The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-27
SMITH MAKES REPLY
Former Postmaster General Explains
the Tulloch Charges Affecting
His Administration.
The Explanation Is Made in q Letter
Addressed to Postmaster
General Payne.

Washington, June 27.-To the charger
made by 8. W. Tulloch of irregularitie.
| in the postal department during Charles
Emory Smiths terms q. epostmaster gen,
| eral, the latter replies at length In 8
letter just received from him by Post.
master General Payne.
While willing, as he declares, to accep,
the fullest measure Of responsibility be-
longing to him, Mr.. Smith expresses the
opinion that, in fairness to himself, some
explanation should be given of the cir
cumstances referred to in the Tulloct
charges. The letter. accompanied by q
large number Of exhibits and excerpts
from the records. is in part as follows:
The Tulloch statement was probed when pre-
sented and the accuracy Of the report made to
me then has never been inpeaehed
These main points may be thus summed up,
First-Names Of military postal clerks were
put on the general role till the military appro,
prtations became available. then they were trans
ferrrcd to the military roll. Il
Second-The bond premiums Of military postal
clerks were paid for good reasons, which are
plainly set forth and which had the approval
Of the controller.
.Third-The purchases of Porto Rico supplies
were made from the regular department CON
tractors named under competition and at regular
contract prices.
ment officials travelling official business were
made as required by the auditor.
Fffth-Ihe lease ct the Washington postofncs
was shown to be entirely justified.
Sfxth-The apparently double payment Of those
employed in examining letter carriers claims II
fully explained.
Narrows Down.
These points embrace all that are specified In
the charges except that items relating to the
appointments which, all told, involve thirteen
pointments were perfectly right and beyond any
question. rs
More than one-half Of the inspectors report
is taken up with statement as to the cases Of
Larner and Smith OF the latter I had no
knowledge and say nothing. Larner had been
appointed military postal clerk for Porto Rico
by the first assistants bureau. He went under
a promise from that bureau Of compensation at
the rate of s1,4oo ayear. About that time
fixed the general compensation of clerks in
Porto Rico at 81 200 year. When Larner re.
s1,4oo, and found inquiry that this was
true. ordered that he should be paid what he
had been promised.
Herman's Bid o. x.
Assistant Attorney General, Rebb Of
the postoffice department has submitted
to First Assistant Postmaster General
Wynne a decision in the money order con-
tract case, which holds that the bid Of
Paul Herman Of New York, who sub
mitted a bid of $4,000 below that OF the
present contractors, meets the require
ments OF law. and that he Is therefore en-
titled to receive the contract.
This is the case which led to the recent
dismissal of Superintendent Metcalf Of
the money order bureau. The present de-
cision has considerable bearing on Mr..
Metcalf's appeal for rehearing, now pend
ing before the president.
The grand jury held a brief session yes
terday, examined several unimportant
witnesses and adjourned until Monday.
What Is known as the Tyner case, in
yolving the abstraction of papers by Mrs
Tyner from the safe in the office of the
assistant attorney general for the post
office department, will probably be placed
before the grand jury early next week.