The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-27
LETTER CARRIERS
MAKE AFFIDAvITS
Civil Service Employees Tell Of
Congressman slc,np's
Assessment.
EXAMINES MANY WITNESSES
Special Agent Fisher Will Make
No Statement as TO Per
nicious Activity.

Examination under oath of letter
carriers ana other employees of the
post-ofIlce continued yesterday before
Special Agent l.. II. Fisher Of the
United States Civil Service Commits
sion. The depositions were taken in
private, and no announcement was
,, made as to their character, witnesses
being cautioned not TO talk. 1t is un-
derstoob tfat sufficient evidence has
been secured to justify the assertion
that there has been general disregard
of the act OF Congress and the rules
of the Civil Service Commission re-
garding pernicious activity of civil
service employees In party politics and
party conventions and factions. To
say that the Federal Building is in a
ferment draws 1t lightly Government
employees have done little else for days
but discuss the probable outcome.
May Demnnd Explanation,
The rules Of the Civil Service Com
mission, of course, do not apply 10
such officials as Postmaster Allan, Col
lcctor Arnold or Collector Lowry who
are presidential appointees. Those men
may be and are active in Republican
party councils. both in district and In
State. But If the charges are sus-
tanned that the party leaders have
assessed civil service employees in
these departments certain per-
centaEe Of their salaries for campaign
expenses. presumably with the knowl-
edge and consent of the department
heads. the Washington authorities VIII
seek come explanation.
Mr. Fisher. who Is stopping at the
Richmond Hotel. said that he could
make no statement for publication:
that he was engaged in gathering GER
tain data to be submitted to the au-
thoritles in Washington, and that any
public statement would have to be
given out by the Civil Service Com
mission there. The sessions of the
hearing yesterday were held III base
rnent room of the Federal Building.
Mr.. Fishers stenographer and United
States Commissioner Henry Flegen-
heimer, who is serving as a notary
public in swearing those who give
testimony, arc the only ones present.
when party OF newspaper men call
ed on alr. Fisher q negro letter-car-
rier was under examination. il was
understood that as many AS 100 wit
nesses have been examined under oath,
including practically all of the clerks
and carriers of the post-ofiice, and OF
the Offices of Revenue Collector Lowry
and Customs Collector Arnold.
Who Told Uncle Sam.
There is very general desire TO flpd
out who brought tile matter TO the at
tention of the government. IT is gem
orally attributed TO the out faction
of the party. though specific denials
have been entered by former City
Chairman FIegenheimer and former
United States Marshal Morgan Treat
Whoever brought tho charges, the gov
eminent is taking them seriously, and
II reports be true. has found abundant
evidence to sustain them.
II has been alleged for years III this
district and this State that regardless
of Civil Service regnlauous. Federal
ce-holders had TO come across,
and the demand was merely more ur-
gent this year when state Chairman
Slcmp needed the money to secure his
recollection IN the face of the not fight
made by Henry C. Stuart III the Ninth
District.
From reports III circulation at the
Federal Building it seems that there
was a meeting OF colored Federal en-
ployes about two months ago-a poll
tical rally IT was labelcd--held In
Johnson's Hall. Speakers are said 10
have been Postmaster Allen, former
City Chairman Flegenheimer and
United Suites Marine Hospital Sur
Geon L. II. station. Whether the assess
ment was laid at that meeting or not
Is not known, but it is certain that
some colored employees Objected to the
high schedule of taxation for Mr..
Slemp's fund, and that the government
considers that they have serious ground
for complaint.