Evening star., 1938-04-02
CARTER B. KEENE
DIES IN HOSPITAL
Ex-Chief Postal Inspector
Handled Many important
Investigations.

Carter B. Keene. SO, well-knoWn at
torney and Government official, for
merly chief post Office inspector, died
this morning at Homeopathic Hos
pital after an illness of about month
Mr.. Keene. who resided at the Co.
lumbia Country Club. had been seri-
ously i'll for about 10 days. and his
death was said to have resulted from
blood clot.
Although a native of Maine. Mi
Keene had been prominent in the Ma
tional Capital for many years He was
prominent Mason. His last public
post was as receiver of the United
States Savings Bank, from which he
retired December 81. 1895.
Funeral services probably will be
held at All Souls Church at Sixteenth
and Harvard streets NV, Monday
afternoon.
Conspicuous Postal Career.
Mr.. Keene was born at Freedom.
Me, son Of Orris H. Keene. a WE'LL
known lawyer of the Waldo County
bar
He came to Washington in 1893 to
enter Government service and had
lived here continuously since that time,
takin ga prominent part in civic and
social affairs
Mr.. keene had conspicuous career
in the postal service. receiving in 1901
an appointment as post Office inspec-
tor He rose rapidly from the lowest
grade to chief post Office inspector in
1910. He was actively identified with
most of the important investigations
carried on by the Post Office Depart
ment and was recognized as an expert
in running down fraudulent uses of
the mails.
One of Mr.. Keenes conspicuous in
veStigationS was that of the United
Wireless Telegraph Co. This investi-
alton alone lasted more than a year,
and resulted in the conviction of six
officials who had mulcted the public of
millions of dollars
Mr.. Keene resigned as chief in
spector in July. 1913. to become di-
rector of the Postal Savings System.
He was largely responsible for the de-
velopment of that postal service during
its pioneering period. and the extern
sion Of postal service to broader fields
Of usefulness.
A compelling speaker himself. Mr..
keene had charge of all speakers in
the five States of the Fifth Federal Re-
serve District. during the third and
fourth liberty loan drives. In April,
1920. he resigned as director of postal
savings to enter private practice of law
in Washington. He continued his law
practice until February, 1884. when he
was appointed receiver of the United
States Savings Bank.
Mr. Keene resigned from this posi-
ton December 81. 1886, having re-
turned to depositors during his term
OF service 80 per cent of their accounts.
He returned to active law practice.
Prominent in Masonry.
Mr.. Keene received his early educa-
tion at Freedom Academy. in his ma
tive town, later graduating from Maine
Wesleyan Seminary, at Kent Hill, Me.
At the latter institution he had long
been and was at the time of his death
trustee He studied law in Washing
ton and obtained his L. B and IL. M.
from Columbia College, now George
Washington University. in 1894 and
1895.
He was member of the following
clubs and societies: Columbia Coun-
try Club, Society OF Mayflower De-
scendants. Society of Colonial Wars,
Thirty-third degree Mason. Scottish
Rite bodies. Almas Temple Shrine of
which he was past potentate, and
Temple Noyes Lodge, No. 80, of Ma
sons. of which he was past master.