to light showing that tc
some extent postmasters throughout the
country had been acting in collusion
with the department. grafters. They per-
mitted Beavers to force all manner OF
needless and useless supplies upon them
and acquiesced in everything Macht
did, with an apparent regard fo
Machen and Beavers which they die
not have for the good of the service
Those men the President will reach for
and rigid Investigations will be made il
their Offices.
President Roosevelt is said to favo
Governor Taft, of the Philippines, as
vice presidential candidate next year
1t is said that Senator Beverage, o
Indiana, wants the nomination, but thu
President has set his face against it
Gov Taft is from Ohio, and would b
enthusiastically endorsed by his State
A report comes here from Pennsyl
vania that Senator Quay, remembering
the time when Senator Hanna's vott
kept him out of the Senate on the ap
pointment of Governor Stone, believe
that, as a result of the Ohio incident
Senator Hanna has been weakened, ant
the time is suspicious to pay old score
and rehabilitate himself in the part,
councils. Consequently, it is reported
the Pennsylvania Senator has decided t
stand for election to the Craftsmanship
of the republican national committee ant
fight it out with Senator Hanna. Tn
report finds few believers here, thougl
democrats would be amused at figh
between Senators Quay and Hanna.
A fraud order was issued by the Post
Office Department this morning agains
the Mutual Benefit Union, of Chicago
ILL.,, bond investment company.
The orders issued yesterday to Rear Admir-
al Sumner, at MOntevideO, to take his vesst
| 10 Valvo Ebila rQu0lrad tOdQV hi
the Navy Department, upon cable advice
from the United States minister at the latte
city TO the effect that the strike situatio
is reasSuring.
Secretary of the Navy Moody has restore
10 his class Midsbipman Grafton A. Beall, {