Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-18
POSTMASTER is UNDER FIRE
Thomas Accused Of Violating Laws
and service Rules.
MAIL CARRIER MAKES CHARGE
says Federal Employees Have Been
Forced Ipto Political worlS-Of-
fetal Goes 60 Lincoln--Win
Give Answer.

tive AmAWeFs
Postmaster Benjamin r. Thomas who
holds down a 5000 job as local Nasty. is
made the subject OF an interesting com
munication, forwarded yesterday 70 the
president Of the civil Service commission
at washington, charging the postmaster
with fragrant violation Of civil service
rules More serious yet. Postmaster
Thomas Is charged with shaking down
sibordinates In the postoffice for po-
litical contributions. IN v.oiation OF the
federal statutes. The letter Us prepared
and signed by Dan W. Tillotson. who has
been twenty-three years on the letter car
rler force in omaha, an officer of the
local letter carriers association, whom
Postmaster Thomas has recently under
taken to punish by removing him from
the downtown district to the most remote
delivery route in the suburbs.
TfIIotson's Letter to Black.
Letter Carrier iniotson has worked I'M
der five postmasters and never had any
trouble with any OF them before. and
therefore resents his mistreatment, which
Is explained in the letter he has written
as follows:
Omaha, Neb., Feb. IS. 1s11.-Hon. John
C Black, Chairman United States Civil
Service Commission, Washington, d. c.
My Dear Sir: / am now, and have been
for a number OF years, in the service Of
the Postal Department Of the United
States government in the city OF Omaha,
Neb., and my employment has consisted in
carrying mail in the city of Omaha, Neb.,
and during the entire period OF my en-
ployment ! have never had any charges
preferred against me.
During the last campaign in Nebraska
the present postmaster, Benjamin +.
Thomas. was particularly interested in the
employees OF the POstoffice Department,
giving political assistance to the repub-
llcan ticket. and particularly to senator
e. ]. Burkett, and in this behalf said
postmaster. through his subordinates. ap-
preached me and requested. that 1 give
my assistance and influence toward the
election Of Senator z. J. Burkett, and
that should attend political meetings and
receptions in his behalf
Violation OF Law Charged.
ITO such entreaties responded that my
position as mail carrier did not neces-
state that 1 should become particularly
interested in the election OF any person
TO any public position, and my refusal to
50 do brought me into the dispieasure Of
said postmaster, and as a consequences
thereof 1 have been reduced i'm rank in
my employment, That saia reduction in
rank is due 10 the fact that refused to
support candidates which said postmas-
ter requested ] should support.
In addition thereto have come into
the possession Of positive proof that said
postmaster, Benjamin F. Thomas, has not
only been violating the civil service rules
I l.
said Thomas has collected money for POI
lltical purposes from employees Of the
Postoffiee Department and has thereby
violated the United States statutes by ex-
torting political contributions from his
subordinates in the postoffice
II am further ready to tell the proper
authorities where these proofs may be had
II they should want Them / wish fur
ther to state that said Postmaster Thomas
has endeavored, and is still endeavoring
to build up a political machine through
the Postoffice department and that said
Thomas is endeavoring to form political
clubs for the purpose OF perpetuating him
self in his political position.
II wish further 20 state that the EN-
ployes In the Postoffce department in the
city of Omaha, Neb., were compelled to
make political contributions TO said Ben
iamin f. Thomas during the last campaign
and that said employees did make said con-
tributions from fear OF reduction in rank.
Thomas Boasts of Pail.
Il wish further to state that am writ
ing this statement to the Civil Service
commission rather than to the Postoffice
department for the reason that the said
Postoffice department has paid no atten-
ton to former communications which have
been made by other persona to said Post
office department concerning the per
nicious political activity OF Postmaster
Thomas, and for the further reason that
the said Postmaster Thomas has repeatedly
said that he is completely protected from
investigation by reason of his political and
secret society pull, and by reason Of the
fact that he is the president of the State
Postmasters' association OF Nebraska.
Il wish further TO say that this COM
muncation is written to you for the bene-
fit Of the service of the Postoffice de-
partment OF the United States and that
am willing TO furnish full information
to substantiate this statement
II wish further to state that other en-
ployes OF the Postotfice department In
the city Of Omaha, Neb, are afraid to
make a similar complaint for fear OF los
ing their positions. or OF being arbitrarily
reduced in rank, but wish to further state
that the said employees will give full in
formation to the Civil Service commits
sion, II being assumed, however, that the
Civil Service commission will protect them
from any undue punishment which might
be rendered on the part OF the said Post
master BENJAMIN f. Thomas
Il sincerely trust that you will give this
communication your attention and that you
will call upon me to substantiate these
charges Very respectfully years.
DAN W. TILLOTsON,
'22Ol Fowler avenue, Omaha, Douglas
county. Nebraska"
Mr.. Thomas went 10 Lincoln Friday
morning. II was said at his office that he
would make a statement concerning tbs