The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-18
Charged With IndIscretIOn in Awarding Printing
 Contracts
SUMMAR|LY DISMISSED
 BY POSTMASTER GENERAL
Was for Many Years Superintendent of Money Order System of the Post office Department-conduct Ia
 Not AmenabIe to the Law.

Washington, June 17-As a result of al- legged indiscretion In matters pertaining to the award of contracts for printing the money order forms of the government, James T. Metcalf. for many years super intendent of the money order system or the postofice department, today was re- moved from office by the postmaster gen. eral A full investigation of the case will be made later. The dismissal is the result of acts of MT. Metcalf in opposi- tlon to the bid of Paul Herman of Ruth erford, N. J.. the lowest bidder by $45,0oo. and in favor of the next highest bidder, the wynkoop Hallenbeck, Crawford company of New York, of which MT. Met calf's son is an employe. The story Is briefly told In the following letter of dis amissal, signed by Postmaster General Payne at o'clock this afternoon:
 The Letter.
 "washington. June 1T. 1sOS ''Mr. James T. Metcalf, Superintendent of Money Order System. Postoffice Depart ment:
 sir: You are hereby removed from the position of superintendent of the money order system. The charges upon which your removal is based relate to your ac- tions in the matter of the letting of the contract for money order forms. These charges were made known to you this morning by Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow and Assistant Attorney General Robb of the postoffice department and a transcript of your answer thereto Is enclosed herewith.
 It appears from your answer that when the proposals of the different competitors for the contract of supplying money order forms were opened. Paul Herman of Rutherford, N. J.. Cformerly employed as foreman by the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Crawford company of New York, by which company it seems your son is also employed, was found to be the lowest bidder. his proposal being $45,OOO below that of the next higher bidder, namely, kthe Wynkoop Hallenbeck, Crawford vcompany; that the bid of Herman as sub ed was regular in form and that he had deposited a certified check for 5000 a forfiet. u further appears that within a day or two the Wynkoop, Hal lenbeck, Crawford company filed a pro- test against awarding the contract to Herman, alleging that he was not finan- cially responsible; that short time thereafter Mir. Herman called at your of flee and you advised him to withdraw his bid and re-enter the employment of the Wynkoop. Hallenbeck. Crawford com pany understanding at the time that such withdrawal would result in the contracts 5Deing awarded to said company and con Bsequently in loss to the government; that you offered to write and did write letter to said company, apprising 1t of your interview with Herman and using your good offices in his behalf; that you advised Herman that his $5,000 deposit would probably be returned to him if he adopted your suggestion. It further ap- pears that you regarded Mir. Herman as possessing the mechanical qualifications requisite to the performance of the con- tract and that 1t was not any part of your duty to pas on the question of his re- sponsibility, financial or otherwise. It al- so appears that you did not acquaint your superior First Assistant Postmaster Wynne, with the fact that you had en- deavored to have MT. Herman withdraw his bid It further appears that hear ing has been had before MT. Wynne on the question of the financial responsi- bity of MT. Herman. although 1t has de- veloped since the submission of your an- swer this morning, that you discouraged the granting of such a hearing, and mani fested desire that the contract be awarded to the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Crawford company.
 avery respectfully,
 "H. c. PAYNE,
 "Postmaster General" Has Done Nothing Amenable to Law. Postmaster General Payne. in announce Ing his action. said that there was no Rnarge that Mir Metcalf had done any thing that was amenable to the law, but said that his conduct was serious indes- cretion that could not now be overlooked. MT. MetcAif, he said, always had been considered faithful. efficient painstak- ing and honest employe.
 The postmaster general, on his arrival at the department today, sent for Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow and Assistant Attorney General Robb and instructed them to send for Mir. Met calf and immediately to investigate the case MT. Bristow and Mir. Robb. with In-