Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-09
PAYNE FIRES
SupT. MACHEN
-------
More Sensational Developments in
Postoffice Department.
GIVEN "LEAvE OF ABSENCE I"
such IL the Enphemlsm Employed TO
Plaster Tho Wounded Feeling OF
supt, OF Free Delivery system.

partment which has been dragging
along for two months, took sensa-
tlonal turn this afternoon, when, by
order df Postmaster-Gene Payne
August w. Maohep, general superin-
tcndent OF the free delivery system,
and one OF the most widely known
government officials in the United
States, was relieved from his duties
and Postoiilce Inspector NJ. c. Fosnes
was designated to take charge OF that
service. The change will take effect
tomorrow morning, when Mr.. Fosnes
VIII assume charge Of the free delivery
service. and AT the same time that
service win pass under the control Of
the Office Of the fourth assistant post
master-g general Heretofore It has been
under the Jurisdiction OF the first as
sistant.
The action OF the postmaster general
was taken on the written recommends
ton OF the fourth assistant postmas-
ter-general, who Is directing the lnves-
tlgation OF the affairs of the depart
ment, that the transfer OF Mr.. Machens
bureau 10 his jurisdiction and It's adj
mlnistration BY postoftice inspector
would expedite the investigation. In
ordering the change the postmaster
general gave Mr. Machen leave Of
absenceruntil the investigation ~ con-
Guided,
WANTS FULL INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Mschfn promptly acqulesced in
the decision OF the postmaster-g general,
taking occasion 10 say that In doing
so, that he courted the fullest invest-
cation Of his official conduct. Mr..
Machen has been under fire ever since
the invssiigatlon began. Charges Of
various kinds have been preferred
against the administration of the free
delivery branch OF the postal service.
These included allegations of collision
with letterbox manufacturers In the
furnishing OF boxes to postoiiice rat
rons, especially on rural mall routes,
and the appointments OF carriers. etc.
There also has been conflict be-
tween Mr.. Machen and First Assistant
Postmaster General Wynne ever since
the latter, assumed office. Mr. Wynne
charges Mr. Machen with insubordlna-
tIon The strained relations between
,uc head Of the free delivery service
and other officials resulted In an en-
barrassinS state Of affairs. and for sew
eral months correspondence between
the general superintendents OF the free
delivery. service and his immediate gu
perior. the first assistant postmaster
general, had been conducted, on the
part Of the former, through one OF his
suhordinates.
The fourth assistant postmaster
general all along has been Of opinion
.A.ox he No. n no
would be served by the relief Of MIR,
Machen, and has pointed out TO the
postmhster-generai that action was
imperatKely necessary 10 the success
full conduct OF the investigation,
PAYNE's DECISION
Late this afternoon, before a large
number OF newspaper men. Mr. Payne
announced bis decision and read the
correspondence between himself and
Mr. Machen, together with the recon-
mendation Of the fourth assistant. The
latters Recommendation, made under
date Of yesterday, was made as fol-
lows.
In order to complete the depart
mental investigation now In progress
In q more expeditions and satisfactory
manner. ! beg To request that the d.
assigned 10 the bureau Of the fourth
assistant postmaster general and that
I be authorized TO assign a postofiice
Inspector Of said division during the
continuance OF this Investigation"
LETTER TO MAcHEN,
The letter Of the postmaster general
20 Mr. Machen was as 70 lows
II IAN In receipt OF request from the
fourth assistant postmaster general
that the division OF free delivery be
temporarily assigned to his bureau and
that he be authorized to assign post
office inspector as the acting general
superintendent OF said division during
the continuance Of the investigation
now In progress. In conformity with
this request have issued the following
order, to take effect at the c0mence-
ment of business on the 9Th inst.
"The division OF free delivery, here
tofore under the supervision Of the
first assistant postmaster general Is
hereby transferred and assigned "a the
fourth assistant postmaster general
and the regulations Of the department
are hmenned In conformity herewith
you are hereby granted leave OF abb
sence until the Investigation is concud-
ed. and viii turn over the division OF
free delivery 20 the control Of NJ c.
FosneS postofllce Inspector who has
been designated ms the acting general
superintendent Of the free delivery sys-
tenn"
MAcHENs REPLY.
Following was Mr. Machens reply
II am IN receipt Of your lettei 81 this
date advising me OF your order. 10 take
effect on the 9th inst. transferring the
division Of free delivery from the SUI
pervislon OF the first assistant post
mastcr-seneral. | also note that l have
been granted a leave OF absence until
the Investigation now In progress s
concluded. and that during my absence
Mr., NJ. c. Fosnes, postotllce inspector,
VIII be acting general superintendent,
OF the free delivery system.
In conformity with your instructions
will turn the division over to Mr..
Fosnes tomorrow morning. In this con-
nection desire TO state what have
said 10 you heretofore that court the
fullest Investigation Of my official con-
duct and stand ready at any time TO
aid IN the investigation nov In prog
ress. as | am unconscious OF having
done wrong.
Postmaster General Payne, In dis
clissng the matter. said he believed the
correspondents told the whole story.
He said his conclusion to relieve Mr..
Machen was reached yesterday after
office hours The fourth assistant. he
said. had come TO his office and they
had conference. during which he |
presented his letter requesting 10 be /,
put into full charge OF the Office IN or
ier TO expedite the investigation. He |
ieNinefi 10 say whether the change |
a. mid Hn In haf
nended on the results Of the 'nvestiga-
Him