Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-12-17
HEATH IS INVOLVED.
The Investigators of Tulloch
Charges Accuse Former AS
sistant Postmaster General
ALL PROSECUTIONS BARRED
Because No improper Official Act of
Any Public Officer or Employe is Al
legged Which Did Not Occur More
Than Three Years Before July II,
1so3-Grave Abuses Revealed.

ISVS-1FdVC ADJUSTS nSNV0sSAt
Washington, Dec. 11,-Messrs. Con-
rad and Bonaparte have presented
their report after an investigation Of
the charges made by S. w. Tulloch,
formerly cashier of the Washington
postoffice, against the administration
o. that Office. The report points out
tina. all possible prosecutions are
barred. on account of the fact that no
improper official act on the part of any
public officer or employee is alleged
which did not occur more than three
years before July II. 1903"
Continuing the lawyers state that
they have met with considerable diff :
Guilty in their investigation. on az
count of the fact that they were re-
peatedly confronted with an assertion
on one side and denial on the other
as to a question of fact. with no means
to determine which statement is
true.
Heath Involved.
The tendency to evade answering
charges. the report says, is illustrated
forcibly by the answer Of Perry S.
Heath we regarded this answer
it continues, altogether insufficient,
and no less unsatisfactory in sub
~, \.
inference to be drawn from Mr.. Heath's
complete failure to meet and explicit
ly accusations with have charged
him with many acts. of doubtful pro
priety,' added to the facts appearing
from the record evidence laid before
US. oblige us to say that at least a
strong prfIna facie case is presented II
willful and reckless disregard by tn .
late first assistant postmaster general
of obligations imposed on him by the
regulations of his own department as
we'll as by the statutes of the Unite1
States and we feel it our duty to ada
that suspicion of his personal integrity
must be inevitably aroused in our judg-
ment by an impartial consideration of
the facts submitted to us and of his
plainly inadequate explanations"
Abuses Existed.
The summary and conclusions of the
report are as follows:
AS result of our inquiry in the
.Tulloch charges and of the consider
atoms herein set FORTH we have the
honor to report that, In our judg-
lnent.
The discussion Of the 'Tullocf,
charges has revealed the existence OF
deplorable and gravely discreditable
abuses during the years 1898, 1899 and
1900 in the Washington postof1lce ana
the office of the first assistant post
master general.
These abuses have involved con-
duct on the part of various public Of
ficials which was certainly often ille-
gal and may have been sometimes
criminal but such offenses. If COM
mitted, were in all eases committed
ordered to investigate the Charges
and, so far as we are clearly informed,
more than three years before Mr.. Tul-
loch's interview OF May last.
The evidence laid before lis sug-
gests the possibility and even proba-
bility, but does not prove, that abuses
may have continued both in the de-
part1nenf and in the postofiice suisse
quently to the early summer of 1900.
when we lose sight of them, and that
in connection Herewith criminal acts
may have been committed within the
period of limitation.
tina Ky, Ia
for the above mentioned abuses and
the resulting scandals appear TO have
been Perry S. Heath, then first assist
ant postmaster general, ana George
w. Beavers, then chief CT the salaries
and allowance division.
Charles Emory Smith, late post
master general: James p. Wiilett, late
postmaster of Washington. now de-
John A. Merritt, now post
master at Washington; Robert j.
Traeewel. comptroller. and Henry a.
Castle. auditor for the postoffice de-
partment. all appear to have shared
In some measure the possibilities;
the late postmaster general for his
seeming failure, Notwithstanding re-
psated warnings. to appreciate the
gravity of their misconduct and the
consequent necessity for Its prompt
and adequate punishment; the two
postmasters for liberation Of these
abuses and obedience 10 plainly i'm
orders without exposure or APP
protest; and the auditor and
for acting or lax and ar
b;trary principles in the administra-
ton of their respective Offices. where
by the payment of Illegal and SEEM
ingly fraudulent claims by the treas
ury was rendered possible.
I'VE recommend:
THAT a thorough investigation be
ordered of the administrations of the
postoffice. of the New
York postoffice and of the administra
ton of the office Of the first assistant
postmaster general within the last
three years. We have been favorably
impressed by the zeal. fidelity and in
teiligence Of the postofftce inspectors.
and deem them fully competent. under
the supervision of the fourth assistant
postmaster general, to conduct such
as is here suggested.
THAT a carefully chosen, small
be appointed by the pres!-
dent to report a plan whereby the
work of the offices of the comptroller