The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-04-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

Federal affairs constitute one of the strik-
ing features of Mr.. Roosevelt's admins
tration. One of the most prominent
positions awarded to a young journalist
is that of Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury now filled by Mr.. Robert Armstrong.
Another is that of First Assistant Post
master General, which the President
awarded to Mr.. Robert Wynne, for many
years prominent Washington cores
pondent. Mr.. Henry Mcfarland, for
many years correspondent of leading
New England paper has been appointed
one of the commissioners of the District
of Columbia and Mr.. Harry West, polit-
ical writer for magazines and for local
newspaper, has been selected to fill anoth-
err vacancy in the District Commission.
The present Commissioner of Pensions,
Mr.. Eugene F. Ware, was a newspaper
man, as were also the chief of the Secret
Service, Mr.. Wilkie, and several other
government officials. In every instance
the newspapermen appointed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt have rendered excellent
accounts of themselves and it is generally
conceded that they have proved of value
in the positions to which they have been
assigned.
~
While never newspapernlan himself,
DractIo,,f fn have Raan
probation of the value and the difficulties
of 1.-THE craft" and always shows the
utmost consideration. In the plans fol
his new office building he insisted that q
comfortable room for the accommoda
ton of the press be provided, the tirs'
"press room" ever established in the
White House, and on his trips about the
country he always takes along the repre-
sentatives of the press associations and
frequently those of several of the more
prominent newspapers When he is In
Washington, Mr.. Roosevelt is always
accessible to the correspondents of rep
utable newspapers, and when intelligent
questions are propounded TO him he in
variably takes great pains to make him
self understood and to impart, if possible
the necessary information. 1t is part ot
the unwritten code of Washington cor
respondents that the President is never tc
be quoted, that is. his remarks made ii
private conversation, and for that reason
the public is seldom aware of the source
even when it reads statements and news
that has come direct from the President
himself. Mr.. Roosevelt always display:
the utmost confidence in the correspon
dents and talks to them with entire free
dom, although he not infrequently spoils
a good "story" by sealing his inter
viewers lips with an injunction Of secrecy
This confidence has never been violated,
even though it has more than once re.
suited in the recipients being "scooped'
by some enterprising competitor who has
dug out the facts without going to the
President.
~
1t is said at the Postoffice Department
that the investigation still continues but
no facts are made public and it is stated
officially that none will be given out unit
the inquiry is completed. The entire
affair, according to the Postmaster Gen
eral, is in the hands Of Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow and Mr.
Payne is not even acquainted with the
charges as they come in. The utmost
confidence is felt in the thoroughness with
which Mr.. Bristow will perform hi:
duties, none the less because of the fact
that every attempt has been made by pol
iticians in the past to secure his dismissal
1t is asserted of Mr. Bristow that he has
no friend among the politicians of any
party, that he has held his position BY
sheer merit and that he is not, therefore
under obligations to anyone, fact which
particularly fits him for his present work
That very grave charges are under con
sideration is known and the only question
as to the effectiveness of the present in
vestigation is whether the recommends
tions of Mr.. Bristow aud his inspectors
will be carried out to the letter when
made.
~
Quietly. but none the less effectually,
the President has been strengthening the
civil service regulations of the Govern.
ment until today there are almost nc
places which are controlled by politica
influence. The only notable exceptions
are what are known as presidential post
masters and members of the consular
service. One of the strongest features o.
the new law which went into effect last
week is a provision which forbids the pay
ment of employees appointed or retained
contrary to rulings of the Civil Service
Commission. AS the auditors of the
Treasury Department are personally re
sponsible for every payment they approve
this order makes each of them an agent
for the enforcement of the civil service
regulations. The new rules make i'm.
possible the employment of persons as
laborers and assigning them to clerical
work. Only persons employed at manual
labor shall be classed as laborers. A
serious abuse which the new rules are
designed to remedy is the appointment o.
political favorites as rangers and in other
capacities on the forest reserves of the
country. Hereafter all vacancies i'll thi:
work will have to be filled with persons
certified BY the Commission. 1t is also
provided that all EMPLOYEES appointed