The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-08
Defends Counter Charges Made
 by Postmaster Merritt
EXPLAINS PAY ROLL SYSTEM
Former Cashier of Washington Post office Quotes Usual Custom as Ex- cuse for Alleged Irregular Pro-
 ceedings-Tells of Work.

Washington, June 7.-Seymour w. Tul- loch, formerly cashier of the Washing ton city postoffice, under date of June 8, has written a letter to Postmaster General Payne in response to replies re- ceived from Postmaster Merritt of the Washington postoftice and others to the charges of maladministration made by MT. Tulloch against the management of the local postoffice. A large part of Mr. Tullochs letter Is in defense of counter charges made by Mir Merritt against MT. that under his (rulloch's) regime as cashier of the Washington postoffice, quarterly payrolls were required to be signed in blank, even If true would but produce a smile in Washington, where probably the greater portion of govern mental employees sign payrolls in blank"
 But he says that the fact Is that this custom, usual elsewhere, was prohibited eighteen years ago by the then post master general, and the only payrolls signed in blank were when postal clerks at distance or other employees expecting to be absent were at their request, and as a personal favor, given the privilege of signing in advance, the law requiring the voucher going to the auditor to be personally signed by the employe. He says that at the time of payment all figures had been previously filled in, and that false payments could not have been detected easily, and fraud was impnssi- abast had been put In while MT. Tulloch was cashier he says, was only an attempt to discredit him, and even MT. Merritt ad- mits that the transaction was directed by the postmaster. recognized by the assistant postmaster, and the money re- tained paid to persons duly designated.
 How Substitutes Serve.
 The facts however, he says, are that substitutes named by the civil service commission serve the postoffice without pay except when they fill temporarily the places of clerks and receive their pay As some clerks failed to pay their sub stitutes, the postmaster directed that pre- vious to payment of clerks who had been absent the signed receipt in full of the substitute should be put in the clerks pay envelop and the amount 1t called Tor re- tained and paid to the substitute by ms division superintendent. The particular instance cited by Postmaster Merritt ne says, was where an employe after drunken spree. was fined rather than dis missed, and the money divided by his superintendent among substitutes for ser vices rendered, the postmaster by writ ten order directing the cashier to do so. MT. Tulloch declares that while In office he did report irregularities to his im- mediate superiors and the inspectors. lie denies the charge that he was merclnary with the late Postmaster Willett ana says MT. Willett himself suggested pay ment to the writer for settling his ac- counts and that he (Tulloch) offered to do 1t for Mir Willett personally for noth- ing, but later 1t was arranged some Of the clerks should do the work which re- lated chiefly to Porto Rico.
 MT. Tullochs letter then continues:
 TuIIoch's Letter.
 "In closing may I state that 1t has not been shown to the contrary in any Of the replies thus far published that irreg- ular payments were made from local funds Instead of by the proper disburslng officer of the department; that an attempt was made to cause all employees to bond under a single blanket bond furnished by a favored company; that the regula' tions of the department were Violated Tn forcing a letter box in which prominent officials were said to be interested upon the public. even to the unauthorized use of the postmasters authority and against his protest; that payments were directed for articles not delivered that persons were paid two or three salaries and per formed little or no service; that physi- clan was illegally appointed whose posi- tion was a sinecure. ] have been told that a s3OO operating table was purchased for private use and charged to the de- partment as postal furniture; that promo tions were suggested upon provise or oiVi- sion with high officials in the department, that persons were appointed from whom no service was required upon a. com nlinentary roll; that arrears in Porto Rico were not fully recovered; that useless iunkets were frequent to Porto Rico and Cuba; that persons paid from the military postal service had their salaries continued for months after ceasing all service, and that salaries were also continued after service had ceased to take up irregular expenses"
 As to the reply of former First Assist ane Postmaster Feneral Heath, MT Tul- loch says:
 ''All that Is necessary Is to compare my specific charges with his general denial"
 He then reaffirms that his representa- tions remain in all essential particulars true and not disproyed, and closes with a denial that there is any office within the gift of the postofflce department that he would accept. or that he ever author ized his friends to seek his reinstatement
 
 To Cross the Ocean in Dory.
 Gloucester, Mass, June 7.-Howard Rlaclrhurn uho has already made two