New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-17
wilson Appoints Tam
many Congressman
to Morgan's Place
,rTION FOLLOWS
TNVESTIGATION"
MANY New York Business
Men Opposed Change
in Office

= IN New York City by appointing
-.-n,nv candidate, Representative
+sa-.s G. Patten, a "lame duck Of
,o,b Kew York District. de was
i.f,,tsd at the last election by George
Francis, Republican.
1, making the announcement to-oa!
p..,nsster General Burleson issued
',.,ement insinuating that the com
.i,,se now at work examining the New
w Postofice had unearthed irregu-
,.,;,iss in Postmaster Morgan's admin
..,r.t;on. and. further, that Mr.. Morgan
"a ;nterfered with the work Of the IN
vestigation.
au had been my intention said Mr..
p,.iAson "to take no action in the
,,,ter of the New York City appoint
m,pt until after the committee oil
0o.tal experts now engaged in the e%-
,riration of the New York office had
,onpleted its labors, but the First AS
.;..aut Postmaster General, after
conference with the chairman OF the
committee engaged in the examination
has submitted memorandum advising
No that the interest of the postal ser
,ies required a change in the postmas-
,,r,hip and that the proper examina-
,;op Of the Office would be facilitated If
,hs change could be made at an early
date" .,
The announcement of the appoint
m,nt and the statement of the Post
master General were made immedi-
,tsly after the Cabinet meeting to-day
Mr.. Burleson was seen at the White
House and told that his statement was
Interpreted as rejecting on the char
aeter Of Mr. Morgan. He smiled.
Il have nothing to add to the state
nent." he said. 1T speaks for itself
You are entitled to make any inference
yOu please"
Mr.. Morgan's term expired more than
aysar ago. The Administration already
hsd been considering the selection OF
bis successor, but civic associations and
prominent business men in New York
i,ised a storm Of protest against Mr..
Morgan removal. pointing to his rec
cd as an efficient administrator. They
objected 0 turning the office over 10 a
political spokesman.
The President let the matter DRIFT
'ior months, until it seemed TO be for
gotten. Meanwhile Tsmmsny. through
Senator O'Gorman, brought pressure to
bear. The President asked Senator
c'Gorman to submit list Of names ac-
espiabe 10 Tammsny Hall.
Among them was Joseph Johnson, OF
bound Brook, y. J. and New York
City Mr. Wilson had Johnson's com
nission drawn up ready 10 sign when
kerc v1s d leak" 10 a New York
nCvspspcr, and the violent protests
hat arose 20 New York City caused the
President TO reconsider.
There was another lapse Of several
Honths, during which time Mr.. Wilson
saered the office to Representative
senry F. Bruckner prominent Ger
nan-American Of The Bronx Mr..
Sruekner declined.
Finally State Senator Robert +. Wag-
hers nomination was sent TO the SEN
k.H Ter s4vssF al Il
; appeased, though the President knew
70 advance that Wagner would rot ac-
eept The Wagner nomination had been
teiore the Senate without action until
h-oay's nomination Of Mr.. Patten re-
r.seed 10.
Grounds" Said TO BE Found
Because Of the agitation in New York
i9r the retention Of Mr.. Morgan it was
seeded BY the authorities of the Post
Vnee Department that one Of two
courses would have 10 be followed:
Li'aer Nr. Morgan would have TO be
retained In Office. which would be a
Nsrai offence 70 Tammany Hall, or
grounds" would have 20 be found for
- removal. The latter course was de-
fieed upon.
s,mmitiee Of experts was selected ~
Toiimsster General Burlcson 20 cT-
snine the New York PostOffce. There
az hardly any attempt 10 conceal the
s9 that the underlying purpose OF
~ investigation was TO get some
a.hg On SIR. Morgan.
mere - little likelihood that the
sHsn nomination will be defeated IN
~ senate, a. IT has the complete in
ssfssment Of Senator O'Gorman. But
me Republicans intimated to-day
s they we're not ready 70 let II 20
segn without protest.
af' Psttsn has served three cCnsecu-
brAs % Congress. He ~ htty-
~ yesrs old.
'ast what n. Burleson means By
b. Nalement 80 beyond me-" "a d
t.aastef Morgan last night. II wish
we're explicit, that ! might answer
~ mere have been forly-four pos
az hspeetors 81 work here for weeks
...s AikinY week ago tonight
~ SeerIs sutton, Of Kansas City
~s Snifi Inspector. Nr. sutton told
~, nav the investigation was being
sa ~ ny men and he volunteered
~ ,',.I. ',n.II,ffnation that everything vAs
anyht N my department.
Il oprtt, We differed about details
=, s ssryies Men from small cities
e.l..s committee want 70 reduce the
A., .lft here IN New York. / would
'Nn0 for tbst Perhaps that II
~hzffsd Mr. Berieson.0