Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-09
CAUSED A SENSATION
MR.. PAYNE'S STATEMENT TEN
DAYS AGO RECALLED.
Fireman Dover, Who Made Some
Charges, Removed This Afternoon
by Formal Order.

of Mr.. August w. Machen from the posi-
ton of general superintendent of free de-
livery.
From time to time during the last few
weeks there had been rurnors that Mr..
Machen was to be removed. pending the
investigation. but he held on is his position
with tenacity that melted the pride of his
friends and which led to the belief that he
was strong enough to overcome any pre-
JUDGE that he might have brought upon
himself.
To try and fathom these rumors was one
of the principal objects of the horde of
newspaper men who have practically been
encamped at the Post Office Department
since the alleged scandals became a matter
of publicity
Every day Postmaster General Payne
was pesleSed with questions relating to the
subject and his answers ere invariabl, o
the effect that he had not the suspension OF
Mr. Machen under consideration.
Payne's Statement Ten Days Ago.
little more than week ago when the
Postmaster General had seemingly become
tired of answering these questions he die
'ated statement to a representative of
he Evening Star in which he declared
that Mr.. Machers removal pending the
investigation had not been thought of; that
II request were TO come from the fourth
assistant postmaster general showing that
Mr.. MaChen's presence in the free delivery
office was in any way retarding the investi-
cation, or If there were brought to his (AIr
iayne 81 attention charges against Mr..
Machen that could be substantiated, then
he (Mr. Payne would act forthwith
The fact that Mr.. Machen showed no in
clination to retire while the investigate
was being pursued. coupled with this state
ment of the Postmaster General led to the
general belief that Mr.. Machen was firmly
lntrenched In his position and that no at
tempt would be made to disturb him.
SO 1t was that. when the announcement
was made that Mr. Machen had been sus-
pended. it was accompanied by a feeling
or more than ordinary interest on the part
of the public. which has all along thought
II should be taken into the confidence -
those conducting the investigation
Mr. Payne said today there was nothing
10 be said regarding Mr.. Machen's suspen-
SION other than what was contained In the
correspondence given to the press and
which viii be found below. Fourth Assist
ant postmaster General Bristow was also
uncommunicative on the subject
Did the President Order TIP
There was feeling prevalent about the
Post Office Department today that the s,s
pension of Mr.. Machen was due directly tn
orders received from President Roosevelt
who has been in touch daily with the de-
partment and who was led to believe that
Mr. Machen's suspension had become a
matter OF expediency
The fact that Senator Iodpe who 10
known 10 be close personal friend of the
PRESIDENT. had taken an interest In the IN
NesiiEatton and had called on Postma ster
General Payne within the last few DAYS
M"u us snare In shaping this opinion so
freely expressed today
Mr.. Machen did not come down IN bis
once this forenoon. Mr. Fosnes who was
Aptlhed yesterday that he had been de-
'hled upon as Mr.. Machen's temporary sue
usual '''a'
lie was in conference with Chief Inspec-
tor cochran In the latter's Office for some
tline- About $50 Mr.. Fosnes, accompanied
by ms chief, walked over to the division
81 Tree delivery and formally took possess
sion OF the office
no changes in the personnel of the
DIVISION We're announced. If any are under
e"n'ehlpiauon, Mr. Fosnes. Chief Cochran
ana The fourth assistant postmaster gem
eIal nave each studiously refrained from
giving any informa ton on the subject
postmaster General Payne said this
"ile[hooh that he wanted to correct a feel.
ing 'hdt seemed to prevail about the de-
partment that First Assistant Postmaster
General Wynne had not been conferred
wi'h IN the matter of suspending Mr..
The Postmaster General said Mr.. wvnne
was informed of the intention of RENEW
ing Mr.. Machen pending the Investigation
ana That Mr.. Wynne approved of II and
aogulesced in the order.
Fireman Dover Removed.
Tie Postmaster General this afternoon
caused the removal of James Dover. who
was employed fireman in the denart
ment. The statement given out bv Mr.
Payne IS as follows:
! ne Washington Evening Star of April
contained an article which was based
upon charges filed with the department on
'hat day by James Dover a fireman en-
pi"yed In the department
These charges were referred to the
tourth assistant postmaster general. who
detailed an inspector to fully investiga te
ana report thereon. This has been done
and fun and free opportunity given 10 Mr.
Dover TO substantiate the statements made
by HIn. The report of the inspector closes
in these words:
q" The evidence presented shows ,,ar,, co,
clusiveiy that Dover did not always yield
willing and ready obedience to his superior
9tlcers. and he is reported by Assistant
Engineer Anderson as having melted or
having attempted to incite other employees
TO acts of INSTRUMENTATION bowers let
ter of complaint contains statements con-
hrming the declarations to his dssa It's
faction with his assignments and acts of
INSTRUMENTATION, as he states that he pro-
tested against certain orders of his superior
be demoralZing to the force and utterly de-
structive Of discipline
" Mr.. Dover has permitted his feeling of
resentment over his failure TO secure a
promotion to betray him into dlsseminat-
ing scandals and recklessly formulating
charges involving the official integrity OF
his superior officer. Some of his charges
are grossly eXagg Grated, while other
charges, as shown by the sworn statements
Of his associates, are absolutely untrue.
James bowers charges have not been sus-
tanned
The Postmaster General upon full con-
sidera ton OF the case. believes that the &C
ton OF Mr.. Dover in making the frivolous
and scandalous charges. giving then, pub
licity ami then falling utterly to sustain
them. is to the detrment of the service and
was calculated TO discredit the department
and subversive of all discipline. 1t is there
fore ordered that he be discharged for the
good OF the service. to take effect this
day
Dower's Charges.
Dover. as printed In The Evening Star of
April /. made charges of favoritIsm against
James ODonnell. chief engineer. and incl
dentally against Mr.. Blaine Taylor, the
chief clerk OF the Post Office Department,
and Mr.. Merchant, the dsbursing officer.
The charges were in writing, and after