The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-05-01

Hitchcock is building up by means
postoffice department is in line for
an investigation by the democratic
house. Behind the apparently routine
resolution of Representative Saun-
ders, Virginia democrat, calling for
an investigation of the methods of
this department, is well-laid plan
TO probe deep into the machine-build-
ing activities of the postmaster gen
eral.
The democratic house has determin-
ed upon a number of investigations
of the various departments, but it IS
admitted that there Is no one depart
ment in the government service where
the searchlight will he turned on
with more pleasure than in the post
office department, presided over by
the former chairman of the national
republican campaign committee.
For many months there have been
reports that Mr.. Hitchcock, with an
eye to 1872, has been quietly laying
his plans for the capture of dele
gates, particularly in the south. That
the democrats are aware that the
pOstonice department may well be
put under the probe is indicated by
the sweeping terms of the Saunders
resolution. which the virginia mem
Der has introduced only after a care
full investigation of conditions in his
own state, and conference with 9th
er democrats who have seen the
growth of the machine in their own
sections.
The Saunders resolution, which is
different from all other resolutions
asking for investigation, goes to the
root of the question by asking:
Whether postmasters throughout the
country, first-class and otherwise, are
giving the proper attention to their
Offices.
Whether it is not a fact that many
of these postma sters accept their
trust from the government as 4
side line" to be conducted in con
nection with private business.
Whether it is true that many post
masters spend much of their time
campaigning for the republican cause,
to the detrment of official business.
For what reason various postOffces
have been discontinued or moved,
upon orders from Washington, with
out consulting the wishes of the pat
rons of the office.
The Saunders resolution authorizes
the house committee on postoffices
and post-roads to begin an investiga.
tion of these and a number of kin
dred matters. The investigation Of
this committee will be conducted in
dependent of others that concern the
administration of Postmaster General
Hitchcock, now under fire because
pOstOniCc employees have been re-
fused permission to organize into
unions, or to affiliate themselves vita
the American Federation OF Labor
Under Eye Of Democrats.
Mr. Saunders and other house dem
ocratS feel that, under the eyes Of
the democratic house. the willy post
master general is putting in order
political machine, the full force
of which will be felt when the re
publicans come to nominate a candi-
date for president next year.
Not only that, but it is claimed
that the service is being crippled.
1t is claimed that in many towns
men are named for postmas,ers who
have private businesses that require
all their time 1t is openly charged
by Mr. Saunders that in his own
state. Virginia there are men hold
ing commissions as postmasters at
important Offices. who spend praC-
tiCally no time at their governmental
duties. The real WORK, it is alleged,
is lett to subordinates, while the
politician-postmasterS, secure in the
knowledge that they can deliver a
certain number of delegates when
the time arrives, content themselves
with looking after other matters.
II IS claimed that the postmaster
general has named for the office Of
postmaster. bankers, lawyers, mer-
chants and others who regard their
allegiance to the postal service as
secondary to their own private inter
ests. Ii is claimed that these poll
ician-postmasters show great activity
in organizing their friends in support
Of the republican cause jnat they are
Chairmen of county or city republican
committees, and that much Of the
time is spent in campaigning.
How much time do these postmaSt-
ers spend upon personal vacations.
and how mugh in SDppthmal,inC and