The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-30
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
AND THE POSTOFFICE
Developments in the Alleged Frauds
Being Closely Watched.
From Harper's weekly. J


Those who imagine that the frauds
| imputed TO the Postofice Department
will escape rigorous investigation are
reckoning without Theodore Roosevelt.
There has never been a man in the
White House. who. confronted with cor
Tuption on the part OF his sflbordiuateg
would be more certain to suiite and
spare not The Presidents character Il
well known to the members Of his Cab
met. and for that reason, II for no other.
we are indisposed to credit the insinu-
alton that Postmaster GeneraT PAYNE is
inclined to minimize the maIfeassnes
with which officials under his control
are charged. Not since the whishy
frauds and the star route cases has pub-
lie suspicion OF Federal of1eeholders
been SO thoroughly aroused. nor is there
any doubt that the accusations, II well
founded, indicate that the Postofiee De-
partment Is honeycombed with dishon-
esty. The superintendent of the divi-
sion of salaries and allowances and the
Assistant Attorney General for the
Postofflce Department have been allow
ed to resign under FIRE, but We do net
believe that. il the charges against
them are sustained, the President will
permit them to go scot-free. The ex-
posture of the departments rottennesz
began when assertions were made by
employees in the New York postof1es
that the division of salaries and allow
ances was controlled by a syndicate
which was systematically bIaekmaiIfng
ton OF an increase OF salaries.
The Assistant Attorney Generals Office
is accused of having thrown open the
facilities of the United States mails to
lottery and 'get-rich-quiek" companies,
by divulging 20 them the kind Of cir
culars which would be officially sane
toned. The Central Labor Union OF
Washington has presented to the de-
partment long series OF charges.
Among the improper acts alleged are
the acceptance Of condemned and de-
feetiye mail bags and defective mail
locks: the purchase ofstamping machines
at a cost OF SIS apiece, although the
same work could be done with ma
chimes costing from $50 to 81; a four
years contract with a Binghamton
clock company. in concluding which the
normal conditions Of publicity, advertise
ment. and bid Opening were violated; the
giving Of advance tips concerning the
appointment of postal carriers to wagon
building firms. the representatives OF
which would thereupon visit the pros
pective appointee and inform him that
unless their make OF wagon should be
used by him he would not receive his
commission. We are sorry 30 hear that
Postmaster General Payne, when in
formed of the leak just mentioned. e.
serted that II could only have occurred
among the employees Of the Civil Service
Commission He is singularIy Him
formed regarding the details OF his own
Office If he is not aware that the ex-
aminations for postal carriers are con-
Quoted, not by the Civil Service Com
mission, but BY a board OF FIVE persons.
every one Of whom is an employee Of the
Postofice Department. Those who
imagine that the scandal in the Post
Office can be bushed up are likely TO
find themselves woefulIy undeceived
when the President returns from his
Western tour