The San Francisco call., 1903-09-12
News of Erwin's Trouble
Discredited Until
Confirmed.
Indicted Inspector Has
Splendid Record in
the Past.
the higher officials of the local
nosfOf3ce dena rtpaent +l,a ,,au,S of

postoftice department the news of
/ the indictment of James w Err
win, Superintendent of the San Francisco
special delivery system, was apparently
as much a surprise as it was to the gen
eral public. When it was first announced
at the postoffice the heads of departments
refused to credit it, and it was not until
it was fully confirmed that they accepted
II as a fact.
Erwin was one Of the last men in the
service who was supposed to be impli-
Gated in anything even savoring of dis
honesty official indiscretiou. He has
been postoffice inspector since 1887, hav-
ing been appointed from Atlanta, Ga, un-
der the first Cleveland administration,
and assigned to the New England di-
vision, with headquarters in Boston. Pre-
vious to that he had been a newspaper
man. A few years later he was trans
fered to to the Pacific division, and, with
the exception of brief absences, has re-
mained here in various capacities ever
since.
On July 1, 1900, he was appointed su-
perintendent of the free rural delivery
system Of the Pacific Coast, and retained
that position until relieved July l of this
year, when the department was turned
over to r. r. Munro, inspector in charge
for the Pacific division.
During the scandals in the postoffice
affairs Of Cuba following the Spanish war
Erwin was selected by Fourth Assistant
Postmaster Barlow, who is prosecuting
the present inquiry, to assist in unearth-
ing the frauds, and his work at that time
was highly commended. Later he was
sent to Manila to institute delivery sys-
tenn, and accomplished this to the entire
satisfaction of his superior officers.
MUNRO LACKS INFORMATION.
r. R. Munro, inspector in charge, under
whose supervision Erwin has been since
July l, speaking of the indictment of his
subordinate, said yesterday:
have heard nothing from Washington relat-
ing to the charges against Erwin and do not
expect 10 for some days. whatever instruc-
tons are forwarded will be sent by mail.
am not in possession Of sufficient informa-
ton TO warrant discussion of the grounds
upon which the indictment was returned.
took part in the investigation that resulted
in the Indictment. Inspectors were sent a.
rectly from Washington to conduct the Inquiry
and merely submitted their credentials to me.
! gave them every assistance in my power but
was not priyy to the result Of their labors
They had instructions 10 report directly TO the
Washington authorities and did so.
The news Of Erwin's Indictment an en-
tire surprise TO me. He has always borne
excellent reputation and has been singled out
pronounced ability and integrity know moth
ing Of his connection with the Postal Develop
ment ana Improvement Company. except that
he was stoclShC der in the concern.
WoODWoRTH is WAITING.
United States District Attorney Wood
worth knows nothing officially Of the in
dictment and he does not expect to until
it shall reach him from Washington
through the mails Speaking of the mat
ter yesterday he said:
Beyond what I have heard around the build
ing l know nothing Of an indictment having
eoubtedly I shall be notified by mail, and as
soon as i am shall take the proper steps to
insure his attendance at Washington, where L
presume the trial viii be held.
As I understand H. the indictment charges
fraudulent conspiracy. and in that case the
Grand Jury OF the place where the minds of
the alleged conspirators met would have juris-
diction The contention 1 presume will be
that this understanding was reached at Wash
ington and consequently the Washington Grand
Jury would have the right to return an in
dictment.
Efforts have been made to connect ex-
Congressman Eugene +. Loud with the
sale to the Government by the local Off
Gals of the device for recording on mail
boxes the time Of the next collection Of
letters. An afternoon paper printed a
purported dispatch from Washington
stating that dishonest practices were cur
rent IL the local postoffice; that certain
employees were rated at higher positions
than they were getting salary for, and
that the difference between what they re-
ceived and what the Government allowed
them was divided between a clique of men
at the head Of which was zone certain
political influence" When seen last night
Loud said:
Undoubtedly the lone certain political
influence referred to. I presume the reason
I was not mentioned bN name was because
the publisher held in mind the provisions
against criminal libel. AS far as the charges
OF misconduct in the workings of the local
1nd NhGra &c abs Tfa11
foundation for them. There could be no manip-
ulation Of salaries without the knowledge Of
postmaster Montague. and anybody who knows
him will stake his life on his honesty Neither
IS he a catspaw for ring OF other employees
The workings Of the postof1ce system abso-
lutely preclude the possibility Of such method
Of extortion being practiced
ARE MADE IN REVENGE.
Thea