The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-12-07
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

NASHlNUIUN CURRESfUNUENtE
Washington, Dec Especial Cor
experimentation Burkitt, once,
and now once more, assistant post
master at Winnetka, ILL.,, has had
kind of -again-on-a gain-gone-
again. innegan" experience. He was
dismissed from the postal service for,
having said that the presidents sec
ond marriage was indelicately sudden.
He tried to secure hearing from the
postmaster general and was turned
down. He published the correspond
ence in the newspapers. He was or
dered reinstated within twenty-four
hours.
This doubtless closes the incident SO
far as concerns Burkitt and his job.
But the episode has brought about
renewal of comment over the presi-
dents courtship and marriage which
has caused no little irritation at the
White House, where great pains have
always been taken to minimize gossip
on this particular topic. The presi-
dents attention to Mrs. Gait have been
no secret here in Washington for
many months No one here was es-
pecially surprised when the engage
ment was announced; and the only
comment which the capital vouch-
safed was in line with that for which
Burkitt lost his job.
A few western newspapers had dealt
with the subject in like vein; the wo-
men of Idaho-where women vote
had been polled with a similar express
sion of opinion and the girls of
western university had held a meeting
and resOluted to the same effect. But
the subject was no longer exciting in
terest, even privately, and was in
fair way to disappear altogether, when
suddenly up hobs Burkitt's boss, As
sistant stmaster-General Roper,
with an official letter which has set
all tongues to wagging again and with
accelerated force.
The news broke here on Sunday, and
the correspondents became Immediate
Iy active. At the White House it was
said that nothing was known about the
matter. Postmaster-GeneralB urleson
refused to say anything. But Mr.. Ro-
per talked with some freedom and
seemed to think he had in some way
befriended the president in firing Bur-
kit Tumulty, however, had no such
illusions and, as soon as he had given
the situation the once over, he prompt
ly proceeded to announce Burkitt's re-
instatement "by instructions of the
president"
So far as Burkitt is concerned that
ended it, But it did not end the COS
sip. No, indeed. That is still going
on, with the concensus III Burkitt's
favor by a large majority.
Postmaster General Burleson has
been recognized as the active political
personality in the present cabinet, and
he has lately furnished additional evil
dence that he is on the job.
Just as it became clear that the
democrats in congress were about to
show defiance to their masters voice
from the White House, Mr.. Burleson
fastened to publish list of first,
where presidential postmasters have
not been appointed since March 4,
1913" The list is imposing, compris-
ng some 1,400 places and taking in
every state.
There is no doubt here regarding
Mr.. Burleson's purpose in publishing
the list just now 1t is generally be-
heved that he is dangling a bait hook
before the democratic congressman
who are showing signs of independ-
enCe from the White House control.
Tie list is looked upon as at once a
menace and an appeal In effect Mr.
Burleson says to democratic congress
meni Here is the pie which is not
yet distributed. You can see how
much your share should be- If you
are good, you will get it. If you are
not good, it will be withheld
National preparedness and national
revenues are two problems that go
hand in hand
"The democratic administration pro-
poses the one, when it has utterly
failed to solve the other"
These are conclusions reached by
Representative Frederick H. Gillett of
Massachusetts, ranking minority mem
Der of the appropriations committee.
HEE!K.H!h.H!K.h.H!h!h.h!Ki!Ki.hi!KiFiEi.F