The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-05-07
SENDS LETTER TO PRESIDENT
IN BEHALF OF RITcHIE
COUNTY VETERAN.
Also Introduces Bill PROVIDING For
surveys OF West Virginia Rivers
Looking TO Flood Prevention.
(6y Charles Brook, SMITH

WASHINGTON. u. &. MAY 6
Many n veteran fourth class postmas-
ter IN West Virginia Is expected Ia
TALL before the examinations which
nave been ordered for June In that
tate. Many moi will decline to take
the examination. believeing that they
are too old and would not be able TO
pass. As a result OF these examina-
tons there will be "A large number OF
men thrown out OF positions In which
they have become efficient by long
years OF experience Many OF them
are old men. but are still capable OF
doing the work satisfactorily although
unable TO pass an examination. and
probably too advanced in years to
take IN and learn another business
from which TO gain their support.
\ sample case IL that OF George NJ.
Douglass for many years postmaster
at Petroleum. Richie county. II was
his case which appealed TO R%epresen-
tatiye Sutherland. and caused him to
address President Wilson about ~ I'm
a letter OF which The following Is a
partial copy
My attention has been called 10
the case OF Mr.. George - Douglass.
postmaster at Petroleum. West Nir.
Einia. who. by reason Of his age. IL
barred from participating In the ex-
animation which will be held for the
office Of postmaster at Petroleum on
June goth next
Mr. Douglass f. now 81 years OF
age. and has been postmaster at Pc
troieum for many years. He r. n vet
eran ~ the civil Wa and. on
~ injuries received In line OF duty.
he If nov totally unit for
labor \ ecord Of his service and
disabilities H. now on hle IN the Office
Or the Commissioner Of Pensions !
have examined into the case very care.
fully. and while MIR Douglass IL unit
- AHH - 60 - -
fully qualified 20 perform NJ duties
~ the onice he now holds. am en-.
closing r. letter received by me from
Rev. p p Clelland attesting TO this
fact
"tt L. nv information that Mr.
Douglass can obtain nO relief. except
by an executive order. and the pur.
pose 81 his communication II 20 urge
that such an order DO issued. and this
old soldier be- allowed to retain his
present position
IL seems Co me that this great o
eminent can AFFORD 10 take care 90 the.
men who fought 90 bravely IN its Do
tense Tho once In question De- a
fourth-class once. and The compensa
lion iq not large. but such ~ ~ m. ~
means q great deal 10 his man
The examination method % select
Ing postmaeters for the fourth class
vas devised by me present admins
NNNNINN 10 iNMNfN NNf order
issued hv President Taft putting these
pOstmastprs under civil service. ny "
thousands 81 these small positions
would bc open 20 the supporters 81
tho political party n In power ~
was. and suii IL. believed
Flood Prevention.
tn conformity with a report made by
n COMMITTEES Of engineers on food pre-
ventlon. Representative Sutherland
has introduced q bill In the House pro.
viding fdf the survey % the Mononaa
hela and Cheat rivers In West Nirrinia
and Pennsylvania the Tygarts Valley
river. tho West Fork. tho Little Ka.
v ha. tho kanawha and their trihu
tarloa in West Virginia. 10 be made
under Tho direction 81 tho chief onrf. F,
ncer ~ tho War Department. With a
view 10 tho Improvement % naviaa. /
and Hood control confederation
being given ~ Co. cooperation on tho part
~ state or other local interests in &C..