The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-05-31
Politicians Have Ruin
ed 1t, DOna Tells
Federation
WOMEN VOTE
FOR OFFICERS
Mesdames C0wles and
Sheath Only Candi-
dates for Presidency

NEW YORK, May s1.-An appeal
to 1000, 900 American clubwomen to
help take the postoflcs department
out OF politics was made by the civil
service reform leader. Richard
Henry Dana, of Boston, before to-
days session of the Federated Won
ems clubs national convention here
today.
Dana declared the political ap-
pointment system has made the
United States postal service the
poorest and most inefficient in the
world.
The remedy Dana suggested was
to put every postal service Job. from
the four assistant postmaster gener-
alships down to the lowliest carrier
Of a rural route. on competitive
examination basis under strict civil
service rules.
The speaker asserted that more
than 80 per cent of all postmaster
ships paying $1,000 a year or more
are changed with every national ad-
ministration. and that appointees 70
the big assistants jobs In Washing
ton sometimes are changed twice In
an administration. Dana condemned
"the vast majority OF postoffice ap-
pointees" as being either politi
clans or brokendown failures in bus
mess whom some politician desires
TO foist upon the United States for
support, and who almost never knew
or learn anything about the intrica-
cies of the postal service" Dana
declared the recent order that all
postmasters devote all their time to
the postoffice service will only
make their postofiices political
headquarters" He pointed out that
we have had Is acknowledgements
in the last 30 years, and suggested
long-term appointments. He sug-
gested the division OF the country
into postal districts, with a division
superintendent for each one. In.
praising the railway mail service.
Dana said II was efficient only be-
cause II has been under civil service
for years. In concluding. the speak
er declared that, although our postal
service Is 60 years behind that OF
other countries, bills now In con-
gress for its reform are ignored be-
cause the people do not rise up and
demand that the reforms be put
through.
The nominating committee OF the
General Federation OF Women's
clubs. Tuesday. reported to the fed
GRAFTON here the following nomina-
tons of officers for the election to-
day:
For president--Mrs. Josiah Evans
Cowles, Of Los Angeles, and Mrs.
Samuel B. Sheath, Of THIN, o.
For first vice-president-Miss
Georgia A. Bacon. Of Worcester.
Mass, unopposed.
For first vicepresident-Mrs.
Eugene Reilly. Of Charlotte, N. c..
unopposed.
For recording -secretary-Miss
Carrie Mcfarland, Of South Dakota,
and Mrs John A. Ruhl, Of Vast
Virginia
For corresponding secretary--Mrs.
Francis d. Everett. Of Chicago. I'M
opposed.
For treasurer-Mrs. w. B. Young.
Of Florida, and Mrs. Charles H. Mo.
Mahon. of Salt Lake City. Utah.
For auditor-Mrs. William p. Hars
per, Of Seattle. and Mrs. w. X.
James, of Missouri
The report OF the nominations fol-
lowed an address on Politics and
public health" by Gov. Charles 8.
Whitman, who praised the work &C.
complished by the New York state
department Of health in reducing
the death rate In this state.
The only nominations offered from
the floor were: BY the Oklahoma
delegation--Mrs. Eugene p. Lawton,
of Oklahoma, for second vice-presi-
dent.
BY the Michigan delegation-Mrs.
william b. Williams. OF Lapeer. for
treasurer.
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