Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-19

which you have always shown me. Were
it not for my desire to retire to my home
and family. after almost lifetime spent
in the service of my country. l would be
very reluctant to take this STEP
Hoping my action will meet with your
approval. l have the honor to be. very
sincerely yours. ERNST G. THINE"
To which the President replied De-
cember >:
MY Dear Mr. Timme: In accepting
your resignation as auditor for the Post
Office Department to take effect upon the
qualification of your successor, permit me
to say how sorry l am to have you leave
the federal service. You are the type of
public man who has served his country
well both In war and in peace. am
glad that you should nave been con-
nected with my administration, and re-
greet that this connection should now
cease. With all good wishes, believe me-
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
His decision to sever his pleasant Off
cial relations has brought forth sincere
expressions Of regret from the officers of
the Treasury and Post Office departments
Secretary Cortelyou addressed him as
follows. under date of November 30:
MY Dear Mr.. Tfmme: It was with
much regret that L learned of your de-
termination to sever your connection with
this department. in the fulfillment of your
desire to retire to private life. Your long
HOHoTdDIe career IN the service, not
only of the government. but of your state
as we'll, certainly entities you to consult
your own wishes in such a matter, even
though the public service suffers. as it
does. distinct loss in your retirement.
Il congratulate you upon your splendid
record as government officer and ex-
tend best wishes to you wherever the flu
ture may call you. Very sincerely yours
GEO. B. CORTELYOU."
Auditor Timme's Record.
Col. Timmes administration has been
marked by the number of improvements
in methods introduced. Every one of the
eight divisions of the Office has been in
vestigated: card systems have been sub
stituted for voluminous records; new
ledgers and registers have been devised:
improved blanks have been introduced
and old blank forms changed to meet ex-
listing conditions; the audit of postal and
money order accounts is subject to addi-
tiOnal reviews and checks and codes of
instruction have been prepared.
In the mOney-Order branch special at
tenton has been given to the manner in
which business is dispatched. Duplica-
ton of work has been avoided. additional
adding machines procured and additional
means of detecting double payments Of
orders employed.
At the outbreak of the civil war Mr.
Timne enlisted in the LIST Wisconsin In
fantry and participated in several noted
engagements. At the battle of Chicka-
manga he lost his left arm, which neces-
STATED his retirement from active mill
tary duty. The citizens of his town in
Kenosha county elected him town clerk.
and later he was advanced to and held for
sixteen years the position of county clerk
Later he was called upon to serve the
state of Wisconsin as secretary of state
for nine years and as state senator for
four years President Harrison in the
last year of his administration rendered
to him and he accepted the Office of fifth
auditor Of the Treasury. In April, 1891
President Mckinley required his services
as auditor for the State and other de-
partments which position he held until
May 1. 1906, when he was transferred to
the position of auditor for the Post Office
Department. He has succeeded in plac-
ing the bureau. the largest accounting es-
Establishment in the world. on a business
basis.