Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-11
THE BRANCH STATIONS
Mr.. Bristow to Investigate
\ Them All.
GEN. DUDLEY'S FEE
CALLED ATTENTION OF OFFICIALS
TO THE SUBJECT.
Gen. Payne Expected to Arrive Tomor-
row-Report on Turf Investment
Case Ready.
GEN. DUDLEY'S FEE

6IlStOW mas lnStltut0O an AnVeStiSdiAoAs Va
the circumstances governing the establish
ment and maintenance of all the branch
stations and substations of post offices
throughout the country. The object is to
determine the necessity. of such stations
and whether influence or collision OF any
sort between officials and outside parties
are responsible for their existence. The re-
cent acknowledgment of Gen. William w.
Dudley, the former commissioner of PEN
sions, that he accepted fee of 800 for Sc
curing the establishment of a substation in
this city for druggist called the attention
of the officials to the subject.
Postmaster General Payne. who was ex
pected to arrive in Washington at o'clock
this afternoon from attending the wedding
ceremony of Senator Hanna's daughter and
Mr.. Mccormick at Cleveland, has postponed
his return for a day. He is now expected
tomorrow. In his absence the investigation
has been carried steadily forward, but
Fourth Assistant Bristow. who is in charge
of the inquiry has taken no action against
any employe, and as this is the only way
his progress can be marked by the reading
public, there have been no developments.
The Turf Investment Company Case.
1t Is understood that when Mr.. Payne re-
turns Assistant Attorney General Balch
will lay before him a review Of the opin-
ion in the case Of the Ryan Turf Invest
ment Company issued some months ago
by the then acting assistant attorney gen.
eral, G. A. G. Christfancy.
The opinion In the Ryan case, signed by
Mr. Christiancy, was drawn UP by Assist
ant Attorney Daniel " Miller, who Is al
legged to have received a part Of a 5000
bride for its preparation. and was based
on similar ruling in the case Of the Ar
mold Turf Investment Company Of st.
Louis. signed by former Assistant Attorney
General Tyner.
There is no charge that Mr.. Christiancy's
action in the Ryan case was Influenced by
any personal considerations
The sending of letter to the Ryan peo-
pie by Mr.. Christiancy telling them OF
the action in the case has bee nalso
brought into question in view of his re-
fusal to sign a letter Of like character pre-
viously to the Arnold people. but it is ex.
planned that the two cases are not parallel
Arnold case and the inspectors reports were
adverse to the company, whereas In the
Ryan case a hearing had been given and
the inspectors reported the company as
complying with the regulations.
The New York Sun today. speaking OF
the history of the matter, says:
History Of the Case.
"Mr Christiancy had been assistant at
torney to Assistant Attorney General
Tyner but a short time when he realized
that Harrison ]. Barrett, former assistant
attorney in the department. a nephew of
Gen. Tyner. and at that time practfcfng
attorney before the assistant attorney gen.
erals office. had altogether too much In
fuence with Mr.. Tyner. While Mr.. Chris
tiancy had no actual proof Of wrongdoing.
he resented Barrett's interference to such
a degree that he broke off his former
friendly relations with him.
"At length affairs reached such state
that Mr.. Christiancy wrote out his reSigna-
ton and decided to hand it in at any fur
Their evidence Of Irregularities. Then Gen.
pv,d
away from the office for some months. re-
turning to his desk on December II for the
specific purpose Of writing letter to the
Arnold Turf Investment Company. inform
ing them that after an investigation the
case against the firm had been closed
Harrison j. Barrett was attorney for this
company.
General Tyner. having dictated this let
ter asked Mr. Christiancy to sign it. He
refused. Mr.. Tyner then demanded that
his subordinate comply with his wishes.
Mr.. Christiancy again declined, and finally
rendered his resignation. Mr.. Tyner waved
the matter aside. however, and signed 1t
himself.
After the signing of the Arnold opinion
Mr.. Christiancy went to Postmaster Cen
eral Payne and told him the circumstances.
adding that, while he could not say that
the opinion was improper or was not based
on facts. 1t had never been the custom to
write what amounted to a letter of recon-
mendation to firm that had been under
use of the mails
When the Ryan case came up Mr.. Chris
tiancy signed ruling to the effect that
under the present statutes no action could
be taken against that concern. This opin
ion was based on that signed by Mr.. Tyner,
and questioned by Mr.. Christiancy to the
Postmaster General. Mr. Christiancy had
previously suggested to Senator Hoar.
chairman of the Senate judiciary commit
tee that the statute in question should be
amended SO as to cover the operations of
race tipsters and turf investment concerns.
After the action of the st. Louis police
authorities against the two turf investment
companies in question Mr.. Christiancy
again went to the Postmaster General and
insisted that II Gen. Tyner. who still held
his title and drew his pay. Notwithstanding
he had not been near the department in
months, were allowed to interfere further
in the affairs of the Office and to set up
precedents the following of which reflected
seriously upon the acting Assistant At
torney General he must insist that his
resignation be accepted. Mr.. Payne as
sured Mr. Christiancy that in view Of the
state of affairs. Gen. Tyner would not be
permitted to further direct the affairs of
the assistant attorney generals office. and
on this condition Mr.. Christiancy re-
manned"