Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-01

identity wished to assist Postmaster
Anderson in his moving plans. Inspsc-
tor Sheehan Of Bangor was sent to Do
yer and quietly interviewed PostmAs-
ter Anderson and several Of his friends
who favored the Anderson building for
a postofflce location. Inspector Shss-
han IS alleged to have reported that Il
was a fine place: that . large mater
ity Of the people favored the change:
also that at one time a wooden mill
and grist mill existed near Merrick
square. the present location, giving the
inference that no manufacturing e.
Enlistment existed there at the pres
ent time in spite Of the fact that the
"one-time wooden mills" are now own
ed by the American Wooden Co and
employ $50 hards who pass the door
OF the postoffice morning, noon and
night. The misleading reports were
seen in Washington by CONGRESSMAN
Frank f. Guernsey Of this town and
their contents noted
Public Hearing Demanded
Following Inspector Sheehan's report
the first assistant postmaster general
issued orders to Mr.. Anderson TO eouip
his building and TO move the ONCE as
soon as possible. When this became
known the patrons arose in their wrath
and opened a campaign 10 secure. ~
possible. their rights in the matter.
They asked the department for a pub
lie hearing. AS their demands were tg-
nored special town meeting was held
IN Central hall and was attended by
over 500 patrons of the Office who.
through many speakers, expressed
their sentiments regarding the removal
of the office. Not a word in favor OF
the scheme was heard, though Post
master Anderson was notified OF the
meeting and asked TO be present and
state his reasons for favoring the re-
moval of the Office. He failed TO APP
pear. A remonstrance signed by the
selectmen. two of them Democrats. was
sent the department.
Another Inspector
Several days following the town
meeting Inspector Charles c. Hart
came TO Dover and said he would lis
ten to what the people had TO say re-
garding the matter. Although the time
was short the inspector not making
his presence known until noon, q mass
meeting was held at the court house,
the large supreme court room being
crowded with patrons. A dozeI upeak-
ers told the inspector of the feelings
of the people. Postmaster Anderson
failed to show up and no one uttered
a word favoring the removal OF the Of
fee. In the evening, however, II Is un-
derstood that Postoffice Inspector Hart
passed the evening at Postmaster An
derson's residence and upon his return
to Washington turned In n report ia
voring the removal OF the postoffice.
Protest to BurIeson
News Of this report came like .
thunderbolt out OF a clear sky to the
patrons of the Office who cannot see
how the inspector. IL he meant to be
fair. could make favorable report
when public sentiment Is so strong
against the proposition. As n result OF
this report Ernest J. Smith. chairman
of the board of selectmen. yeoseroay
acting officially for the town. sent IN
long telegram OF protest to Postmaster
General Burleson asking that a public
hearing be held and that Postmaster
Anderson be forced to be present and
give his reasons for moving the once,
also that an inspector who can b de-
pended upon to render an unbiased re-
port be sent here to investigate the
situation. Many Of the patrons Of the
Office declare that there IL "a nigger In
the woodpile" and they desire to see
the whole of the colored gentleman ex-
humed for the benefit Of the public. y
Threaten Beyestt
In the meantime the patrons Of the
office are wondering what IL 70 happen
next A large majority Of them open
ly declare that If the ONCE IL moved
they will certainly boycott the Dover
postoffice and will change their post.
office addresses to the Foxcr0ft once.
just across the Piscataquis river. The
Foxcroft office, az . matter OF fact. viii
be less than 100 yards fro the Dover
Office II Postmaster Anderson succeeds
in renting his building 20 the govern
ment. Every manufacturing establish
ment in town Is preparing to receive
their mail in Foxcroft and nearly every
business and professional man Is max
ing like preparations.