The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-12
ORDER TO SELECT
HIGHEST ON LIST
Ruling of Post-Officc Department
Causes Concern to Many
Congressman.
OPINIONS DIFFER WIDELY
Representative Watson Gets
First-Hand Information About
Fourth-Class Officers.
OPINIONS DIFFER WIDELY

Fourth-Class Officers.
Especial to Tho Times Diepatcil.l
Washington, February 1.-THE ex-
ecutive order issued by President
Woodrow Wilson on May last direct
Ing that competitive examinations
should be held to secure the most COM
petent postmaster at all the fourth
class officers. tho incumbent postmaster
to take the examination with other an
plicants. is now proving to be veri-
table thorn in the sido of the majority
OF the Virginia Congressman
Opinions differ widely among the
Congressman from different States and
sectors as TO exactly what method
VIII be pursued in selecting tho post
master II ON the list Of three cligibIes
certified By the Civil Service Commits.
SION, ana TO what extent the wishes of
the Congressman representing that dis
trict Will be followed. The situation
became still more muddled after Rem
reseHtative Goodwin OF North Carolina.
spurred to action through receipt
or hundreds OF letters from his
constituents asking what help they
might expect from him. called on
Postnaster-Gener Burleson and was
assured that TO all intent and
purposes the selection OF postmasters
would be made in the same old way."
which was to follow the wishes of the
Congressman, IL he be Democrat
Goodwin promptly told as many OF his
friends In the House as no could reach
OF the good ncwa."
Godwins Information, however. did
not agceo In any way with circular
letters sent out by Postmaster-General
burIeson, declaring that the civil ser
vice rules VIII be strictly adhered 10.
ana tho person making the highest
percentage In the examination will be
appointed postmaster unless good and
sufficient reasons can be given WHY this
VIII net be To the best interests of the
service.
Watson Seeks Information.
Consequently Congressman Walter
watson, OF Virginia. called on Civil
ssrNice Commissioner McIlheny and First
assistant Postmaster-General Roper
to receive frst-hand Information which
would guide his future course in re-
GARD 10 filling the offices and to got
something tangible upon which to base
reply to the hundreds of his con
stituents. who are writing daily in
curing rs to what measure OF help
they can depend upon from him I'm
their efforts to be named postmaster.
The substance OF Commissioner Nc
Il have had several conferences with
Postmaster-G General BurIeson and First
assistant Postmaster-General Rop.r
with regard 10 appointing postmasters
as the result of the Statewide exaui
nations. and we are fully agreed upon
IN. matter. The postmasters arc to be
selected with strict adherence to the
civil servite rules. which means thai
the person standing highest on tho list
OF three eligibles who passed the OK
animation with a rating of 20 per cent
or over. must be appointed postmaster,
unless IL can be shown, first that he
Is not OF good moral character: second
that he is unit physically to hold the
position, and third. that although he
mas made good rating In the ey-
animation. is all that could be desired
morally and physically, yet owing 10
lack OF tact, business ability. even
temperament or some other peculiar
circumstance, would not make as rood
postmaster as another eligible further
down on the list. Any such objections
oy the Congressman or other respon-
sible person should be made in writ
ing
Roper Backs Up Mcnheny.
Judge Watson went directly from
Mcllheny's office TO the Post Office De-
partment, and, Mr.. Burlcson being abb
sent, asked First Assistant Postmaster
General Roper for the desired inforna-
ton. Mr.. Roper prefaced his remarks
with:
Nr watson, there are no secrets in
THIS department. The postmasters will
be selected with close regard for the
civil service regulations" He then
went on to outline the same three rea-
sons for appointing any of those APP
pearing on the list. other than the
hrst named. In practically the same
language employed by Mr.. McIlheny,
corroborating the statement made by
the latter that the two departments
are fully agreed upon the matter"
He interrupted his reply long enough
TO hand Mr.. Watson n copy of letter
directed TO him by Postmaster-Gen-
eral Burleson. which reads rs follows:
office of the Postmaster General,
Washington. d. c.
First Assstant.--In selecting per
sons from the eligible registers fur
nished by the Civil Service Commission
Tor appointment as fourth class post
masters. it is my desire that the per-
son with the highest rating be chosen,
unless good and valid reasons are sub
mitted TO the department showing that
this would not be In the best interests
of the service. If reasons are sub
mitted sufficient to make selection of
the first eligible inadvisa BILE, then IL is
my desire that the person with the
HCHl liSHeSl De cnoSen, unless
good and valid reasons arc submitted
to show the inadvisability of his ap-
pointment. In such case, the third
eligible may be selected.
I'm - case should tho second or
third eligible lie chosen unless tho APP
pointment oil one of the higher stand
ing eligibles has been shown 10 be In
advisable from the standpoint OF the
greatest efficiency in the postal SER
vice.
In reaching conclusions as to the
most desirable appointments, an en-
deavor should be made to select per-
sons whose business and, tcmpera-
mental equipment Is likely 10 reflect
credi, on hospostal service.
('Signed) ~. 5. BURLESON,
Postmaster General"
Purpose OF Burieson's Letter.
Opinions differ among congressman
rs to tho exact purpose of Burleson's
letter. Some say II was purely for