Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 109, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1910 — FRANK B. MEYER RESIGNS ASSISTANT POSTMASTERSHIP. [ARTICLE]

FRANK B. MEYER RESIGNS ASSISTANT POSTMASTERSHIP.

Former Rensselaer Postmaster, Now Assistant at Gary, Will Engage In The Drug Business Again. i It is announced in the Hammond Times that Frank B. Meyer, former postmaster at Rensselaer, and for some time the assistant postmaster at Gary, has tendered his resignation, and will engage in the drug business in that city. Mr. Meyer was a druggist for many years before being made the postmaster of Rensselaer, The Times indicated that some pressure haa been brought to* bear, probably a feature of the factional political life of Gary, to secure the removal of Mr. Meyer. The Times prints the following: Mr. Meyers was one of the most popular men ever connected with the Gary postoffice and it is probable some interesting developments will be divulged soon. When Mr. Meyers came to this city from his home in Rensselaer he only expected to help Postmaster Knotts for a period of two lor three weeks, but he 'was induced to stay for some time longer and finally accepted a permanent position as assistant postmaster. He then followed the office to the Knotts’ building and from there to the Gary building, where it is now located. Mr. Meyers plans to enter the drug business in this city, thereby going back to his old trade in which he was engaged for thirty years before he started in the employment of the government He has several things in view in that line in this city, but has not yet determined just what he will do as yet. His hard work and courtesy while employed in the postoffice has been generally appreciated by the public. - -

The Gary Evening Post has the following additional account of the removal of Mr. Meyer from office. Frank B. Meyer was today relieved of his position of assistant postmaster in' the Gary postoffice by W. F. Kidwoll, of Elwood, Indiana, who has been appointed to the position filled by Mr Meyer under the administration of Postmaster John W. Call. The substitution of an outside man for a citizen of Gary as assistant postmaster created a good deal of comment, today among the citizens to the effect that Congressman Crumpacker must have a poor opinion of the ability of Lake county citizens, when he goes outside of the county to make a postoffice appointment. N Mr. Kidwell has been connected with the postoffice at Elwood for many years and is said to be, excellently well qualified for the position to which ite has been assigned. It is reported that he will bring with him to Gary two or three trained clerks who will be given places in the local office. Some weeks ago the postoffice authorities at Washington sent two inspectors to Gary who made a thorough investigation of the workings of the local office. It is reported upon good authority that their report recommended the dismissal of four persons connected with the office—Postmaster Call, Assistant Postmaster Meyer and two, clerks in the office whose work has not been found satisfactory. * * * * There is a general feeling that Meyer is being made 4 scapegoat in the Gary postoffice matter. At any rate, Postmaster Call will be retained, despite the recommendation for a sweeping change In the official staff following complaints of Gary citizens for several months, and which resulted in a rigid government investigation last January. - About two weeks ago Postmaster John W. Call, accompanied by his son, Harry V. Call, went to Washjngton, carrying with them the books of the Gary postoffice. It was current at that time that the government investigation had Yevealed a shortage in the office accounts aggregating several hundred dollers, but it is presumed that the postmaster made a satisfactory explanation of the seeming discrepancies, which are alleged to have been the result of Incompetent book--keeping on the part of certain subordinates. Postmaster Call to well along in years and it is alleged he is physically unable to give that attention to office

details which the growing magnitude of the Gary office warrants. During the last year many complaints have been registered at Washington by citizens of Gary, alleging carelessness and inefficiency in handling the mails at this place and four different investigations have been made, it is said, each resulting in a recommendation for a change in the official staff of the local office. | ,s» Assistant Postmaster Kidwell took charge of the postoffice this morning and contemplates making many radical, changes and improvements in the method of handling mail at this place.