The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-06-25
CHIEF MEICAE REMOVED.
Head of the Money Order Division
of the Post Office Department
Loses His Job.
He IS CHARGED WITH INDISCRETIoN.
Anything WrOng-AnOther Indict-
ment VIII Probably BE Found
Against August w. Machen On a
Charge of Forgery.

Washington, June 1S.--As result of
alleged indiscretion in matters per-
tanning to the award of contracts for
printing the money order forms of the
government, James T. Metcalf, for
many years superintendent of the
money order system of the post office
department, was yesterday removed
from office by the postmaster general
A full investigation of the case will
be made later. The dismissal is the
result of acts of Mr.. Metcalf in opposi-
ton to the bid of Paul Herman, of
Rutherford, N. j., the lowest bidder by
$45 900 and in favor of the next highest
bidder, the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck,
Crawford company, of New York, OF
which Mr.. Metcalf's son is an employe.
Not Amenable to Law.
Postmaster General Payne, in an
nouncing his action, stated that there
was no charge that Mr.. Metcalf had
done anything that is amenable to the
law, but said that his conduct was
serious indiscretion that could not be
overlooked. Mr. Metcalf, he said, al
ways has been considered faithful
efficient, painstaking and honest en-
ploye.
Long in Service.
Mr.. Metcalf originally was appointed
from Iowa and has been in the postal
service since 1882. During his admin
istration of the office the money order
service has been widely extended by
mutual arrangements with large
number of foreign governments
throughout the world and Mr.. Metcalf
has had cordial personal relations
with many foreign postal officials. His
salary was $4,000 year.
Denies Wrongdoing.
Mr.. Metcalf, when seen, said that he
has done nothing wrong, and has moth
ing to conceal, that his sons employ
in the bidding firm could have no eff
feet on the award, that he suggested
Herman's return to his old company
to handle the government work there
because he (Metcalf) knew that Her
mans means were limited, and that a
stoppage of supplies in the midst of a
contract term would have proved seri-
Gus.
Accused of Forgery.
1t is believed that the grand fury
will shortly be asked by the post of.
flee authorities to find another IN
dictment against A. w. Machen, the
former superintendent of the free de-
livery system. The charge, it Is said
will be forgery, based upon the cash.
ing of check for 1860, drawn by the
cashier of the New York post office in
favor of Henry L. Lorenz, of Toledo
O. 1t is claimed that the money was
to have been sent to Mr.. Lorenz in care
of Mr.. Machen. The check was cashed
in this city, being Endorsed by Frank
X. Raymond, who says he had the
check cashed from Mr.. Machen. Mr.
Lorenz has declared that the sigma.
lures both on the check and voucher
accompanying it are forgeries. He de-
clares that he has not received cent
Of the money and has no knowledge OF
the transaction.
Inquiry Extended.
Washington, June 19.-President
Roosevelt's blanket order that the in
vestigation of the postal scandal
should be pursued to the bitter end is
bearing further fruit. Charges of ir.
regularities, arrests and indictments
have been based hitherto upon the re.
suits of Investigations in Washing on
New York and Brooklyn. The scope
has now extended to the post offices in
Chicago, st. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas
City, Mo-, and New Orleans.