The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-16
REFORM LEAGUE
BACKS MISS TODD
Report Upon Greenwood
POstOffice Case.
THE GOVERNMENT IS SCORED
P1stmistress Found to Be Innocent of
the Charges Alleged as Cause of
Her Removal.

The Civil Service Reform League has
made public the findings of the COM
mittee appointed 20 investigate the facts
in regard to the alleged improper po-
litical activity Of Huldah B. Todd, for
mer postmaster at Greenwood, Del,
who was removed from office by POST
master General Payne because she was
particularly and personally obnoxious
to Senator Alice"
In addition to the committee report
The league has made public a letter
from the Postmaster General in which
he acknowledges receipt Of the report,
and says in reply that the report Of the
postofice inspectors shows that Miss
Todd permitted the use of her office as
a political rendezvous. and was active
in politics.
Upon one occasion she said, according
TO the inspector. that Senator Alice was
AN ignorant man, without education,
without character and principle and
that his election TO such an office was
disgrace to the State Upon the
strength of this report Mr. Payne wrote
10 the league that he felt justified in
having removed Miss Todd.
Declined to Investigate.
There is also letter from the Civil
Service Commission declining to go into
the matter further Miss Todd's char
acter and efficiency were not questioned
at any time.
The findings of the Civil Service Re
form League Committee were as fol-
lows:
THAT Miss Todd was never officially
informed that she was removed because
of her perniciOus political activity She
was, on the contrary. told that there
were no charges against her. In the
course Of an interview Mr.. Payne told
her that she was particularly and per
sonally obnoxious cor ObjectiOnable) to
Senator Alice
Service Satisfactory.
That Miss TOdd's administration of
her Office was satisfactory to her pa
irons; and that she never received any
complaints on any score from the Post
office Department.
THAT no official or public mention
was made OF any charges of pernicious
political activity until the removal OF
Miss Todd had been widely reported and
adversely commented upon by the
newspapers OF the country
That Senator Alice and Senator
Pennewtn, who are commonly believed
TO have instigated Miss Tocd's removal,
ere unwilling OF unable 10 prove that
Miss Todd was active in politics.
That no general belief Of any exists
among the people in Greenwood that
Miss Todd was ever active in politics.
OF ulsCIllnAuaAeQ against any OF ucI
patrons for political reasons.
Denies Allegations.
THAT Miss To6d herself absolutely
denies that she was active in politics.
or allowed the postoffice to be used for
political meetings. or Disseminated
against any patrons; and that the cir
cumstantial evidence seems 10 strongly
support her contentious.
THAT your committee is convinced.
from the evidence secured, that Miss
Todd's removal cannot justly be at
tributed to any perniCiOus political ac-
tivity on her part, but was probably
due TO a request 10 the POstoft1ce De
partment originating within the so-cali-
ed AddiclNs faction Of the Republican
party. Very respectfully.
''R. Francis Wood. chairman. Robert
d. jerks. II. .. Reik.