The Washington herald., 1911-04-02
WILL INVESTIGATE
DEMOTION ORDER
Continued from Page One.

the case, but 1 can say that we (mean-
ing the Michigan delegation to Congress)
would like to know why he was relegated
to subordinate position. I understand
Mr.. Grant was a most reliable and eff
cient superintendent, and it is rather
strange he should have been reduced"
Several weeks ago." Mr.. Townsend
added, Il went to Postmaster General
Hitchcock and asked him if Mr.. Grants
work was satisfactory. ] was assured
it was, and no more was said. On Fri
day night the Postmaster General places
him grades lower in the service. / do
not understand it, but I intend to find
out why it was done
Senator Townsend was loath to express
his thoughts ON the subject and the facts
that were CLEANED came after much per-
Suasion. He intimated that the entire
Michigan delegation was incensed over
the demotion of Mr. Grant. but would
not say so in as many words.
May BE n Reflection.
1t is understood that Mr.. Grant was
pushed" to the front by the Senators
and Representatives OF that State. and
when he fails to make good it Is a re-
Election on them.
Mr.. Grant accepted his fate with much
grace. He called on Mr.. Hitchcock early
yesterday morning and expressed his
perfect Willingness to go to 81. Paul as
a division manager He told Mr.. Hitch
cock that he understood the entire situa-
ton and was willing tc abide by the
decisions of his chief as a soldier obeys
IN" commands Of a superior officer
Mr.. Hitchcock. in an interview with
reporter for The Washington Herald yes
tcrday afternoon. said Mr.. Grant had ac-
cepted the St. Paul work without sim
gle thought of hard feelings. and he con
graduated M. Grant on his bearing.
There is nothing in the world personal
against Mr.. Grant" said Mr.. Hitchcock.
but for the good Of the service I re
iuced him in rank.
M. Grant when interviewed. said he
knew nothing OF tho effort being made
to have him reinStatcd in the rank he
formerly held. and further said he had
mad" ARRANGEMENTS TO leave Washington
In d few days.
lie was sworn into his new Office yes
tcrday morning 10y Theodore W7ecd. chief
clerk Of the P"St-"iticc department At
the same tine Thcodor" Ingalls,, who sue
by Mr. Weed. Mrs. Ingalls, also was
present
Postmaster General Hitchcock said his
Investigations, leading I" the dcmotion
Of nearly A dozen executive heads al
ready. WAS not Yet completed. although
\" wOuld not admit more dcmotions were
likely.
4 am working for the good Of the
service" Nr. Hitchcock declared. "and
my personal Investigations may take me
fIrthCr-hOw far | cannot say will
leav" no stone untTrncd TO give tho peo-
PIE Of this country tho best railway mail
service possible"
II" is confident he has taken tho right
course in reducing the men affected by
his sweeping order. and contents himself
with saying that he wants no criticism
OF his course until the public has had d
chance TO So" whether tho service has
been improved
Will Not Back Down.
Mr.. Htchenck has no idea OF backing
down on the radical step he has taken
HN believes he has worked for the best
interests as he secs them. and threats OF
Congressional investigation into his or
dcrs do not affect him in the least.
Tho status of tho railway mail cerks'
with tho Federation Of Labor
has not changed. although declared in
!mlcal To the best service" by Second
Assistant Postmaster General Stewart
Frank Morrison secretary of the Amer
lCan Federation OF Labor said last night
that the clerks had already organized TO
a certain extent but as the society was
not Of the secret brand. Mr.. Stewart nor
any OF the department officials could OBJ
l4tf n h iE nYNfr