The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-12
Burleson Thinks Merit
Tests Also Should Be
Required.
PRIZES SOUGHT
BY DEMOCRATS
Former Executives Act in Plac.
ing $4,000 Third and Fourth
Class Postmasters in Classi-
fed Service Is Considered
by President Wilson and
Postmaster General.

W dSHibtS WI,
Wilson had n two-hours meeting with
his Cabinet to-day. in which general
policies governing the organization of
the various departments were outlined
and few minor appointments dis
cussed
The President declared after the
meeting that merely routine matters
had been taken up. He. added that he
regarded Cabinet meetings rs IL clear
inE house for the handling of details
Members OF the Cabinet were reti-
cent AS to what had taken place inti-
mating that 4 general statement Gov
ering the business of the meeting
might be prepared later. One of the
Cabinet officials stated that the Presi-
dent had not taken up with them the
question of what legislation he should
recommend to Congress.
ostmaster-Gcneral Burleson, who re-
NAMED with the President for some
time after the Cabinet meeting. later
gave his opinion of Mr.. Taft's order
placing $4,000 third and fourth class
rostmastcrs In the classified service.
TIE policy OF the administration
toward that order has not been deter
mined said MIR. BuFleson. PERSONALLY
| am in sympathy with it, but do not
believe 1t went far enough in that
many men retained Office for political
reasons, instead of having to pass a
test of merit, which should have been
required"
Subject of Comment.
The Postmaster- Generals declara-
ton was subject TO some comment. as
the third and fourth h-class postmaster
ships are the prizes sought by thou
sands of Democrats throughout the
country Those who heard him make
the statement were not certain that
he meant to convey the idea that the
faft order would not be rescindcd. and
that new order would be promulgated
which would require the merit test.
Before the Cabinet assembled at II
o'clock this morning for a long ses-
sion the President received a large
number of visitors, some on business
and the others to pay respects. Sec
retary Garrison. of the war Depart
ment was the first visitor, being with
Henry w. Dooley. tine Democratic ma
tonal committeeman from Porto Rico
Porto Ricnn appointments were dis
cuSscd
y visit to the White House to-day
by Senators Lodge and Smoot, Repub-
licans, and Stone, Democrat, excited
some speculation All three are mem
bers OF the Senate Finance Committee
II was learned that the three Senators
feel that an injustice has been done
Thaddeus Sharretts, a member OF the
I'o'i" VI ''eneEtt Appraisers or New
York by his dismissal by President
TAFT just as Air. Taft was leaving the
White House. and they wished Presi-
dent Wilson TO reconsider the dismis-
sal.
y special commission appointed by
President TAFT TO Investigate charges
against several members of the Board
OF Appraisers worked for weeks in an
investigation, and reported adversely
10 Mr.. Sharretts and Roy II. Chamber
lain. President Taft, the night before
he went out OF office, sent letters TO
the two men dismissins them from
mar positions. on the ground that
they had been guilty of malfeasance.
Shurretts Denied Charge.
The specific charge against MIR. Shar-
retts, which he denied was that he
had used his official position To com
pei the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to
stop trains at a small town in Mary
land. where he had n summer home. Alr.
SharrettS has many strong friends who
feel that he has been wronged Pres
idcnt Wilson. after listening TO the
statements of the visitors referred
them to Secretary McAdoo, and they
went to the Treasury Department. for :,
conferences with the secretary.
The President referred n number of
his senatorial callers to department
heads during the day. breaking in on
the senatorial View as TO some of the
prcroGativcs belonging to that body.
Senator Johnston and Representative
Eichardson Of Alabama. called regard
ing the post offices at Decatur and New
Decatur, in Mr.. Richardson's district
Nearly two Years ago the two post
offices were consolidated by President
TAFT An appeal by Mr.. Richardson
caused the order to he changed Post
mastcr-General Hitchcock issued am
other order Of consolidation the last of
March. and that WAS held up on re-
quest. MIR. Richardson declared that
the people of tho two towns want sen
arate post offices. The President sent
them TO Postnas ster-Gencral Surlcson
Senator Mark Smith, OF Arizona took
up with the President the filling OF the
Arizona Federal judeoship. Ever since
Arizona was made "A State the people
have been without the machinery of a
Federal district courv. President Taft
nominated former Governor sloan as
judge, but both the Democratic SEN
ators, Smith and Ashurst. prevented his
contirmaton. Now they want n Demo
crat as judge. Senator Smith present
cd the name OF w. II. Sawtelc, The
President sent his visitor 10 the De-
partment of Justice.
Senator Smith, OF South Carolina. to
see about small place for a constit-
uent; Senator Bacon. OF Georgia: SEN
ator Tiilman, of South Carolina, and
Senator Lea. of Tennessee TO pay re-
spects. and Senator Gore, of Oklahoma,
for conference. were callers to-day.
Formal Reception.
The Judiciary of the United states
Court OF Customs Appeals, the Gem
merce Court and the Court OF Appeals
OF the District or Columbia was re-
celvcd by the President al 80 O'Clock
this afternoon IN the Red Room OF the
White House.
a bound book descriptive OF the his
toric sites lin Washington was to-day
presented 10 the Prcsidcat by w r.
Van Wicilc. chairman of tho sub
committee on historic sites Of the In :