Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-20
PeeItc4 IN
Pe~~04eOo~i"
BY the Ex-Committeeman

Dismissal of DR.. George w. Nc
Neil as postmaster of Pittsburgh bids
fair to cause the biggest row known
in Western Pennsylvania Democratic
politics in years. 1t is charged that
the postmaster was dropped because
he had incurred the anger of National
Committeeman A. Mitchell Palmer
and mad refused to do some things
which Assistant Postmaster General
James 1. Blakslee hoped to have
done. The fact that Alexander Guffey,
brother of Joseph NJ. Guffey, the
Democratic public utility man who is
Democratic boss of Allegheny patron
age, was named for the place is also
considered significant
Mcneil was appointed as a surprise,
it being intimated that he was a per-
sonal friend of the President and when
he took Office there were intimations
that the Democratic bosses would bide
their time and get him" The dis
was in Washington, scheduled to make
big speech at the postmasters' con-
Vention.
The Pittsburgh Gazette Times
says that Postmaster Mcneil refused
drew on himself the wrath of the
bosses. 1t says in part: The i'm
preston prevailing in Pittsburgh
among leading Democrats who have
been in touch with the efforts being
made to influence Mr.. Mcneil to make
political appointments in the post
Office is that he is being removed be-
cause he would not play politics to
the extent those in control of the
Democratic State and county ma
chimes desired. When Mr.. Mcneil was
appointed postmaster or Pittsburgh,
largely through the efforts of George
w. Guthrie, ambassador to Japan,
County Chairman Guffey wanted his
brother named. Finding that he could
not succeed in getting the appoint
ment, he agreed to the selection of
Mr.. Mcneil, who did not seek the
office. Since the appointment of Mr..
Mcneil last December, numerous ef-
forts have been made by the Demo-
cratic county organization TO have de-
motions and promotions made in the
service. In cases where Postmaster
Mcneil thought 1t would be unfair and
in violation of the civil service laws to
act, he refused to comply. This led
to friction: The postmaster also re-
fused to try to influence the post
Office employees in the matter of voting
in the primary election of last May.
His friends believe that these things
and not questions of the conduct of
his office brought about his removal.
1t is reported that some OF the political
changes were recommended" from
Washington and the refusal of the
postmaster to comply could be con-
strued as failure to cooperate with
the department in carrying out its
instructions" The two division plan
is not considered as the real reason"
The recent raids by police in
Philadelphia have been followed by
the stopping of gambling and charges
are made this morning by some of
the Philadelphia newspapers that the
higher officials knew of conditions
some time ago and did not act until
some exposes were about to be made.
The North American. which has been
| friendly to the Smith administration,
says that the police officers who got
into trouble over the raids will not
be seriously affected and the Demo-
cratic Record demands the resignation
of Director w. H. Wilson.
&C. A. Loose, of Reading. who be-
came Prohibition candidate for Con-
gress in the Berks-Lehigh district be-
cause someone wrote his name on a
ballot yesterday found out he was a
candidate. A newspaperman told
him.
Charges regarding jumping" OF
men in the Philadelphia city civil
service are made by the North Amer
lean to-day. An investigation is de-
manded.
The Philadelphia Inquirer to-day
says that much attention has been at
| tracted by the suggestion of Clinton
Rogers Woodruff that the proposed
new city charter shall contain a pro-
vision for a city manager. The new
city charter proposition is not relish
ed, by the city administration especially
as Woodruff is taking an active part
in its discussion.
"A. Nevin DIETRICH said yesterday
that he had received word that Fred
! Brenckman, of Carbon county, one OF
the Washington candidates ror Con-
| gress-at-large would withdraw
! One of the interesting things
about the Democratic electoral list for
| this State is that the Presidents list
was day late and the vIce-president's
list was not sworn to. If It had hap
pened to be pair of Republican lists
there would have been an awful fuss
made in some quarters.
\ Reports were current to-day that