Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-24

gathered in his Office, as has been the
custom for several weeks in search OF the
latest developments in the investigation of
the alleged scandals in the department In
a voice that trembled with emotion the
Postmaster General said he regretted to
have to say that he had found 1t necessary
to remove Mr.. Tyner from office, and, after
speaking in a general way about the facts
that had developed, said the story was
best told in a correspondence, which he
then read in most feeling tone.
Mr.. Payne announced that he could say
nothing further on the subject. and that
he preferred not to be asked any questions.
He was asked If any arrests would be
made as the result of the abstraction and
He said that these were matters which he
could not discuss; that 1t rested with the
Attorney General. to whom the papers
would go as soon as the record of the case
could be copied and submitted.
The case, however. he added, would be
in the hands Of the Department of Justice
today, and what further steps were to be
taken would be decided by tho Attorney
General. He did not care to venture any
prediction as to the outcome.
Postmaster General Payne's Letter.
The facts are told tersely and to the point
in the letter of dismissal. signed by Post
master General Payne late Wednesday
ter is as follows:
April %. 1908.
Hon. James N. Tyner, assistant attorney
general for the Post Office Department.
"Sir: You are hereby removed from the
Office of assistant attorney general for the
Post Office Department.
Il deem it proper to give you the reasons
for this summary action on the part Of the
department. Early in the month Of March
communicated to you, through mutual
friend, a request for your resignation.
after painful interview with you, and
more painful one with Mrs. Tyner. con-
sented to modify the demand for your res
ignation, SO that 1t might take effect on
May /, 1903; with the proviso however, that
you were given leave of absence from the
time of the acceptance of the resignation to
the date of its taking effect, with the un-
Outstanding that you were not in any way
to undertake to discharge the duties of the
Office
Late yesterday afternoon Mrs. Tyner
general for the Post Office Department en-
tering in the regular way. and went
through the main Office to the private Of
flee, closing the door behind her.
'She then unlocked the door entering
from the public hall into the private room
and admitted her sister, Mrs. Barrett,
whose son was formerly an assistant in
your Office, and whose conduct is now I'M
der investigation by the department. She
also admitted in the same manner Mr.. q.
g. Hammer, an expert in the employ Of the
Mosler Safe Company, with whom she had
made arrangement to meet her at the de-
partment.
eat her direction Mr. Hammer opened the
safe in the room and she took therefrom all
papers, records and articles of every kind,
andesarried them away with her.
Immediately upon learning what had
been done, I directed the fourth assistant
postmaster general to send two inspectors
to your house to demand, in the name OF
the Postmaster General, the delivery to
them Of any papers, documents or other
materials which had been distracted from
the safe.
This demand was refused by Mrs. Tyner.
and she likewise refused to permit the In
spectors to see you. or to see and examine
the papers in her presence. Mrs. Tyner
further stated to the post Office inspectors
that she committed this act with your
knowledge and by your direction. Further
comment on this transaction, on my part,
is not necessary.
1.-THE facts in the case will be submitted
States for such action in the premises as he
may deem proper. Very respectfully.
H. c. PAYNE.
POSTMASTER General"
What Mrs. Tyner Did.
Mrs Tyner went to the Office Of the as
sistant attorney general, on the fifth floor
of the post Office building at S:45 o'clock
Tuesday afternoon and remained there ex-
ectly an hour. When she arrived Acting
Assistant Attorney General Christiancy.
past in the absence Of Gen. Tyner, who
has been in poor health for long period.
was in the office.
The clerks were at their desks Mrs.
Tyner passed from the public room into the
private Office and closed the door behind
her. Being then alone in the office she
stepped to the door opening into the public
corridor and, by previous arrangement. ad-
mitted Mrs. Barrett, mother Of Harrison
]. Barrett, the former law clerk of the
Post Office Department. and g. G. Hammer,
safe expert > rs a
Mr.. Christiancy reported the presence IN
the Office of Mrs Tyner to Two inspectors
who were investigating affairs connected
with the office and also personally COM
municated the fact of Mrs Tyners appear.
ance In the Office to Postmaster General
Payne. The inspectors reported the mat
ter to their superior officer, Fourth Assist
ant Postmaster General Bristow.
Mr.. Bristow asked authority to have Mrs.
Tyner elected from the office. The author
ity came too late.
When the Inspector returned Mrs. Tyner
and her party had left The safe on being
examined was found y he empty Thd