Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-24
lIfH
National HBsoc citation Of Letter
Carriers Suspected.
DEPARTMENT ACTS
VIOLATIoMsnOF RULES OF THE
& d ii SERVICE.
Movement to Prevent Election Of
Chairman Of the Post Office
COMMITTEES.

The events connected with the campaign
OF Representative Loud OF California may
give the Post Office Department an oppor-
tunty to enforce in some summary way the
rule against officials Of the government In
terfering with political matters. Action
was taken today which indicates that such
interference will be dealt with promptly.
The president Of the Letter Carriers Asso-
citation, Mr. Keller of Cleveland has within
q few days been reelected to that position
1t Is understood he was presented with
$1,000 by the association to pay his neces-
sary travelling expenses. He proceeded TO
San Francisco and the attention OF the de-
partment was called to that fact and also
to the fact that 1t was believed his mission
there was antagonistic to the election or
Representative Loud because of Mr.. Loud 8
unpopularity with the association. owing to
his refusal to support legislation desired
by it.
Authority Obtained.
Mr.. Howley, chief clerk Of the office Of
the first assistant postmaster general, at
once telegraphed the facts in the case to
Mr.. Wynne and received instructions to can
eel the leave Of Mr.. Keller. If in his judg-
ment that was desirable in order to prevent
This interference In an election.
Mr.. Howley today Cancelled the leave OF
Mr. Keller by telegraph, and there will now
be nothing for him to do but to return
to Cleveland and resume his duties as let
ter carrier, or retire from the service. The
department will give prompt attention TO
all information it may receive in the future
showing that any letter carrier is in any
way using the Influence Of his position to
defeat the election of Mr. Loud, as that
would be clearly in violation Of the civil
service rules, and would warrant immedt-
ate dismissal from the service.
Mr.. Loud Is chairman of the House OF
Representatives committee on post offices
and post roads, and in that capacity has
considered various suggestions for legis-
lation that have come from the National
Letter Carriers Association. He has not
approved many of these suggestions. and In
opposing them has had the opposition of
the association. which has II, 900 letter car
riers all over the country enrolled as its
members. e = IT
1t has long been rumored that the asso-
citation would use its influence to defeat
Mr.. LIQUIDS Ts-elettion and the movement
Of the president 81 the association toward
San Franciso and the attendant circum-
stances were such as to convince the off,
Gals here that this rumor was to be put
into enect. no FORMAL charges have been
filed with the department against any one
as violating the civil service rules. but as
soon as any such charges are received they
will be taken up and considered at once.
Viewrof the Department.
This reported EFFORT to defeat Mr., Loud
for reelection Is regarded as one of the
very worst forms of political interference
on the parttof government employees. II
such interferepce were permitted it is said
that Congress might as well give up the
framing of legislation to associations of
employees Interested In its passage. Such
associations not only command money by
means OF asse ssments they can make on
their members. but because Of their official
positions these employees could readily exert
an enormous influence in elecdng or defeat
ing candidates for Congress.