Evening star., 1901-05-13
Charges Made Against Postmaster
Hicks Of Philadelphia.
REPORTOF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
Alleged Violation of the Civil Serv-
ice Law.
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

A report has been submitted to the Ma
tional Civil Service Reform League by the
Investigating committee of the league with
reference to alleged violation of the civil
servicelaw in connection with the admin
istration of the Philadelphia post office.
The report embodies a letter to the Presi-
dent of the United States, asking for the
removal of Thomas L. Hicks, postmaster
at Philadelphia.
This letter In it's preamble refers to the
suggestion recently made by the President
to the investigating committee of the
league. with reference to general viola
tons of the law, that the committee should
lay before him the facts in particular cases,
in order that he may determine whether
the provision of the civil service rules to
the effect that any officers in. the executive
service who violate their provisions shall
be dismissed, shall be applied.
Congregational investigation Denied.
The report rectes that:
"At the beginning of the year ISIS. in
formation was received of certain frregu-
larities in this office, and on the 22d of
January of that year a committee of the
league took testimony and made inquiries
of the postmaster. the results of which
were communicated to the President III a
report made by that committee. showing
a number of violations of the law. That
report not published, and no further
action seems to have been taken in regard
to it. Near the close of last year. other
Violate of the law came to our knoWl-
edge. and in February last petition was
presented to the Senate in behalf of the
league asking that the Senate committee
on post offices be empowered to investigate
the subject, and to send for persons and
papers. This petition was referred to that
committee. which unanimously reported
resolution authorizing such investigation,
but the committee on contingent expenses,
to which the resolution was afterward re-
ferred refused to allow any appropriation
therefor, SO no investigation was ordered.
Complained to the President.
On April II the chairman of the investi-
eating committee addressed to the Presi-
dent long letter alleging certain rresu-
larties on the part of Postmaster Hicks.
1t follows in part:
Rule -, civil service rule. adopted May
%. 1899. provides that no person appointed
as laborer without examination under the
civil service rules shall be assigned to work
of the same grade as that performed by
classified employees. Upon inVeStf-
cation by the civil service commission a
considerable number of laborers We're found
to be running canceling machines. which
is part of the duties of classified clerks.
This was brought to the attention of the
Postmaster General by the commission on
December i, 1899, but action seems to
have been taken in regard to it.
Our committee is informed Of u number of
instances in which such laborers perform
ed classified work; that Miss Alice Cruthers
was appointed window cleaner at 500 a
year and afterward had charge of set
Of books; that Anna Stratton, Mary f
Mercer Effie Miller and others were en-
ployed as laborers and for some time after
ward did the work of classified clerks. 1t
is evident that the violation of this rule
permits persons to be admitted the
classified service without examination and
seriously impairs the efficiency of the
merit system. BY means of such appoint
ments Mr. Hicks is enabled to fill the Of
flee largely with persons of his own selec-
tion In defiance of the rules.
Alleged Offensive Partisanship.
"Section 435 of the Postal Laws and
Regulations. edition Of 1893. provides that
office holders should not offend by obtru-
sive partisanship nor assume the active
conduct of political campaigns yet some
years ago Mr.. Hicks was notoriously known
as the leader of the republican faction
known as the anti-combine, engaged in
promoting the nomination Of Mr.. hewitt
candidate for receiver of taxes. In an
interview with Mr.. Hicks on behalf of
committee Of the National Civil Service
Reform League, on January -. at which l
was present, he stated to the committee
that he was a strong partisan and always
took an active part In politics and.
other things being equal, he preferred to
appoint those nearest to him politically
and otherwise. Near the close of the year
1897 he called and addressed a republican
meeting in the thirty-fourth ward of Phil
adelphia, sending out the circulars in his
own name. About $50 or 400 people re-
sponded. 1t was meeting to organize the
Hicks workers in favor of the Hicks
Brooks faction. He said on this occasion:
This is a great republican city and | be-
lieve that none but Republicans should
hold offices, and again. do not believe that
holding a political office under the govern
me rn1 frn ix-a1,-
engaging In politics. He also expressed
himself in favor of repeal of the civil
service law. In support of this allegation
we have the testimony of Albert +. Turner
reporter the Philadelphia Evening
Bulletin, who attended the meeting and
acted secretary, taking notes of the
proceedings.
Alleged Coercion of EmpIOye.
''The civil service law provides, section .
clause 2, subdivision 6. that no person in
said service has any right to use hi. Of
fetal authority or influence to coerce the
political action of any person or body, and
also (subdivision 81, that no person In the
public service Is for that reason under anv
obligations TO render any political service.
and that he win not be removed or other
wise prejudiced for refusing to do So Yet
Frank M. Knoll, at 2S04 Columbia avenue
Philadelphia, stated upon examination by
Mr.. Doyle, secretary Of the civil service
commission, that he was appointed laborer
without examination, at the Philadelphia
post Office on April l. 1898; that on July
q, 1900, Postmaster Hicks said to him.
Mr.. Knoll. 1 always understood you to be
a friend Of Mr. Kindred (Mr Kindred was
then a member Of the republican committee
from the twenty-ninth ward), and he add
ed. How is it that you are not helping
Mr.. Kindred in this fight? (meanlne the
contest for nomination as state senator,
Kindred being a supporter of Mr. Walton
for that place.; that Knoll thereupon told
Mr.. Hicks that he was for Norris the COM
mittee man who was working for the op-
posing candidate, and Mr.. Hicks said, You
know that Mr.. Kindred put you here and
is advancing you. and will do more for
you. / would not turn good friend down
like that. the man who put you in your
position Knoll thereupon told MIR. Hicks
that he had made UP his mind that he
could not support Mr.. Kindred. and Hicks
thereupon told him to go back to his work
Early in August. Knoll was told
by Mr.. Zieber. the assistant postmaster
that he was discharged. He asked if it
was for sticking up for his principles and
his friends, and the answer was Yes 1t
would seem evident from this testimony
that Mr.. Hicks had sought to coerce knofs
political action and Knoll had been re-