The Washington times., 1916-10-31
Republican Candidate Answers
Letter Of National Reform
League on Question.
WILSON'S STAND UNKNOWN
Positions Are Compared to That
Of Clerks and Others Under
the Government.

Charles Z. Hughes. Republican can
didate for President, has come out In
favor Of legislation to put first. sec
ond and third class postmasters into
the civil service and to take them
out of politics.
President Wilson has been asked for
his views on this proposition. but has
not yet stated his position.
The National Civil Service Reform
League has taken the initiative in the
movement to lift the postmasters out
Of politics. II addressed a letter to
both Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Wilson fav-
oring the merit system as applied to
postmasters and asking an expression.
TIE Press New Legislation.
II is considered not unlikely that In
the next Congress legislation to put the
pcstmasters under civil service will be
pressed. What stand President Wilson
will take Is not known. However. both
political parties are committed to the
principle of the civil service law.
In asking PRESIDENT wilson and Gov
ernor Hughes to favor plan to take
the postoffices out of politics, the
league gave the following reasons in q
IS;
These offices have nothing to do with
the determination OF policies. Post
masters are subordinates OF the POST
master General, and are no more than
subordinate officials In charge of the
business management of their respec-
tive OFFICES. There is no more reason
why a Democratic postmaster should be
removed on a change in administration
that a clerk should be removed for
similar reasons.
Part Of Patronage.
Under the present system all first.
second. and third class postmasterships
are part OF the Senatorial patronage.
Appointments are based not on merit,
but on political considerations. A
change In the administration means n
fore the expiration OF term and the APP
poptment OF a new postmaster almost
certainly having but the slightest
knowledge of the duties ot his office.
The. The change would result in 2 material
sage to Congress on April 4. 1912. Presi-
dent Taft stated that there was a loss
Of at least s10.00o00) annually because
OF the present method of appointment
Of the Treasury, Postoffice. Justice, In
terror, and Commerce and Labor. due to
the fact that two persons are paid for
doing work that could easily be done
by one. He stated further that III
the position of postmaster (f1rst and
second classeO were placed in the class
ined service and these officers were
given salaries equal to 20 per cent more
than the salaries now given to the as
sistant postmasters, the latter position
being no longer required. there would
be saving In salaries to the Govern
ment of A5l2,90O. In the case OF post
masters at offices OF the third class a
large annual saving could be made"
Hughes Acknowledges Letter.
Mr.. Hughes, declaring that he ia
vored the passage OF legislation pro-
viding for competitive appointments
Of Presidential postmasters. sent the
league on October 23 the following
letter:
Montclair. N. j..
October 30, 1916.
Mr.. George T. Reyes.
Secretary, National Civil
Service reform League,
10 Wall Street,
New York City.
Dear Sir: On account of my alb
sence on campaign tours II has
been impossible to give your let
ter of September 26 earlier atten-
ton. You say the National Civil
Service Reform League has entered
upon q campaign for legislation
which will provide for the COM
petitive classification of first sec
ond, and third class postmasters
and you ask whether l would favor
or oppose legislation to accom-
plish such extension of the CLASH
Ned service.
i beg. to say that I favor such
legislation.
Very sincerely yours,
CHARLES EVANS HUGHES.