The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-31
Successor to Birmingham Post
master VIII be Chosen
IRREGULARITY is CHARGED
Department OFFICIALS State That Ala
bama Appointments Are Giving
More Trouble Than Any
Other Southern State.
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

6I WA En0ON = EAEEIs
Washington, December SO.-(Special.)-
As soon as his successor is determined
upon, Postmaster ]. w. Hughes of Bir-
mingham will be removed from office.
This was the announcement made by
Postmaster General Wynne this morning.
The selection of his successor is now in
the hands of the Alabama referees. If
they recommend to the President a man
whom he considers qualified to hold the
position he will be appointed. Should they
undertake machine methods and put for
ward a candidate who does not possess
the confidence and endorsement of the
business men generally of Birmingham
the postoffice department will take the
case into its own hands and select the
best man applying for the position.
Depends on the Man.
The Influence of the refL ees in the mat
ter depends entirely upon the character
of the man they recommend If they
put forward a man competent in all re-
spects for the position the recommends
ton will go through, otherwise not.
Postmaster Hughes is removed for
shortage in his accounts" was the state
ment of the postmaster general this
\ morning. 1t is understood here that this
shortage amounted more to an irregular
ity than anything else as the postmaster
made good with his personal checks to
supply the deficiency.
But the method has always received
the most severe dealing at the hands of
the postoffiee department and the recon-
mendation for a removal has invariably
followed its practice. II is understood
that the postmaster general discussed the
case with the President at the cabinet
r1eeting this morning, as 1t was shortly
after that time the announcement was
made.
Postmaster Hughes holds on until his
successor is appointed and confirmed by
the senate. the method used by the
postmaster in balancing his accounts has
heretofore been fully explained in The
Age-Herald, though no details are made
public at the postoffiee department. An
inspector of the department visited the
office some time ago, and discovering the
condition referred to. reported it to the
fourth assistant, who promptly recon-
mended DIR. Hughes dismissal which
recommendation has been approved.
Alabama Causes Much Trouble.
partment said today that the department
IS having more trouble over the appoint
ment of postmasters in the state of Ala
bama than any other state He SAYS that
nearly every man who is recommended
TOR office has charges preferred against
nm and the President is at complete
loss to know what to do in a number
o cases nax before him. The same con-
Gitions exist, in a manner in all the
southern states, but Alabama is especial
ly notorious in the recommendations of it's
referees.
Another result of the cabinet meeting
this morning was the announcement that
Postmaster Bohan of New Orleans, would
also walk the plank His successor is, as
yet, not determined on.
Postmaster Hughes Statement.
When shown the above dispatch Post
master Hughes said:
Il have received no communication from
the postoffice department indicating that
any such action had been or would be
TAKEN l prefer not to discuss the matter
Afurther.''
1t was said here yesterday that Post
master Hughes may be given a hearing
before the department at Washington be-
fore final action is taken.
Referee Thompson Declines to Talk.
Internal Revenue Collector j. o. Thomp-
son. one of President Roosevelts referees,
was seen last night regarding the prob
able action of the referees in recon-
mending a successor to DIR. Hughes but
he declined to discuss the matter.
Mr.. Thompson was asked several ques-
tions relative to the Birmingham post
office but would not answer any of them.
It is known that Mr.. Thompson and
Capt. Charles H. Scott, the referees for
Alabama, will go to Washington some
time next week, probably next Wednes-
day. for the purpose of comforting with
the postoffice department and the Pres
ident. regarding appointments of several
postmasters that are now pending in the
department.
1t is possible that at this time the ref
erees will take some action relative to
the Birmingham pos tmastership.
4