The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-09
RAND NOW COMING
INTO THE LIGHT
Investigation Turns ON Mr..
Payne's Confidential Man.
MAcHEN'S "NEWS PIPE LINE"
Gave the Late Chief Tips ON What Was
Going On in Postmaster Gen.
erals Office.
MAcHEN'S "NEWS PIPE LINE"

indications day by day point more and
more strongly toward an investigation OF
h H Rand, of Wisconsin, who occu-
pies the anomalous position Of confiden-
tial secretary to Postmaster General
Payne. but whose official duties seem to
be those of chairman of the purchasing
committee of the Postofice Department.
Rand is known to have been a close
personal and business associate OF
Machen- During the period that the lat
ter's division was under investigation.
Rand IS known TO have conferred fire.
quently with Machen- The inspectors
became irritated over the knowledge that
Machen seemed TO be fully advised con-
corning their work. 1t was then, after
the division had been under Investigation
six weeks. that Fourth Assistant Bris-
tow made a formal and successful re-
quest for Maehen's removal.
Gave Machen the Tip.
1t has been charged that Rand was
the news pipe line from the Postmas-
ter Generals room to the free delivery
division, and it is said he notified Ma
chen of Bristow's request, even before
General
Rand's name has been so prominently
connected with the Machen end OF the
Postofiice scandal that Postmaster Cen
eral Payne has taken cognizance of the
gossip and has informed Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General Bristow to
show no favoritism in the inquiry.
MIR. Payne warmly defends Rand He
says he, has known him over thirty
years: that he has found him an up
right and honest man. and that he be-
| lieves Rand's business connections with
Mechen have been entirely proper. He
admits that his confidential secretary
has been harshiy criticised
Awaiting Presidents Orders.
| Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
J.ristow has thus far declined 10 take
Up any investigation of Rand preferring
directions from the President before en-
tering upon an inquiry that would lead
| him inside OF the door of his superior.
| Rand came here with the Postmaster
! General as his confidential clerk The
Auditor held up his first months pay On
the ground that nc such position exist
|
Rand being placed in charge of the pur-.
chase OF the supplies It was in that
capacity he became acquainted with
Machen, and it is said from this a warm
| friendship resulted. leading to business
connections IN mining and other ven-
| lures.
| Penrose Sees Bristow.
| Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania was
at the Postoffice Department this morn
ing. conferring with J. L. Bristow.
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General,
rose is scheduled 10 be chairman of the
Senate Committee on Postofices and
Postroads, and will have much TO say
in the part the Postotfiee scandals will
play in the deliberations of Congress.
| He refused to discuss the scandals.
and said his object in seeing Mr.. Bris-
tew was to procure the appointment OF
a man named Zerbe. as postmaster at
Shomokin.
Senator Penrose was asked about the
report that he and r. ]. Wynne had
stirred up all the present trouble in
the department. The Senator said there
was nothing in the report. and he had
not spoken ten words to Mr.. Wynne
since he was elected.
Other Callers
Representative Livingston OF Georgia
| was another caller on Mr.. Bristow. The
Southern Congressman expressed the
opinion that il was time something
definite was done in the matter Of the
scandals
The service is going TO pieces" said
Mr. Livingston People do not know
| what is going TO happen They are afraid
| that the rural free delivery service is
going 20 be abolished and there is a
| general state of dsmoIaiization.''
Commissioner Proctor saw Mr.. Bris-
tow for a few minutes. She Civil Ser
vice report on the Washington postoffice
| Is still in the hands Of the commission.
and has not been sent 10 Postmaster
General Payne, Mr Proctor said he
had not yet read the full report. which
is very bulky.
i Enanue. Speich, bookkeeper in the
rural free delivery division, is under in
vestigation. He is the 81. 600 clerk who
went on A W. Machen's bond of $50. .0oo.
He is also said to be the man who pre-
pared the report which estimated the
free delivery deficit at $4,000. when 1t