New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-20
P. O. OFFICIALS WORRIED
TRaCEHELL M4T REMAIN.
Report of Conrad and Bondpartf
Makes Sharp Criticisms.
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washington. oct I9-The special report Of
Nfessrs Conrad and Bonaparte on the Tulloch
charges. made 10 and at the special request Of
the President. is still the occasion OF grave I'M
cssiness among certain officials and their
friends. who fear that Mr.. Roosevelt may be
led to take drastic action as a result Of the
radical views OF his two independent and non
partisan commissioners.
The announcement. made exclusively in The
Tribune Of October q that Controller Tracewell
Of the Treasury had been placed in so UNI
fortunate a light at the White House by this
report as TO render his tenure OF office pre-
carious has however. been made the basis OF
several exaggerated and unfounded rumors. As
was said in The Tribune IT that time, Secretary
Shaw regards Tracewell unusually COM
petent official and would be unwilling to part
with him. Mr.. Shaw's estimate OF the Con-
troIler together with the fact that the grounds
on which Nessrs Conrad and Bonaparte have
found occasion 10 criticise him consist Of in
oiderts which occurred several years ago. may
induce the President 70 yield 20 the wishes Of
the Secretary Of the Treasury and refrain from
summary action in this case. The report that
the incident has given rise 10 serious friction
between the President and the Secretary OF the
Treasury is. Of course. entirely unfounded
Messrs. Conrad and Bonaparte, in their re-
port, also cast reflections on Postmaster Mer-
washington.
wei. the conduct which they have criticised
occurred long ago. and Postmaster General
Payne is exercising his good offices in Merrttts
behalf with every expectation Of success
Under the circumstances there is a feeling
shst the advice Of members Of the Cabinet re-
garding their subordinates should have greater
weight with the President than the report OF
two men IN no way associated with the admin
sstration. and present indications are that this
view OF the situation viii be accepted at the
White House.
So complimentary is the Conrad-Bonaparte
report 20 Thomas J. Gilmer. the subordinate Of
Tracewen who began an investigation OF postal
srregularities when Tulloch first called attention
10 them, but was afterward detailed TO other
work by Traoeweu that the President for time
seriously considered appointing him Auditor for
the Postofhce Department. the place Captain
Castle was compelled TO resign as the frst re-
xult OF the Conrad Bonaparte investigation.
When this news leaked out it caused the grav-
est concern 20 the friends OF TracewelL but the
President has reconsidered the matter and has
decided TO reward Gilmer in some other man.
ner.
The publication OF the Conrad-Bonaparte re-
port is anticipated with increasing, rather than
sbating interest Both men have reputation
as Civil Service reformers who regard parti-
,anshfp as inexcusable when it tends to affect
the efficiency Of the government service. Such
being the case they have submitted 10 the
President a report on the rulloch charges which
is drastic IN its criticism OF number Of Off
cisls. and which regardless OF the exact justice
81 SIS findings. promises to make the spiCiest
kind of reading. The President has said that
he would not give out their report until after
she publication Of Bristows report on the inves-
-ieation but that VIII probably be placed in his
hands some tine this week, and the Conrad
Bonsparte report may be looked for soon after