Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-11
THE LETTER CAR
R|ERS' PRESIDENT
What Actually Happened in HoI-
lands Case.
HIS RESIGNATION ASKED
Made Urgent Appeal, Promising Aid
Against Lobbying.
WHY HE WANTED TO REMAIN
Desired to Get Purse Customary for
the Association to Give Re-
firing President.
Made Urgent Appeal, Promising Ait
Against Lobbying.
WHY HE WANTED TO REMAIN

1t is not SO long ago that the attitude of
the Post Office Department was emphat
ically hostile to organizations OF employees,
effected the principle as labor
unions, and with ends apparently similar.
Recently, however. there has been a marked
change in the attitude of the department,
and this was emphasized by the visit paid
this month by Frank II. Hitchcock. first
assistant postmaster general. to the annual
conventions Of the postal clerks and the let
ter carriers. the former held at Peoria ILL.,,
and the latter at Canton. Ohio
Mr.. Hitchcock delivered addresses at both
conventions, and was accompanied his
visits by Dr. John A. Holmes, private sec
rotary to the Postmaster General. Thus
official sanction, countenance and approval
seemed to be given from the highest quar-
ters to the employees organizations.
1t was said at the Post Office Depart
ment that during the regime Of Mr. Cortel-
you hard-and fast rules had been laid down
to the organization and that they would
have to conduct themselves accordingly and
to abstain from undue political activity, and
especially from lobbying for special legisla-
ton for their own benefit.
Lived Up to Corteiyou's Order.
The conclusion was drawn, therefore. by
department officials who were in Washing
ton while the conventions were in session
that the Postmaster General and those clos
est in his confidence must consider that the
organiza tons had lived and were living up
to the modus vivendi prescribed by Mr. Cor
telyou, and that the seal of official approval
was being affixed to the associations by the
visit of Mr.. Hitchcock as second in COM
mand. and Dr. Holmes, as the direct repre-
sentative of the Postmaster General.
hut during the convention of letter
riers al Canton dispatch was sent out to
the effect that the retiring president of the
organization. ]. D. Holland of the Boston
district, who had made his reelection I'M
possible by activity in lobbying in the JIM
terest of his association. had been presented
with big purse by the delegates assem-
bled
This dispatch could not be taken. even by
the most optimistic as indicative of a spirit
Of willing submission on the part of the
carriers delegates to the beheStS of the
department against lobbying and kindred
offenses. 1t looked If the associa ton.
compelled by force majeure to dispense with
the services Of its ''perniciously active"
head, had yet resolved to apply soothing
balm to his wounds and demonstrate to
him that. while officially they were obliged
to frown their dsapproval, yet personally
they were deeply grateful to him for his
wire pulling in the lobby. and gave him as
much money as they could gather to show
their gratitude for the work he had done
and to compensate him for the trouble he
had had with the department.
This was the natural conclusion to draw
from the dispatch. but. since it was posi-
BILE that the news item omitted some i'm
portant link In the chain, the return of Mr..
Hitchcock from the seat of war
awaited.
Mr. Hitchcock yesterday said that the
conclusion drawn from the dispatch was
wrong but NE acknowledged to reporter
of The Star that 1t was a reasonable de-
duction and the only one to be expected,
since nobody the convention eXcpDt the
representatives of the department, the re-
firing president of the association, the ex-
ecutive committee and a few individuals
knew the true inwardness Of the matter
Matter Brought Out In Detail.
"It is high time" said Mr.. Hitchcock,
that the truth of this matter should be
brought out in detail. 1t has been with
held thus far merely out of consideration
for the man involved former President
Holland. of the letter carriers.
This is what happened: At the con-
vening of the last Congress Holland be-
came very active In lobbying. This was
soon brought to the attention of the de-
partment and the man was notified that
he had violated the agreement between the
association and the department and that
his resignation was in order Holland wrote
an earnest appeal to the department. pro-
Tossing the deepest repentance for what he
had done and expressing the greatest re-
greet. He promised that IL he were al
lowed to remain in office until the end Of his
term he would throw all his influence
against lobbying and political wirepulling
in his association. and also declared that he
would not permit his name to be used in
candidacy for reelection.
He said that the reason for his anxiety
to retain his office was that he might OBJ
tain at the end of his term the purse which
it is customary for the association to give
to its retiring president. The presidents
Of the association serve two years, without
salary. and this custom of segivng has
the approval of the department. Holland
said that he was a poor man and that he
had based calculations for himself and his
family upon the expected purse. Agents of
the department were sent to the vicinity of
reported that his circumstances were as ne
had represented them. Accordingly 1t
seemed best to the Postmaster General,
to whose attention the affair was
brought directly. to exercise clemency. and
the request Of Holland was granted and he
was permitted to retain his office. Conse-
Quently the presentation of the purse at
Canton was not only approved. but also
expected by the department. and was in no
way a sign Of resentment against treat
ment of Holland indication of re-
bellion against the departments ruling in
his case.
I'VE consider that these organizations,
as conducted at present. are of benefit to
the service since the delegates meet to dis
cuss methods Of work and to suggest i'm
provements which would be OF value to the
department Money has even been apprO-
priated for the best papers technical
subjects read before the conventions. 1t Is
believed that the evils of lobbying and
political wire-pulling are eliminated and
that the associations are not fighting for
selfish ends. This being the case. the bodies
now have the countenance. approval and
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