Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-02
INSIDE PLANS AND
PURPOSE OF POST
OFFICE PROBING
Investigation Committee *
poets to Bring Binding In
diCtments Against InSpec-
tors for Spy Work
BY RALPH SMITH

WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 29.-The
first authentic information concerning
the inside plans and purposes of the
postoffice investigation committee of the
house became known today. The COM
mittee expects to get information and
evidence from an inquiry into the politi-
cal activities of postmasters that will
enable it to bring binding Indictment
against the postoffice inspectors, other
wise and properly known as spies.
It is believed that the inquiry into the
political activities of postmasters will
demonstrate that big corps of spies
are used for no purpose other than to
grease the Hitchcock political machine
and to strengthen it's weak points. Pub
lie service. it is believed. will be shown
to be a secondary consideration.
GREAT DEAL OF DATA.
Members of the Investigating commit
tee have been furnished with lots of data
tending to show that the postoffice de-
partment is organized more for political
results than for efficient service. They
have been told of many Instances in
which the public interest welfare and
convenience have been subordinate to the
political exegencies of the postal ma
chine. They have learned of cases in
which postoffice spies have resorted to
all sorts of dirty practices to accomplish
politics was not pleasing to the powers
that be. And the politics here spoken of
are factional and not partisan. In other
words, 1t has been charged that good
republicans have been sacrificed in order
to prefer less efficient and less desirable
republicans, who would play politics as
decreed by the postal machine.
Chairman Ashbrook today had called
to his attention to recent row at Column
II a.
of Col. Arch Hughes as the postmaster.
Col Hughes charged that he was re-
moved without a hearing and because
Hitchcock, who was then first assistant
acknowledgement, was playing politics.
SERIOUS CHARGES.
The Colonel claims, and is willing to
back 1t up. that Hitchcock sent out
clerk from his office to Columbia, Tenn,
with instructions to report against him,
and thereby enable the department to
remove him without any hearing. He
declares that this is a customary prac-
tice in the department. When man is
unsatisfactory an Inspector is sent to.
his office. instructed before hand as to
the report he is to- make.
AS a result of Col. Hughes summary
dismissal from the postal service, the
Colonel, came to Washington, where he
had a stormy scene with the then Presi-
dent Roosevelt and subsequently with
Mr. Hitchcock He talked very plainly
to the latter and since that time he has
expressed himself emphatically upon sew
eraI occasions.
Col Hughes is now located in WASH
ington, at the head of a mining COM
pany He is independently fixed in world
ly goods and is anxious to tell some OF
the things he knows about the post
office department as it is managed by
General Hitchcock. He will be given
every opportunity by the committee.
Chairman Ashbrook stated tonight that
he and other members of the committee
had received so many complaints from
all sections of the country concerning all
sorts of abuses in the service that they
are at a loss as to where to begin.
I'VE will first probe the postmasters.
because I believe we will get lots OF
information and data that will enable us
to pursue our inquiry along other and
more important lines said the chair
man. I'VE will ascertain whether these
high salaried postmasters are actually
attending to their duties or whether they
are playing politics, attending to other
duties and allowing inspectors to run
their Offices"