Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-11
FIGHT FOR An OFFICE
Lively Contest On For the Sioux
City Postoffice--several
Candidates.
Congressman Thomas Said to
Have Decided to Recom-
mend j. E. Ayers.
Speaker Henderson Looks Over
the Postoffice Situation
at Waterloo.

Sioux City, Nov. 11-For several days
it has been gossiped in local political
circles that Congressman Lot Thomas
had decided to recommend for the APP
pointment to the Sioux City postofiice
James E. Ayres, a merchandise broker,
who has an office in the union passen-
ger station. but not until yesterday,
when it was said that William Milchrist
was standing back of the appointment
of Mr.. Ayres. were the reports looked
upon as coming from an authoritative
source. The connecting of the name of
Mr.. Milchrist, the personal friend and
Sioux City lieutenant Of Congressman
Thomas, with the rumor gave it the col
or of authenticity. Those persons who
understood the relationship between
Congressman Thomas and Mr.. Milchrist
Immediately said that if Mr.. Milchrist
had indorsed the candidacy of Mr..
Ayres the recommendation by Mr..
Thomas to his appointment would be
certain.
Mr.. Milchrist, when asked last eve
ming as to the truth of the reports that
he had been giving some attention to
the postoffice appointment, said:
II have paid attention to this matter
only in general way. l have done no
plugging for any one. l do not know
who will be our next postmaster. have
done no drumming. However, l am fav-
orabe to the appointment of Ayres."
started petition for his appointment
and secured the signature of some of
the most influential republicans of the
city. said last night that the report that
Mr.. Ayres had been chosen by Mr..
Thomas to be the next postmaster was
not true. He added:
II am satisfied that Mr.. Thomas has
respect enough for the wishes of the
party here to come and look the matter
over carefully before he decides"
Postmaster L. P. Heller, when seen
by reporter at his home last night,
said he had no information whatever on
the subject matter of the rumor that
Congressman Thomas had selected a
postmaster for the next term.
II told reporter" Mr.. Heller said.
last July, when this thing was being
agitated here. that l expected to be a
candidate. but that thought it was too
early by four or five months to bother
people about it. 1 had the notion that
Judge Thomas would not want to take
up the subject before January, and for
his comfort, no less than that of our
people, l thought the period of impor-
tunity should be made just as short as
possible.
Accordingly I have up to this mo-
ment approached no man, directly or
Indirectly, to ask his support, nor to in
fluence or to commit him in any way.
Many have been kind enough to speak
to me, offering support. but have told
al, such that thought 1t was yet too
early to precipitate a contest. / know
perfectly we'll that the great mass OF
the people are not interested in the
question whether Tom, Dick or Harry
is postmaster, and are only interested
in efficient postal service; and the party
is Interested in avoiding anything like
scramble
CAS- to the rumors that have been cur
rent the past day or two, it is my guess
that they have little foundation, and
that Judge Thomas has not taken up
the subject. and that he will not take it
up, In any final way at least, for one
or two months yet, and. in short, that
there is neither any hurry about 1t nor
and occasion for anybody to get excited
over III I"