Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-01
INQUIRY TO Be MADE
Allegations Against a Post
Office Department Official.
AN ALLEGED RIM G
FIREMEN's CHARGES AGAINST
THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
Statement of Those in Authority-The
Parkhurst Case-The League
Of Educators.
AN ALLEGED RIM G

An era Of investigation seems to have
struck the Post Office Department. and
If the indications hold true all sorts and
conditions of inquiries will be on foot.
The latest phase of the inquest was
brought about this morning when James
Dover a fireman employed in the engine
room of the office, made charges of favor
itism against James O'Donnell chief en-
gineer, and incidentally against the chief
clerk, Mr.. Blaine Taylor, and the dis
bursting officer, Mr.. Merchant. The charges
were in writing, and afterward state
ment was made to Mr.. John ]. Howley,
acting first assistant postmaster general
Mr.. Robert ]. Wynne, the acting post
master general, has ordered searching
investigation into the fireman's charges.
These allegations cover over twenty
pages Of foolscap and are OF the most
startling character. He asserts that a
ring exists among the engineers, assistant
engineers and working force of the engine
room, and that unless a man curries favor
with the ring, the head Of which Is the
chief engineer, he will get no promotion
The chief engineer has charge of the en-
ployes of the engine room. the elevator
conductors, the chief electrician, the dyna-
mo tenders, etc. This constitutes quite
a large force. and has the same rating
at the Post Office Department as divi-
head of this division the chief engineer
has the power to recommend appointments,
promotions and transfers, and 1t Is charg-
ed that he uses this power to promote the
interests Of his friends to the detrtment
of deserving men, who do not happen to
be fortunate enough to be numbered
among the favored few. Charges to this
effect are made in plain language by
Dover, who further asserts that in the
matter of promotions the greatest injustice
is done.
The Fireman's Complaint. -
The complaining fireman asserts that he
has been employed in the engine room of
the department for six years, and that he
holds a certificate as an engineer. but that
the chief refuses steadily to promote him.
He further charges that, although entitled
to leave of absence, etc, annually, the
chief has allowed him only one day in four
years. To show the alleged Injustice of
this treatment Dover claims that the chief
has permitted employees of the engine
rooms who are his favorites to leave the
office, attend the races, get intoxicated,
lose time to which they are not entitled
and yet draw pay for the time used
Dover also charges that the chief has
purchased defective materials for use in
the engine room and has permitted work
to be done by contract which was not
worth the paper the contract was written
on. The fireman calims that the chief
clerk Of the department and the disbursing
officer allow the chief engineer to spend
public money for these things without ap-
parent effort to control him or take any
account Of his expenditures.
Statement of officials.
The officials of the department are not
disposed to pay much attention to the COM
plants, and state that the answer Of the
chief engineer to the charges will show
that he has acted only within his author
fly, and that the money he has expended
under contract was properly disbursed and
the materials purchased by him all that
could be desired 1t would not be proper
for the chief to make q statement in refu-
tation of the charges. 1t is said until he
has filed his answer. In the meantime
post office inspector will make an investi-
cation to ascertain the truth of the charges
and will report to the acting postmaster
general or to. Postmaster General Payne if
he returns before the investigation is con-
cluded.
The Parkhurst Case.
The other Investigations that are under
way at the Post Office Department are
progressing satisfactorily. 1t is denied
that the contemplated removal Of Benjamin
Parkhurst. the superintendent Of station
Of the local post Office has any connection
with the Investigations in progress as has
been suggested. Parkhurst was an intimate
friend Of Mr.. George w. Beavers, the re-
firing general superintendent of the divis-
ion of salary and allowances and 1t is adj
mitted that 1t was through the solicitation
of Mr.. Beavers that Parkhurst was retained
on the rolls Of the city post office after
charges had been filed against him. Fresh
charges have been brought against him,
however. which have no connection with
former charges, and which, in themselves,
would make, If true, improper his further
retention in the local postal service. The
postmaster has not yet signified what his
course Of action will be regarding the Park
hurst matter, but. stated yesterday, the
indications are that the resignation submit
ted by Parkhurst Saturday evening" will be
rejected and that he will be dismissed from
the service.
League Of Educators.
The office of the assistant attorney gen.
eral for the department is not the least bit
disturbed by the allegations contained in
dispatch from South Bend, Ind, in which
1t is alleged that the Disclosures regard
ing the business methods of the office were
made through the filing of an injunction
s,1it at Chicago by Henry WurZer to compel