Evening star., 1903-07-27
DESIRE FOR AN END
WISHES INVESTIGATION COM
PLETED BY SEPTEMBER /.
Indictments Expected Here This Week
Money Order Blank Contract
The Minnie v. Cox Case.

Brstow was at his desk bright and early
this morning. He returned yesterday fore
noon from Oyster Bay, whittier he had been
called by President Roosevelt, who 1t is
understood desired to discuss with him
the progress of the investigation Of the
scandals in the Post Office Department and
to ascertain If 1t would not be possible to
have the investigation completed within a
short time.
While Mr.. Bristow, as all along, main
tains strict silence when asked for an
opinion. 1t is understood that President
Roosevelt will be displeased if the invesu-
cation is not completed by September l.
1t is said that the President has personal
reasons for having the investigation out of
the way by that time, and that he an
nounced his wishes to Postmaster General
Payne before the latter departed on his
coast voyage to Boston.
His Visit to Oyster Bay.
Mr.. Bristows hurried visit to oyster Bay
was the cause of rumor, which was pretty
generally circulated today, that certain
facts had been brought to the attention of
the President regarding a former high Off
cial in the Post Office Department, and
that the President desired to have official
case-in other words, he desired to the
report of the inspectors detailed on the
case.
1t is said that the former official of the
Post Office Department In question is not
now a resident of Washington. 1t is also
said that. by reason of the statute of linn
itationS that is a part of the legal code OBJ
tanning in the District of Columbia, this
former official will be immune from prose-
cution Thursday of this week. July 81, it
having been three years on that date since
he last drew his salary from the Post Office
Department.
lar former official has been under direct in
vestigation by Fourth Assistant Bristow
and his corps of inspectors, and that the
disclosures that were brought to the sur
face by the inspectors were communicated
to the President more than a week ago.
Mr.. Bristow was looking in fine fettle this
morning the result of his brief sojourn
away from his office, the first time that he
has been away from Washington since the
investigation was begun. now more than
four months ago.
The reply of Civil Service Commissioner
Proctor to Former Postmaster General
Charles Emory Smith was discussed great
deal about the Post Office Department to-
day Friends of Mr.. Smith did not hesitate
to declare in terms that were emphatic and
certain that they believed he conducted his
administration with care and honesty and
that the investigation would so disclose On
the other hand, there We're those who ex-
pressed the opinion that Commissioner
Proctor had the better of the argument
the last chapter of which was given to the
public today.
A Mysterious Conference.
There was mysterious conference,
which begun at II o'clock and lasted I'M
til considerably after noon, between Act
ing Postmaster General Wynne and Assist
ant Attorney General Robb. 1t is under
o%N hot
bearing on matters that were discussed
Saturday by President Roosevelt and
Fourth Assistant Bristow at Oyster Bay.
There is little room for doubt that the
grand jury for the District of Columbia
will return indictments within few days
against at least two persons whose names
have been involved in the Post Office De-
partment scandals. There is reason for
believing that the indictments will be re-
turned by or before July 81.
Chief Inspector Cochrans appearance at
the civil service commission building this
forenoon brought forth some comment.
There was a report that an investigation
of the civil service commission had been
ordered, and that President Roosevelt had
ordered 1t. Chief Cochran said that his
visit related to matters foreign to the
post office investigation.
Contract With Hermann.
Acting Postmaster General Wynne init
mated this forenoon that he would for
mally sign the contract awarding the work
of printing money order blanks for the
Post Office Department to Paul Hermann
of Rutherford, N. j.. before the day was
over Mr.. Hermann was informed by wire
that one more formality would have to be
required before the contract was awarded
The acting postmaster general expressed
the opinion that Mr.. Hermann would
doubtless comply with the requirement
without delay
The Minnie v. Cox Case.
The name Of Minnie v. Cox as postmis-
tress at Indianola. Miss, will be dropped
from the federal pay roll April /, 1904, un-
less a change not now contemplated should
be deemed expedient by the Post Office
Department The Indianola post office
evoked great interest and discussion last
winter.
Minnie Cox. who is a negress. became
alarmed over a petition from the patrons
resignation. She closed the Office and sent
her resignation to Washington.
President Roosevelt and Postmaster Cen
al Payne refused to receive the resigna-
ton, believing from the reports that were
printed in the newspapers OF the country
and Information received from other
sources that it had been written under
stress of threats Of violence.
The woman left Indianola and refused to
return to the town and reopen the office.
The President however, ordered that her
salary be continued. the result being that
for many months she has drawn pay from
the governments part OF the time at the
rate of 1900 and later at the rate of
81, 100 year-for the rendering of no SER
vice whatever.
The case has been considered by the De-
partment of Justice and the President HIM
self Is understood to have given 1t more
than ordinary attention.
When Postmaster General Payne left
Washington a week ago last Wednesday
it was understood that he would be away
only ten days. No one seems to know
when he will return. Private Secretary
Whitney went to Atlantic City Saturday
night. He is expected back this afternoon
Grand Jury at Work.
The federal grand jury adjourned today
shortly after noon to meet tomorrow. Be-
fore adjournment two witnesses were
heard in regard to the post office invesu-
cation. Just when the Jury will report
is not known, nor will any of the attaches
Of the United States attorneys office make
any statement. The government officials
are endeavoring to clear up all the post
Office cases in the one batch of indictments
that are to be reported by this jury, and
this is taken as an indication Of the fact