The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-15
Assistant superintendent of the Rail-
way Mail Service Accused by
Man Named Terry.
MR.. PAYNE TO LEAVE TO-DAY
EXPECTS IMPORTANT DEVELOP.
MENTs DURING HIS ABSENCE.
Grand Jury Considering Several Cases
-GeOrge A. Christiancy's Resig-
nation Not Acted On.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE postoffice
inspectors are investigating charges made
against John NJ Masten, now assistant SUI
perintendent of the railway mail service and
formerly chief clerk of the first assistant
postmaster-generaPs Office. A man named
Terry, now in the government service. has
made an affidavit before the inspectors, al
leging that Masten, while chief clerk to the
first assistant postmaster general, proposed
that Terry pay him $50 down and IS or $40
a month to secure reinstatement in former
position in Mastens bureau. Terry charges
that he was originally 5000 employe in
the dead letter Office that he was removed
under an order of Masten and put into the
city postofice, that he protested and finally
that Masten suggested his getting an out
side party, a close friend OF Masten and a
former employee of the postal service, to
help him. The affidavit alleges that Masten
gave Terry assurance that if he paid the
amount mentioned he could get back: that
he went to Masten's house about the mat
ter but did not pay the money. Terry
charges that subsequently he made an af-
fidavit, making these charges and handed
it to Masten TO present TO First Assistant
Postmaster General Johnson and that the
affidavit did not reach Johnson. According
to the charges, Masten subsequently was
asked by Terry for the affidavit and refused
to return it and Terry thereupon placed the
information before the Cilvil-service Com
mission, who took up the matter with the
President.
The federal grand jury in this city is con-
sidering several important postoffice cases
which are expected to prove of widespread
interest Postmaster General Payne said
this afternoon that he expected there would
be some important news during his absence
on his trip along the coast and that he ex-
pected the grand jury would furnish some
interesting developments. There is no defin-
lite information available as to the identity
of the cases but the jury has been working
on them for some time.
An agreement has been reached between
the POstoffice Department and the CIVIL
service Commission regarding the transfer
of employees from other departments to the
provide that in such transfers 1T must be
shown that the person to be transferred
will be employed on ", work TX similar h TO tnat
fcations which will enable him to perform
such work better than a person selected
from the eligible register of the commits
sion. The pending investigation has dis
closed number of irregular transfers.
The resignation of George A. Z. Chris
tiancy, who was given q leave or absence as
law clerk of the department shortly after
the sensational rifiing of the assistant at
torney generals safe by Mrs. Tyner, has
been under discussion at the department,
but there will be no final action before
Postmaster General Payne's return to the
city Mr.. Payne will leave here tomorrow
| morning and will be aboard the revenue
| cutter while it makes it's regular cruise,
which will extend as far as Boston and pos
| sibly I'D TO the Maine coast. He said to-
| night that he had not made his vacation
| plans yet, but that he would like to revisit
| Poland Springs, Me-, il possible. He ex-
| poets to be away most OF the month or
| August
| The report of the inspectors in the case
| of the General Manifolding Company, of
| Franklin, Pa, which employs son of Will
! registry division, with which the company
| had dealings and now chief of the classi-
| fication division. has not yet been SUBJ
| mitted to the postmaster general