Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-08
To Be Managed by Asst.
Post. Gen. Hitchcock.
Will Retire From the Service
Probably About Feb. IS.
To 10 Succeeded BY Or Grandfieid,
20 Years In Department.

Washington, Feb. Announcements
was nude today of the approaching
retirement from the postal service or
Frank II. Hitchcock. first assistant
postmaster general Mr.. Hitchcock will
assume active management of the
campaign of Secretary Taft for the
Republican nomination for the PreSi-
dency. The exact date Of the retire
ment has not been determined definite
~, hut probably will be about Feb. 10.
first assistant postmaster general by
DIR. Charles p. Grandfield. who for a
little more than two years has been
chief of the bureau over which Mr..
Hitchcock presided. DR.. Grandfield has
been actively identified with the pos
tai service for about 20 years and is
widely known and highly esteemed,
personally and officially.
Several weeks ago Mr.. Hitchcock
was requested by Sec. Taft to under
take the management of his campaign.
The secretary desired to enlist his
services, not only because he Is wide
ly known throughout the country and
has mad experience of valuable kind
In campaign work. but because he
felt the necessity of having a man in
charge OF the INFINITE variety of de-
tails Of the campaign to whom he
could refer questions that were aris-
ing constantly and to which he was
unable to devote the time they seemed
to demand.
It Is not n secret that to dispose of
the great amount OF work incident to
the direction Of his Department Sec.
Taft has been obliged Tor several
weeks practically to exclude himself
from visitors a part Of the time. The
work has been exceedingly trying. for
ne Is under a severe mental and phys
ical strain for from IL to 20 hours ev-
cry day.
When Sec. Taft made the proffer OF
the management Of his campaign to
MI Hitchcock, he desired him to un-
dertake the work Immediately. That in
the opinion Of Mr.. Hitchcock, would
have necessitated his retirement AT
once from the office of first assistant
postmaster general, because he could
not with propriety conduct a political
campaign from the postoffice depart
nent. 30 he told Sec. Taft that he
SoufA Hot assume the duties or cam.
paigr manager on the spur OF the
moment. He asked time to consider the
subject and to confer with friends.
TO this the secretary entered no OBJ
lection. but expressed q desire that
decision be reached as soon as practi-
cable. A.
In considering the matter with his
friends. Mr.. Hitchcock found himself
somewhat embarrassed, because he
had instituted, on behalf of the postal
service certain lines of action which
he felt he ought to follow to their con-
ciustan. This would render 1t necessary
Tor him to appear in his official capac-
lily before committees of Congress. He
hrally Informed Sec. Taft If he could
oe given time to meet his obligations
and duties to the postal service he
would accept the proffer.
Mr.. Hitchcock now has practically
concluded the work on which he was
engaged and, in a few days, he will
tender his resignation and leave the
postofiice department. Mt. Roosevelt
Joined with Sec. Taft in requesting Mr.
Hitchcock to undertake the campaign
work.
MI. Hitchcock has consistently de.