The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21
MONTGOMERY IS
MAN CHOSEN FOR
POSTMASTERSHIP
Thompson Announces Taft Has
Agreed to Appoint About
September 10
STEELE TO GO WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Montgomery and steele Are Both in
Washington Going Over Case of
the Southern Wholesale Gro
GERS Association


All speculation and doubt as to the
future postmaster for Birmingham we're
set at rest, when upon returning from
Washington and Beverly yesterday after
noon, Joseph o. Thompson announced
that Joseph II. Montgomery would re-
ceive the berth. Mr.. Montgomery is at
the present time special assistant United
States district attorney at Birmingham
and has held this position for some time.
He is now in Washington comforting with
the department of justice officers.
Mr.. Thompson has been absent from
Birmingham about 10 days and during
this time he called on President Taft at
his summer capitol in Beverly. He was
accompanied to that place by n. L. Steele
and Mr.. Montgomery. While there the
postoffice situation was gone over thor
oughly and the rumors were received
here that Mr.. Montgomery would secure
the job. However, formal announcement
was withheld by Mr.. Thompson until his
return to this city yesterday afternoon.
The postoffice appointment has been a
live topic in Birmingham. having started
before Congress adjourned N. l.. Steele
was appointed to the position by Presi-
dent William H. Taft and everyone be-
lieved Mr.. Steele would secure the place
However, Senator Joseph F. Jonston of
Birmingham held the Senate confirma-
ton up, on the ground that President
Taft did not show him the proper cour-
tesy in appointing man to such an inn
portant position in the senator's home
town without having consulted with the
Senate agreed with the Alabama senator
and Steele was not confirmed
Injured en- Route to Washington
Mr. Tmopson started to Washington
several months ago to assist in straight
ening out the question. but he was in
1ured in an automobile accident and did
not reach there for about three months.
In the meantime Mr.. Montgomery loom
ed up now has geen agreed upon for
the appointment. He is lawyer by pro-
fession having practiced here for num-
Der of years. Mr.. Steele is thoroughly
satisfied with the new arrangement and
will be made an officer In the department
has not been made known.
When he alighted from the Birmingham
Special from Washington yesterday aft
ernoon Mr.. Thompson was requested for
a statement. He said:
The rumor that Mr.. Montgomery will
receive the appointment as postmaster is
true. He will be given a recess appoint
ment as soon as the President and the
Postmaster General return to washing
ton. I think that Will not be later than
September 10. Mr.. Steele, Mr.. Montgom-
cry and were In conference with Pres
ident Taft a fcw days ago. We discussed
the affair with him and went over every
detail in connection with 1t. The Presi-
dent will make an official appointment
within the time stated Mr.. Steele has
agreed to the plan of appointing Mr..
Montgomery will retire from the depart
ment of justice and Mr.. Steele will be
appointed to a place in that department.
am not at liberty to say what position
will be given him, but he will be station
ed in Birmingham. No appointment as
assistant postmaster has been agreed
upon.
1.-THE postmastership is now definitely
settled I believe and I hope the people OF
Birmingham will find in Mr.. Montgomery
servant worthy of their support and CO.
operation. He Is keenly alive to the needs
Of Birmingham, is a patriotic citizen and
may be depended upon to assist in every
manner to promote the interests of his
fellow citizens"
Conference With Roosevelt
In speaking of his conference with
Colonel Roosevelt in regard to visiting
Birmingham, Mr.. Thompson said:
THE reason Mr.. Roosevelt could not
be here this autumn was that his plans
had been carefully mapped out and defin-
itely settled. He will go to California next
spring, 1 think along about March. If at
that time the local committee wishes him
to visit Birmingham he assures me that
he will be glad to visit u.s. Colonel Roose-
welt would unquestionably have visited
Birmingham at the time we wished had
the committee not delayed its invitation.
He speaks enthusiastically of this city and
remembers with a great deal of pleasure
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