The Washington times., 1914-09-30
POSTAL INSPECTORS
Y. FEAR A SHAKE-UP
Letters Inquiring About Politics
of Officials of Service
Causes Alarm.

Fears of wholesale shake-up in the
force of postoffice inspectors through
out the country have been inspired by
letters sent broadcast. with the approval
of Chief Inspector John W. Johnston,
inauiring the politics of officials and
employees oc this branch OF the service.
We want to know the politics of the
inspectors as a matter of information,
Chief Inspector Johnston said today
There is no other purpose in this
move
Postoff1ce inspectors in the Chicago
district were the first TO receive letters
from the inspector in charge of that
division. Objection was made by many
Of these inspectors to being compelled
10 answer such questions. Many of the
inspectors were appointed under former
adnnnistra tions. some through the in
fluence of Speaker Cannon. who is now
n candidate for reelection to Congress.
Gave His Approval.
These letters were sent out by the
inspector in charge at Chicago" Chief
Inspector Johnston said today. ''and not
by the Postoffice Department. 1t was
done, however, with my approval, and
] expect to receive reports from the in
spectors-in-charge containing the infor-
nation desired
Chief Inspector Johnston was en-
phatic in declaring that no 'shake-up"
was intended, or that the politics of
the employees would be used against
them.
Republican members of Congress
smiled when apprised of the action of
the Postoffice Department.
Here is the situation. said one
member. In filling fourth class post
masterships. Democratic Congressman
have, in instances where Republican
applicants stood at the head of the list
after civil service examination. rejected
these names and recommended for ap-
pointment Democrats who stood lower
on the list. Where Republican MEM
bers have protested postoffice inspec-
Tors have been sent to make investiga-
tions.
Favored Certain Appointments.
In many cases the reports of these
inspectors have favored the appoint
ment OF the Republican candidates who
were not recommended. Pressure
brought to bear by the Democratic Con-
gressmen has induced the Postoffice
Department in many instances TO dis
regard the reports of these inspectors.
supporting the Republican APPLICANT. and
TO name the Democrat turned down by
the inspector.
The Postoffice Department desires
to be removed from the embarrassment
of overrulinc the report of a postoffice
inspector. and they want to know the
VI hiSpSSlOlS iDe right man
can be picked for political jabs That's
the explanation of the whole thing
we nave many requests for investi-
cations from members of Congress.
Mr.. Johnston said. in which il is i'm
portant there should be no political bias
shown. frequently in such cases Con-
Eressmen have asked concerning the no.
ht.csl ahiliatfon of the inspector or in
spectors that would be detailed to the
case. have been unable to answer
these questions. and I wish to obtain
this Information
In many cases of charges of viola
ton Of civil service rules inspectors
from this office have been sent out
with inspectors of the Civil Service
Commission. This has been done to
make certain that no consideration o.
Political bias could enter.
Under Civil Service.
'Postoffice inspectors, Mr.. Johnston
continued, ARE appointed under the
civil service. They hold their positions
strictly on merit Their political affili-
atoms have nothing TO do with their
tenure of office.
We want to know the politics of the
inspectors" Mr.. Johnston repeated, as
a matter of information
Asked IL any letters OF this character
had been sent to the postoffice inspec-
tors of the Washington division, Mr.
Johnston referred his questioner to II.
T. Gregory, postoffice inspector in
charge. Mr.. Gregory was out of the
city, and his assistants would not dis
cuss the case.