New-York tribune., 1903-07-10
PAYNE RETURNS TO WORK
PUSHING THE INQUIRY
Further Startling Regulations OF
Fraud Expected Soon.
rrno,1 rHu rRrnuNr BuREAU. ]

Washington. July 9-what has been accom-
piished in the postofflce investigation IN the
weeks absence OF Postmaster General Payne III
the Catskills was told to that official to-day oy
Mr.. Bristow and Assistant Attorney GeheldI
Robb. Mr.. Payne said after the conference
that there nothing in the way OF news TO
be made public In Mr.. Payne's absence no
news Of the investigation has been given out at
the department, and the statement Of the Post
master General to-day IN declining to discuss
the situation emphasizes the new policy OF say
ing nothing until actual developments occur
The work Of the investigation is not tagging.
This much NJ; Bristow announces without nesl-
te ion. He also says that the progress when Is
being made may be called rapid and salts
factory How far the end IF the investigation
is away he refuses to predict, however. But
from what Is known OF the undertakings on mana
and the intricate character Of the records to be
,stigated re--di--g some officials who have
full swing in their departments It is certain that
when the next announcements Of Importance
are made the end will practically have been
reached.
1t may also be predicted that the investigation
will close with as startling definite revelations
of fraud on the part of certain officials VINO
have not as yet been indicted as marked the
first announcements.
Mr.. Payne saw the newspaper men to-day at
hour
matters Of routine business and consulting with
First Assistant Postmaster General Wyune. who
has been acting in his place in his absence. and
learning the progress Of the investigation from
Messrs Bristow and Robb, he left the depart
uent at the luncheon hour with the announce
rnent that he would not return to-day. AT MS
hotel Mr.. Payne sent out word that ne preferred
not to be disturbed. He looks bronzed by MS
stay in the Catsklls, and was enthusiastic In
commenting on the cool place New-York had
within so short a distance from the city These
remarks Mr.. Payne laid great stress on as he
arrived in Washington at the height OF the hot
test spell Of the season.
The determination OF the Postmaster General
to ston supplvins q daily STORY to the news
papers of the country is known to have been
urged on him in the nunJerous councils ne has
generally who have pointed out that II this
policy had been pursued from the beginning the
public mind would have had a much more cor
rect impression Of the true situation IN the post
al service.
Postmaster General Payne, it was announced
tonight, will take ocean trip OF ten days pc
ginning some time next week Although noth-
ing has been made known regarding TINS project
until tonight. 1t is now said that the Journey
was planned before the visit to the Catskllls
from which the Postmaster General has just
returned. The contemplated journey is from
Washington to Boston. and return by boat II
Is believed by those who have observed the eI-
feet of the hot weather on Mr.. Payne that he
will arrange to stay away from the department
as much as possible in the heated period.
Further light has been thrown the purchase
of manifold books through checking up the ac-
count of supplies in that line a process i, Wnicn
has Just been completed The result OF this
checking up has been to show that last year
fourteen thousand more manifold DOCKS We're
bought than were needed. While this Will not
entail any ultimate loss TO the department. 1t
has incidentally worked hardship IN making II
necessary to cut down the clerical force IN the
office in order to avoid a deficiency IN the ap-
nrorrfatior