New-York tribune., 1903-07-23
HIS PAY ACCOUNTS FALSE
HEDGES rs DISMISSED.
Another High Postal Official Re-
moved on Charges of Fraud.
IFRoN TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington July 22-Charles Hedges. the IN,
innate friend and business associate OF H H
Rand and August W. Machen. was summariIyi
dismissed to-day from his place of superintend-
ent of city delivery for falsifying his pay ac-
counts. statement citing a few of the in
stances in which Hedges has defrauded the gov
ernment was issued by Fourth Assistant Post
master General Bristow. although it is known
to contain only small portion of the reprehen-
sible practices with which Hedges has been
charged.
The dismissal OF Hedges is the first Of the five
confidently predicted in these dispatches on
July n. The list also included the names Of H.
H Rand. VI. A W. Louis. John NJ Masten and
W. D. R. Hazard Attention was first called
70 the necessity of dispensing with the services
of Hedges in The Tribune OF June T. when IL
was shown that he had used his official position
to exploit mining company, the stock OF which
he attempted to sell to postmasters. It now
appears that when he inspecting this same
mining property in Mexico he was charging the,
government a per diem OF 81 and making oath
to the statement that he was engaged in gov
ernment work at various places. when in fact
he was not at those places on the dates men
toned in some instances being hundreds OF
miles away.
An even more serious charge against Hedges.
and one that II proved would render him IiabIs
to serious penalties is still under investigation.
1t is to the effect that. as was told in The Trib-
une of June 20 he and H. H. Rand were trnpli-l
Gated in lobbying through Congress the claim ot
one J. w Parrish for ice that melted in 1868.
Because Of the gravity OF this charge and the,
fact that the confidential clerk OF the Post-l
master General is involved. Mr.. Bristow is pro-,
ceeding carefully and thoroughly. and will taks
no step until the chain OF evidence is complete.
The extreme penalty for a government clerk
who assists in lobbying a bill through Congress
is fine Of not more than 5000 imprisOn-
rnent for not more than one year, or both
CAUSES OF THE REMOVAL.
The statement issued by Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow is follows:
Charles Hedges was to-day removed from the
office OF Superintendent OF Free Delivery for
commission. He reported himself at various
places on public business. when. in fact. he was
not in those places on the dates men1lonsd. out
elsewhere. in some instances hundreds OF miles
distant. on October p. 1900 he states under
oath In his diary that he was at Joplin. No, on
extension OF free delivery service. Wnens IN
fact he was in Mansfield. Ohio. attending the
funeral Of ex-Sec-etaTy John Sherman On De-
cember = 1899. he reports himself az san Az
tonic Tex Investigating carrier service
y,btIa In fact he was in Mexico examining min
ing property. In the month OF OctoosF. 1870
a w Machen. Superintendent OF free DeiNery.
yvas sick with typhoid fever. and Hedges was az
- RECRUITMENT acting as Superintendent. In
bJs diary he states. under oath, that he was at
various places namely, New 3rk, Fhiiaaelphla.
ssctfTaIlv engaged in travelling on the business
Of the free delivery service Assistant superin-
of 81 a day in lieu OF expenses for each day
engaged actually travelling on the business Oc
the department. Hedgess false statements as
70 his whereabouts on these days were mani