Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-30
Appointed Postmaster of
Washington by President.
HAS BEEN ACTING A YEAR
Entered Office in 1898. When His
Father Was Its Head.
IDENTIFIED WITH THE CITY
DR.. Charles P. Grandfeld, Who Was
Confirmed Some Months Ago,
Decided Not to Accept.

Norman A. Merritt is postmaster OF
Washington.
President Taft today signed his ap.
pointment to the position. and the com.
mission was handed to the new postmas
ter short time afterward.
The work Of the position will not be-
especially new to Mr.. Merritt. who has
been acting postmaster for a year. oil
since the death Of Postmaster Barnes
Under the late postmaster. too, Mr.. Mer.
rift was assistant postmaster. He went
into the city post Office in 1898. when his
father. John A. Merritt, now collector OF
customs at Niagara Falls. was postmas-
ter. and he worked his way up by meri,
and the display of abilities that finally
won him the succession to the position his
father held.
During his connection with the city
himself with Washington people, lodges
and business concerns until he is known
as a Washington man. His administra-
ton OF the post office for a year has
shown a steady purpose to look after
the interests of the people of the city,
and for this he has been highly praised
To Remain With Hitchcock.
Mr.. Merritt becomes postmaster, too
under the interesting situation that an
other man was some months ago con-
firmed as postmaster. and has put of
from day to day assuming the duties
of the office. This man is Charles p
Grandfield, first assistant postmaster
general. Mr.. Grandfeld has been the
right-hand man of Postmaster Genera
Hitchcock. and was appointed to the
Washington post office as a reward for
his faithful devotion to the duties OF
his position.
The Senate confirmed his nomina
ton and it was assumed until recently
that he would soon take charge of thu
office. He reached the decision, how
ever, that he would like to stay will
Mr.. Hitchcock as first assistant post
master general.
Mr.. Hitchcock then looked around fol
suitable man to recommend to thu
President for postmaster. His investi
CATION showed that Mr.. Merritt hat
been extraordinarily successful as act
ing postmaster and had made a mos
creditable record. He decided upol
Mr. Merritt and today placed the lat
ter's name before the President, wh'
acted at once by signing the appoint
ment.
Mr.. Merritt modestly assumed the new
honors that came to him.
Naturally he said, Il am deeply
gratifled with the confidence Of the Presi
dent and the Postmaster General ! have
tried to give the people OF washington
the best postal service possible with th'
means at my command This shall be m,
policy for the future. 1 have no novel ex
periments to try, no friends to reward
and no enemies to punish. My duty. a:
l see 1t, is SO to act that when 1 leave
the Office the people Of Washington ant
the department will feel that no mistake
was made in appointing me to 1t.
Native of New York.
Mr.. Merritt was born at Newfane Sta
ton, N. Y, August 6. 1877, and is there
fore only a little more than thirty-thre'
years old He is said to be the younges
man who has ever been at the head of 6
post office Of the rank and Importance o.
Washington. He attended the public
schools at Lockport, n. Y, and in 1S9t
entered Cornell University. After remain
ing one year he came to washington ant
entered George Washington University
where he was graduated i'm June, 1906.
He entered the postal service August 90
1898, as clerk in the stamp division of the
Post Office Department, and served unit
August of the following year. wher
he was made secretary to his father. JohI
A. Merritt, then postmaster at Washing
ton.
He subsequently served in the local pos
office as examiner of stations. cashier and
assistant postmaster. He was made act
ing postmaster by the bondsmen of the
late Postmaster B. F. Barnes October u
1869, Immediately following Mr.. Barnes
sudden death.
Postmaster General Hitchcock said to-
day that Mr.. Merritt's administration OF
the Office during the time he has filled II
has not only been steady and business
like. but really brilliant. He has beer
keenly alive to the postal needs Of Wash
ington, the Postmaster General said. and
his efforts have been constant and unre-
hitting to meet them in the best way
possible.
Mr.. Merritt is a member of the Board
of Trade and of the Washington Chamber
Of Commerce. He also is connected with
the National Press Club and is a member
of Temple Lodge, No. 81, F. A. A. NJ
Praise From DR.. Grandfield.
DR.. Grandfield. who was nominated and
confirmed postmaster year ago. said
today that Mr.. Merritt's appointment was
an excellent one, and he predicted a fine
administration for him. Close familiarity
with the duties Of his present position.
the warm confidence reposed in him by
Postmaster General Hitchcock and the
fact that he is perhaps the best equipped
man in the postal service to assist the
Postmaster General in his aim to make
the service self-sutaining prompted DIR.
Grandfield to ask to be retained in his
present position rather than sent to the
local post Office. with its larger salary
The near Inauguration of the postal saw
ings bank system and the many changes
which Mr.. Hitchcock Is making and
planning impressed the Postmaster Cen
eral with the request, and he at once
acceded to the proposition that DR..
Grandfleid remain where he is.
Mr.. Merritt's father was appointed post
master at Washington July l. 1909. and
resigned the Office July I. 1906. The Of
ficial roster of the department shows he
was appointed third assistant postmaster
general April 20. 1897. and served from
Postmaster General Gary's time until
Postmaster General Smiths
DEATH OF IRONMASTER.
Richard Wood, Prominent Quaker,