The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-12
Investigation Ordered, Notvithstand-
ing N Vigorous Denial ny super
intendent A. w. Machen.
MANY PosToFFrcEs AFFECTED
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS OF
CLERKS TO BE HELD UP.
Inquiry to BE Made at New York-De-
lay Probable at IndianapoIis-Im-
portant Changes in the Army.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, April 11.-Acting Post
master General Wynne to-day took cogni-
zance of charges which have been made
against employees and officials OF the de-
partment. He has ordered an invcstiga-
tion into the manner by which orders were
issued for promotions and allowance OF adj
ditional clerks at the New York postofiice-
He also has ordered an inquiry into charges
that leaks exist in the division controlling
rural free delivery routes. These charges
were filed with Fourth Assistant Postmas-
ter General Bristow by a wagon manufac-
turing firm Of Peoria, ILL.,, which alleges Il
has been baked in its efforts to sell rural
delivery mail wagons by the favoritism al
legged to have been shown by the rural free
delivery division to a certain Indiana firm.
The Peoria concern claims that the Indiana
firm has been given a tip in advance when
ever a rural free delivery route has been
established and that by receiving this In
side advance information the Indiana firm
has been enabled to get on the ground first
and secure a contract for a wagon of it's
make. The complaint is also made that
rural carriers obliged to buy the wagons
made by the Indiana firm in order 10 be GER
tain OF appointment When seen tonight
A w. Machen, superintendent Of free de-
livery, said: THE charge is absolutely
false" 1t is understood the orders pro-
viding additional clerks and allowances fcr
all large postoffices. including that at Indi-
annapolis and other cities in Indiana. will be
suspended pending the investigation into
the New York Office. 1t has been stated
that the conditions that prevailed there
extended into other cities throughout the
country. 1t is stated. however. that not
the slightest suspicion is entertained
against any postal official in Indianapolis
or throughout the State.
DETAILS OF THE CHARGES
The Associated Press says: There were
two developments to-day In the affairs
of the Postoffice Department. The first
was the filing of charges that advance in
formation has been furnished wagon man.
ufacturers regarding rural routes and the
other was the issuance OF an order to
Postmaster Van Cott. OF New York city. d.
recting him to hold up all OF the promotions
and extra clerk allowance cases recently
announced for the New York city service
for the next fiscal year. Fresh charges
were filed by Western establishment en-
gagged in the manufacture of vehicles, al
leging that competing houses had got
the benefit OF advance Information regard
Ing rural free delivery routes and the ap-
pointment of free delivery carriers. The
charges allege that the complaining COM
pany. upon announcement OF appointment
OF rural carriers, gave Instructions to their
agents In various sections TO negotiate with
them for the sale OF the wagons bug
gies or other vehicles fer use in PERFORM
ing the postal service and that In a num-
ber OF cases cited the agents made reply
that the carriers had previously procured
their outfits. sometimes. it is asserted.
eral weeks before. 1t is also alleged that
In one instance cited a representative OF q
certain factory was accompanied on the
route by the regular carrier thereof. the
latter advising and urging. the sale OF the
articles offered by the commercial repre-
sentative. The complainants say in the
charges that the conditions. cited ''savor of
the star-route methods Of twenty or twen-
ty-five years ago."
When the attention of acting Postmaster
General Wynne was called to these charges
he refused TO discuss them, but admitted
they had been filed and would be turned
over to the inspectors for consideration.
An order issued to-day by acting POST
master General Wynne directs the post
master at New York 10 withhold any action
on the promotions and other allowances re-
Gently ordered and to return certain OF
these cases. The full list of promotions 20
be made i'm the New York office will not be
finally made up until the cases are thor
oughly investigated. Postmaster Van Cott
will be held responsible for any promotions
lndt ne inuOrstSs anu any not lnoortt0 DF
him in the usual way will not be allowed TO
go through There were LIS promotions
and an allowance of 300 additional clerks,
at $500 per annum.
In connection with the Investigation an
apparently routine order OF the acting post
master general, issued to-day, regarding
the initiating of mail is significant The or
der directs that hereafter chiefs OF division
and bureaus shall check by initials the mail
which has TO be passed upon by the first as
sistant postmaster general, and that no such
official should have the right TO delegate TO
a clerk or any person the right 20 use such
initial in checking communications. This
action Is intended 10 hold the persons az
fixing the initial TO a responsibility for the
paper so checked. instead Of permitting an
offlcial to let another affix his signature.
with the possible disclaimer OF such paper
on the ground that IL was signed by an
other.