Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-05-28
Charges 1t Surrendered to
Corporation Influence in
p. O. Appropriation.
GIVES SHOT FOR SHOT
IN COMMITTEE PROBE
Fourth Postmaster Admits
Trying to Defeat Admin
istration Measure.
VXIAsHINGToN, May 81. James

VX1AsHINGToN, May 27.- James
" /. Blakeslee, fourth assistant
postmaster general, told members of
the senate postoffice committee at n
hearing today that he believed their
course in framing amendments to the
annual postoffice appropriation bill
constituted a surrender to railroad
influence.
His declaration brought a storm of
protest and counter of LOBBY
ing from committee members. BiakeS-
lee hotly defended his efforts to de-
feat the amendment into which the
senators were inquiring. No acton
was taken, but an executive session ol
the committee will be held Monday to
determine what course shall be pur-
sued.
Slandcrcd Them.
Members of the committee declared
they had been slandered by the post
office official and intimated that the
matter might be brought officially 10
the attention of President wilson
II is understood Postmaster-G
Burlesons appearance before the
committee will be sought later To
bring the matter to his attention.
Blakeslee said he had acted without
Mr. Burleson's authority IN urging
postmasters of many cities TO oring
pressure to bear on their representa-
lives in congress to defeat the senate
amendments Some senators, now
ever. wish to ask the head of the post
office department whether he ap-
proves the action of his subordinate
Were Inccnscd.
Senators Vardaman, Martin and
Hardwick were particularly incenseo
NV Mr.. Blakeslee's statements. Varda-
man and Martin declared they couio
not cDuntenance such an attack ever
though they had not been in COM
plete sympathy with the amendments
under discussion.
BIakeslee was called to explain iet
ters urging postmasters at lnuiahap
oils, Louisville ana IL otlei nond
protest to congress against amehu
ments to the postoffice bill, particu
Iarlv with relation to the rural maj
service, which he directs and to IN
railway mail pay feature. IN IN
latter connection Blakeslee charged
in his letter that the committee ha'
made a complete surrender 10 'h
railroads.
Would Injurc People.
Blakeslee admitted re had writteel
the letters, but maintained that n
did not directly charge senator's WIT
surrender to the railroads. lie sald !
was his opinion, however. that thel
action would be injurious to the IN
terests of the people and showed ina
the contentious of the railroads ma
been accepted. other than the adNlc
of the department. lie contehde
that he had right as citizen l
endeavor to defeat the committee
plans.
Senator Hardwick vehement
charged that Blak eslee's letters wer
slanderous and tina. his actiVitle
were worse than those of the suSa
lobby. which was investigated by cor
gress several years ago.
Senator Vardaman asserted tht
Blakcslee's course was offensive l
senators and offensive to the senate
Senator MARITIME declared 1t wa
"ungenerous and utterly and absolute
" discourteous."
Senator Bankhead. chairman OF tf
committee. said he did not know wh'
would be done. The postmaster-gei
eral. he said. already had write
the committee that he had no know
ledge of Blakeslee's alleged lobby.