The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-22
POSTAL OFFICERS DISMISSED,
". ". LOUIS, CHIEF or SUPPLY
DIVISION, IS ONE or THEM.

He Sent Ink 10 Country Post Omces by
the Cellarful- Louis kempner. super.
intendent OF Registry. Also Out-OttO
weis OF the New York once Must 60.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2l.-As a result of
the recommendations contained in the
report Of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Brstow Oh the postal service
scandals, which will be handed to President
Roosevelt some time this week, Postmaster
General Payne to-day summarily dis
missed from the postal service Michael
W. Louis, chief Of the supply division of
the Post Office Department.; C. b. Terry,
one OF Louis's subordinates. and Louis
Kempner. superintendent OF the registry
system. Mr.. Payne also issued an order
directing the Postmaster at New York
to remove Otto Weis, clerk in the New
York office and the collector for the "pro-
motion syndicate"
The statement Of the reasons for these
dismissas given out at the Post Once
Department is as follows:
Michael W. Louis has been removed
from tho office Of superintendent Of the
division Of supplies because the recent
investigation shows that he influenced
the awarding Of contracts for supplies
to favored bidders; that he has been ex-
travagant and wasteful in the admins
tration Of his Office, and that he has paid
excessive prices for supplies to favored
contractors.
Louis Kempner. superintendent Of
registry system, has been removed for
incompetent and negligent administration;
for wasteful and reckless extravaganza
in sending expensive manifold registra-
ton books to large number Of small fourth
class post Offices, and for violating the
revenue laws by a system Of petty SNUG
Cling.
&C B. Terry clerk in the division Of
supplies, has been removed for making
false afidavits. attempting to obtain money
from clerks under the guise that he could
influence their promotion, and for general
inefficiency
"The Postmaster at New York has been
directed to remove Otto Weis, clerk of
the New York post Office. for collecting
money from clerks to influence legislation
and to procure promotions"
1t had been known for some time that
Louis was in danger OF losing his official
head. While the inspectors assigned
to the supply division did not unearth
sufficient evidence upon which to base
criminal proceedings, the bureau under
Louis was in such condition that it
was determined to remove him. II was
decided, however, TO wait until Fourth
Assistant Postmaster-General Bristow COM
peted his report, and then proceed accord
ing TO the recommendations it contained.
One of the complaints against Louis
for which considerable basis was found,
was to the effect that he increased the
purchases OF his bureau by sending out
quantities of stamping and other kinds
OF ink to small post Offices throughout
the country. The inspectors began their
investigation OF this matter following the
receipt by Postmaster General Payne Of =
letter from postmaster In little Fr-
GINA town, who wrote:
"For Gods sake stop sending me ink
The cellar is full Of it now, and | calculate
that there is enough here to last this office
for the next century.
Just after this letter was received the
postmaster must have received another
shipment of ink, for he again wrote to
Mr., Payne in part, as follows;
Good God, more inkl A long az you
seem to have so much Of the same brand
and as have no place to store IL, | would
like permission to paint my house with it.
I find it makes good paint when mixed
with oil.
There were also other charges against
Louis in connection with the purchase Of
various other kinds Of supplies for the
postal service.
Several months ago an nvestigation by
customs agents and post Office inspectors
disclosed the fact that Supt Kempner of
the registry system was using his position
in smuggling small quantities Of cigars
;,to ba nit afa oh ha Inv,
Of the registered mails Some Of the cigars
he was in he habit Of selling to his friends
and acquaintance. The rest he smoked
himself.
c. B Terry who was dismissed with
Louis and Kempner, was small salaried
clerk in the depart ment, who made some
money ION the side" by bluffing his fellow
clerks into believing that ne had influence"
and could get them promoted or fired, as
he chose. His case is Inside fro N the post al
service scandals proper, but af7ordsa good
indication an to the general situation in the
Post Office Department
otto Wes, who was ordered removed
from the New York Post Office, is reIrem-
bercd in Washington principally because Of
his connection with the rotc rious pro
motion syndicate" which was managed
from the Department in Washington, but
which did ts most profitable business in
New York. The inspet tors learned that
Weis was collector for the syndicate,
and that he turned in the contributions
and payments he received from fellow clerks
to somebody higher up" The public has
nevcr learned yet Just who this somebody
IL. and Mr. Bristow's report is awaited with
interest for this. If for no other reason
The dismissal of Louis is significant,
owing TO his close relations with former
First Assistant Postmaster-tieneralH Heath
during Hcaths term OF Office. He was
appointed by Heath, they having been rt-
mate companions prior to Heaths entry
into Office, and was one of the principal
representatives of Heath in the Depart