Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-08
Burleson, After Conference
With President, Issues an
Order Affecting Those I'M
the Fourth Class.
WILSON CONSIDERS
SOME APPOINTMENTS
Senator j. Ham Lewis Ex-
poets to Secure Positions
for Illinois Men; Wants
Younger Commanders.

Washington, D. c.. May AFTER =
conference with President Wilson to-
day. Postmaster General Burleson an
nounced that an executive order would
be issued requiring that all fourth
class postmasters now in office, or
candidates for prospective appoint.
ments, should be subjected to coln-
petitive examination to determine
their fitness for the office.
The postmaster general issued !
statement explaining the purpose Of
the new executive order. declaring
that President Taft's action in putting
the fourth class postmasterships In
the classified service was not suffi-;
cient and that the mere placing OF 8
great horde of persons" In the classi-
fled service was not in conformity
with the spirit of the civil service 40
there were not tests to determine the
merits Of the applicants. The order
places the age limits for appointees
at 65 years.
Mr.. Burleson said In his discussion
the order indicates that the Wilson
administration to take the fourth class
pOstmasters, out OF politics, hut pointa
out that democrats az we'll - repub-
licans will have an opportunity under
competitive examinations to show
their fitness.
Plan to Take In other Classes.
Postmaster General Burleson am
nounced today that 1t was the purpose
OF President Wilson and himself to
70 10 ~ %r. tl1 olo
ably during the next year, all post
classes. Fourth class Offices already
have been covered by executive orders.
ADD POSTM
To Continue Sans Policy.
The United States will continue the
policy adopted In the last administra-
1tion Of permitting the shipment of
arms from this county into Mexico for
use by the Huerta government, pro.
vided officials here are sure such arms
will not fall into the hands OF tho
rebels.
This became known at the state de-
partment today when inquiry was
made as to what action was proposed
on the claim made In New Orleans by
Erneste Fernandez y Arteaga, repre-.
sentative Of the constitutionalists that
Huerta Is not entitled to immunities
under the American neutrality laws
which are not afforded the constitu-
tionalist governments represents
tives. His protest against the ship
ment Of 1000 rifles and 100000 cart
ridges to Mexico on a vessel now at
New Orleans has not yet reached the
state department. Its receipt will
cause no change in policy on the part
of the present administration.
Senator Lewis ls Hopeful.
President Wilson gave most OF his
time today to consultations with mems.
bers Of congress concerning appoint,
ments. His longest conference was
with Senator J. Hamilton Lewis. who
said afterward that 1t seemed certain
Irving Shuman would have q post in !,
the treasury department, possibly asi
comptroller Of the currency, and that
H. M Pindell OF Peoria probably
could have diplomatic post. Senator
Lewis indorsed Ira N Morris ana
Charles J. Vopeka for European dip
lomatic posts.
The entire New Jersey delegation
In congress indorsed Cornelius ].
Ford, president OF the state fedora
tion Of labor of New Jersey, for pub
lie printer. The president gave no
definite assurance as to whom hs
would appoint.
Want Younger Commanders.
The navy league sent committee
to call upon President Wilson today
and present resolutions favoring the
movement for younger fleet COM
manders, a council OF national defense
and consistent and progressive build
ing program.
Governor O'Neal of Alabama.
Colonel Robert M. Thompson and
Perry Belmont were on the committee.
Declines to Supply Papers.
Attorney General McReynolds today
declined to send to the senate cor
respondence between the state depart
ment and the department Of justice In
regard to the settlement Of the
Brazilian coffee valorizati0n scheme.
because incompatible with the public
interests = He did, however, send
other eapers ON the subject.