The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-16
WILSON IN TANGLE
OYER W0OING CRITIC
President Orders Burkitt Re-
instated: Department Bun
giles Matter.
SOME HEADS IN DANGER
No Final Action, Says Roper.
After Presidents "UncOn-
ditiOnal" Order.
SOME HEADS IN DANGER

WASHINGTON. Nov. I5.--President VIII
son took emphatic action to-day In tho
case Of George Burkitt. assistant post
master AT winnetka, ILL.,. who was dis
missed because Of remarks made by him
crtticising the Presidents engagement to
marry Mrs. Norman Gait. The Presi-
dent at first ordered that Burkltt be re-
loyalty to the President was the only
reason for his dismissal This WAS fol-
lowed later by the announcement that
tho President had ordered Burkitt re-
stored to the assistant postmastership
Internationally.
In the meantime. however. the Pos;
Offlce Department had issued a state
ment IN which Assistant Postmaster
General Roper declared that tho De-
partment's action was not based upon
criticisms of the Presidents intention to
remarry. Mr.. Roper contended that
other charges had received primary con-
sideration and that Burkitt's remarks
were simply an incident which alone
would not have been sufficient ground
for his removal"
Mr. Roper made the surprising state
ment that fnal action had not been
taken IN the case. that the matter was
under Investigation and that In the mean
time MIR. Burkitt stands suspended"
Up to a late hour Tonight no formal
statement had been Issued by the Post
Offica Department regarding the rres-
dents second order for an uncondiiiona.
reinstatement. but It was said that the
Presidents instructions would of course
DE followed IN the case.
some Men May I.osc Jobs.
The handling Of the Burktt case has
resulted in "a mudde which is deplored
by the Presidents friends. Mr.. Wilson
has been greatly annoyed by Il and IL
would not De surprising II some Of
hcial heads fall into the basket as "a
result of the incident.
The situation was not improved so far
as Post Office Department officials are
concerned by the days developments
There are statements In Mr.. koper's for
NAL announcement to-day which do not
seem to jibe with those contained In the
original correspondence.
Administration officials were early
aroused to the advisability OF taking
immediate action and a conference be-
tween President Wilson and Secretary
Tumuity was followed by the announce
ment that Mr. Wilson had directed the
reinstatement Of Burkitt n the charge
OF disloyalty TO thc President was the
real reason fog his dismissal. II APP
parently Was after II became evident
that the Post office Department was
going to investigate the case further
that tn" second statement came from
the White House announcing that Bur-
kit would be Internationally restored.
Friends of the President emphasized
the fact that the action 10y the Post
Otlice Depart nent had been taken en-
iirely without President Wilson's knowl-
edge and the first lie knew OF the Incl
dent Was when he read of Il In the
papers.
statement of Mr.. Roper,
This is the statement issued by Mr..
Roper
The practice Of the Post once De
partnncnt is to throw every precaution
against publicity in discipline cases,
a. IT is not intended that any dere-
lict employees shall be prosecuted, but
when the employe" involved DELHI
eTately gives notoriety to his cas-. arl
publishes his version of II ii some
times becomes necessary. AS in the
instance OF the assistant postmaster
AZ Winnetka, H., in order that the
public may DE fully advised of all the
conditions and circumstances which
prompted the departments action for
the Department to make public the
facts in the ease,
Numerous charges were preferred
against Assistant Postmaster Burkitt.
and IT is understood that all these
have been duly pre- sented to him by
the postmaster In accordance with the
civil service rules and organizations.
Some Of the charges are IN substance
, AS follows
Removal from the official time hook
in the Wnnetka office of his time
record as assistant postmaster cover
ing the period from September, 1913.
To January II, 1914, without author
ity. This offence he also admitted and
upon demand returned the time sheets,
and his efficiency record was charged
with $50 dement's. These time sheets
| clearly show that he was taking time
Off in excess of his annual vacation, to
which he was not entitled by law.
ON to Demonstrate Automobile.
Absence from the Office demonstrate
| ing an automobile during the absence
! of the postmaster on March l3, 1918,
| when it was imperative for him to re-
main in the ONCE. tie admitted this
offence and his efficiency record was
/ charged with 100 demeritS.
Improper forwarding of mail. AZ
| evidenced by complaints from patrons,
which was also brought TO his atten-
tion and for which ne was demerited.
Very unsatisfactory service aud in
| efficiency, AZ evidenced by corrections
made BY the Post Office Depa tment
on seven monthly reports regarding
| postal savings transactions. showing
| that every item in these reports re-
garding the number OF transactions
was incorrect.
on one occasion when he was re-
auired certain hours, the postmaster
| declares he became very imperti-
| nent and demanded of the postmaster
his authority for making the assign
| ment This constituted deliberate in
subordination. which in itself was suf-
f,cient ground for his removal.
The postmaster states that the as
sistant is too much interested in out
side affairs. including an oil agency,
to take care of his duties properly in
the post office The postmaster also
states that he WAS obliged TO stop the
use of the post office by the assist
ant postmaster in connection with
the oil agency.
The postmaster concludes his state
ment of charges as follows;