Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-05-16
r, H, HITCHCOCK
 RECENT TRIP Believed to Have Been of More Than Ordinary Sig nificance Visited Geor- gia,and Florida.
 WILL NOT PLUG EARS .Conierred With Republican Leaders Respecting the Altitude 0i Dele gates 10 Be Elected to the National Convention Next Year.
WILL NOT PLUG EARS

Washington, May 16.- tSpecial9 Trips that may be of moie "f less impoftahf", poi i,a.J. are be- ing plauaad by First assistant Postmastof ,ta0eral Frank II Ilitch- cock and 5a i.l Assistant James r. McClearv. - Hitcheoes recently ooL Ter extens:Ia jaunt ,hrouGn T." south, visiting cities particuIarlg m Georgia and Flcltda It was suggested at the time that he was comforting with Republican leaders respecting the attitude Of delegates to be elected to the na- tional convention next var. He says himself that his trip had largely to do with official business of the postofIiee department, al- though, incidentally, he was look ing up some additional health for himself, being considerably run down The exact situation lies be- tween the two understandings It is possible that Mir. Hitchcock did not talk politics. very much, but it is a certainty that he did some very intelligent listening to others on that subject In a short time MT. Hitchcock expects to take an- other trip "on postoffice business" :" but it is not expected that he will plug up his ears in case anybody should mention politics while he is away from Washington. MT. Me- Cleary, who was made second post master general because his Min nesota constituents were so in- discreet as not to send him back to congress, has planned trip clear to the Pacihc coast That is go- ing some for a new official who is not yet warm in his seat. He will visit all of the principal Western cities, including those on the Pa cfic coast.
 My idea" said MT. McCleary. lis to become familiar with the de- tails of the postal service with which l have directly to do. The second assistant postmaster general is entrusted with the expenditure of $76 100000 year and he ought to know just how that money is being used want to know what ! am doing when I am called upon to sign letters and documents in my office. otherwise my name might as we'll be affixed with a rubber stamp. am new in my office. but Pm not an automaton and I do not want to have to take the word or any subordinate on the matter of money expenditure The easiest and best way to learn the service is to get out and mix up with it and that is what I'm going to do"
 ''Is your mission in any sense political-that is, has it to do in any respect with next years presi- dential campaign?"
 Not at all" replied MT. Me- Cleary, promptly. "I'm not the ad- vance agent of anybody's political boom and my trip is not to be made for the purpose of taking sonndings on politics. I probably shall near more or less interesting political discussion, but that will be only incidental to my travels" |"
 Cautiously enough, several other important government officials are planning to take trips this summer through sections of the country with which they are familiar As- surance is given that they are merely vacation jaunts or journeys on public business It is a. bit significant, however. that so much government business should de- mand investigation at close range just a few months before the opening of tbe presidential cam naipO