The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-04-08

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Mr.. Payne became a member of
president Roosevelt's cabinet he
Immediately installed Rand in Of
fee as his confidential secretary.
What Rand's official duties are, no.
body around the postomce depart
ment seems to know in the absence
of the postmaster-general. Aside
from acting as chairman Of numer-
ous boards to award contracts call.
ed for by Beavers, Machen and 9TH
CT bureau chiefs, whose conduct is
now being investigated. Rand is
not known TO have performed any
public service since he has been the
postmaster-general's confidential
secretary. He is interested in many
private business ventures with men
who have no official connection
with the postoffce department. but
who make Rand's office their head
quarters when in Washington.
Rand keeps in close touch with
Perry S. Heath, under whose ad-
ministration of the first assistant
postmaster-genera1ship the present
system OF fraud and corruption
gained its greatest strength and
most defiant character. He has
worked around republican national
headquarters in the last presiden-
tial campaign and keeps Heath
closely informed of what goes on in
the postoffice department.
If Bristow makes case against
Rand and the postmaster general
ignores it. it is the general opinion
in Washington that President
Roosevelt will very promptly call
for Mr.. Payne's resignation. In
fact, the bitter fight between Wynne
and Payse can end only in the
president calling for the resigna-
ton of Wynne, his personal ap-
pointee, or that of Payne, who was
forced on him by the republican
national com mmittee.
Washington, April At was
learned definitely today that Post
master General Payne will not re-
turn to Washington before April
10th This news is disappointing
alike to the officials in the postofice
department, who apprehend that
they will be subjected to harsh crit.
icism by their chief for displaying
so great a degree Of interest in sift-
ing the charges of corruption, and
by those who think they nave rea-
son to believe that the postmaster.
general will shield them from harm
when he relieves First Assistant
Postmaster-General Wynne of the
duties of the chief place in the de-
partment.
In view of the fact that the post
master. general will in all probabil-
ity attempt to stifle the investiga-
ton as soon as he returns the be-
lief is growing stronger that Assist
ant Postmaster General Bristow
will consent to the giving out of
the names of the officials found
guilty before Mr.. Payne arrives
here on April 10th. This would
have the effect Of exploding the
mine and of checkmating the post
master-general in his efforts to pre-
vent the scandal from becoming
public property.
Altogether there is an atmosphere
of apprehension throughout the big
AS one of the old
clerks said today: 1--WE shut our
eyes every little while, as we think
the blow is coming. There are in
vestigations to the right of us, in
vestigations to the left of US and
no tall woods to run to. When
Mr.. Payne comes back he will take
a hand in the situation and we
shall breathe again.
It was learned today that Post
master General Payne is receiving
a dispatch daily acquainting him
with the leading events within the
department, which are sent by H.
Fl. Rand, or by big" Gus Machen,
who is being rigidly investigated
by Bristow at the direction of the.
president. Mr.. Bristow has found
proof that there were annual assess
ments in the salaries and allowance
which collected considera-
BILE sums of money which went into
private pockets and were not even
used for any political purpose.
Danger of Colds and Grip.
The greatest danger from colds
and grips is their resulting in
If reasonable care is |