Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-03-04
REASON FOR THE WORRIED LOOK

vice commission starts 10 investigate the
charges preferred by Letter Carrier Tilot-
1On against Postmaster Benjamin r..
Thomas, he VIII have placed before him
The detailed story OF the shake-down OF
postal employees Tor political contributions
last tall
Despite the postmaster's denlals, the in
Iide facts have come out with amounts and
names OF the men who were touched. q"
The story is told so circumstantially by
W A. Kelley, superintendent of registry
sho was pressed into service by the post
Master to make the collections that the
others involved cannot fail TO corroborate
Mir. Kelley has put his statement In
writing, and sworn TO II as an aIrldavit
making a story which reads almost amazing
,arts on which are here given. Mr.. Kelley
ellis how apparently he was in bad" with
.he postmaster from the FIRST because, out
)f loyalty TO his superior, he had favored
Postmaster Palmer for re-appointment, and
how bevouse OF that he nau been subject
20 repeated complaints and humiliation by
Thomas. Coming Gown to last fairs cam
)aign he says:
story Told by Kelley.
About two weeks before election.
should judge about the middle of October
postoffce. lie said:
Billy he said 4 believe I can see now
where / can put 500 more on your salGry.
Il said, Good; / thank you l will ap-
preciate g. as / have not had an increase
'or several years.
Two or three days after | met Captain
Palmer and informed him Of my good for
tune; that was 10 get an increase Of 800
and he said Good. The postmaster ap-
peared unusually friendly toward me and
paid almost daily visits to the registry d.
vision, Saturday evening before election
shout O'Clock. Mr. Woodard. the as
distant postmaster. came into the registry
division and called me aside and ssid,
Billy the postmaster wants 20 see you.
is that 500 | asked. And he replied
Yes; a widow with six children. ne says
was burned out and needs assistance
II knew what that meant. all right.
Informed Mr.. Woodard that the money or
der division had just closed domestic
money orders are issued from the registry
division after D. m. night service), that
the eastern mails were being closed out
and that this was a very busy hour at
both the receiving and delivery windows;
hat l could not possibly leave the division
iow. but would see him tomorrow (Sun-
aay).
Thomas Must Have Money.
The next day (Sunday, November g
went to Mr. Thomas house, entered the
parlor, and after passing a lew seasOnable
,etnarks as to the weather, etc.
Billy said Mr. Thomas, come in and
see my den.
I'VE went in, closed the door and sat
down at a small table
Billy. they have hit me pretty hard
in this campaign; don't you think you car,
go to our friends in the office and help
me out? The state committee has drawn
on me for $500. the county committee for
$50 and now the congressional are after
me-
TO 20 back a few weeks, l wish to
state that 1 was in the pOstmssters office
with a report, and In a joking manner
asked him why he was not out hustling for
Judge sutton lie winked at me and told
me not to say anything in his favor that
he had not yet squared himself. So, when
he stated that the congressional committee
had assessed him, l asked him II sutton
had squared himself.
"'oh. yes. He's come across; we've got
him foul
suEarInE the Halt.
Taking a paper tablet ana a pencil, he
began
Now. 1 have SLIGO to give OUT Bur
mcister has resignedi and Charley Wle
was going TO be his successor. Now, can't
you SO among our friends and get them
to help out, You can assure them OF an
Increase.
And then reading from the tablet, on
which be had written some names and
amounts, he continued:
- want to increase Colonel Akin $780,
he can't be given any less. as there Is no
$500 class and really he Is entitled to
$500; there is Westerdah 1 want to in
crease him 500; l want 20 give your as
sistant another 500; Billy Connoran. he
should be increased 500. and Charley Wnle
would set d $500 increase.
40 you think you can get that in
crease for Willie? / asked
on. yes, When I was in Washington
Dr Grandficld and 1 talked this all over;
pr Grandfield wanted TO place Willie In
The position at SllOO but after considera-
bic argument he consented TO make Il
81 go. Now. / viii have some more left.
and II Il Is at all possible l will get you
q 500 increase.
Il told him that It was more than
could expect but thanked him for his in
tentions.
want you to be awfully careful IN
this matter; you know now who our friends
are he said.
II knew that by Mr.. Burmeister's resig-
nation there would be $500 that should be
distributed among the supervisory en-
ployes who were in line for increase. and
] asked him where he was 10 get the
81 100 from.
Never mind; have got IL an right.
Il let It go al that. though had nay
doubts.
When does Mr.. Burmeister's reslgna-
tion take effectT I asked.
About the LIST OF October
Getting Down 90 business.
The boys Mr. Thomas, are All pretty
hard up; many OF us paying for homes
i wanted 20 try him. and he stated that
he would date the increases back to the