The Washington herald., 1908-01-13

Who is responsible for the rule enforced
by the Civil Service Commission that per
sons under feet inches in height are
ineligible Cor appointment to positions in
the postal service?
That is a question President Roosevelt
wants answered, and he wants It an
swered in a hurry. Inquiry develops
that the conspiracy among Uncle SANS
| employees against short men is widespread
and effective
IF this rule was made general in its
application, said a Pennsylvania. 1t
would drive Senator Philander Chase
Knox out of Congress and make futile
his efforts to succeed President Roose-
welt in the White House
lie Likes short Wen.
But this has got nothing to do with il.
President Roosevelt wants il made clear
! that he has no prejudice against short
men, and he has caused an investigation
20 be made TO ascertain who is response
bic for the rule that men less than s
feet I inches in height and Weighing less
than l2 pounds, shall not be appointed
to places in certain branches of the postal
service: that men under feet 6 inches
shall not be given jobs in the Railway
Mail Service or in the Life Saving Service
and that those who do not reach any
farther in the air than feet inches
shall not be admitted into the Department
OF Agriculture as meat taggers.
Rastus Moore col0red, Of indianapolis,
is the Inspiration for the investigation
set on foot in this connection. Rastus IS
OF some Importance in Republican poll
ties in that city. He Is one Of the DO
itical lieutenants OF Representative Jesse
Overstreet and aspired TO a job In the
Indianapolis post-office. He was way up
on the Three RS" and as Rastus
viewed the situation, all that was neces-
sary for him 70 do was 10 make out an
application and be examined He made
his application. and reported for examina-
tion, Uncle Sans representative run a
tape line up the dmlnutive form Of Ras-
tus, and told him he wouldn't do.
"Wahsc dat?" questioned Rastus. show
ing the whites OF his eye and uttering
low growl of rage. Wont do What you
mean?"
Rastus was then told he was a discard,
that he didn't count az ali. because he
was only feet inches In height.
whereas the government insisted that its
employees should be al least feet 4
inches
Sounds the Drums of War.
The war drums were sounded in Indl-
annapolis. and 5000 col0red voters were
assembled in council. Rastus Moore told
his tale Of woe. II was put IN the form
of a dispatch and wired TO Jesse over
street He called at the White House the
next morning, red-headed IN feelings. as
well as In fact Tearing his hair with
rage and throwing dirt upon his person.
Representative Jesse Overstreet dramat-
ically recited 20 the President the slight
put upon his constituent, Rastus Moore.
a hurry-up call was sent to the Civil
Service Commission Commissioner Henry
+. Greene responded. on behalf of the
commission he attempted 10 perform
gracefully the act of getting from un-
der" He said the commission was not
responsible. that all the blame should be
placed on the shoulders OF certain bureau
officers.
President Roosevelt has made up his
mind TO ascertain all the facts bearing on
the plot against men who are short In
inches. He enteTtains no prejudice
against such men, and wants the whole
world 20 know IT,