The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-10-13
MAKES MAPOLES LOOK
LIKE A BEANPOLE

Bill Mapoles. who as a journalist
and legislator has caused much mirth
in Florida, has accused Senator Flet-
cher of using the mails for personal
purposes, and drawn forth the follow
ing letter from Mr. w. L. Hill. the
senator's secretary:
Washington, d. c., Oct. IL.
w. H. Mapoles, Esqr, Editor and
Owner, Okaloosa News-Journal,
Crestview, Fla:
Dear Sir: My attention has been
called to an editorial that appeared in
a recent issue of your paper, headed,
'The Sanity Senator" You say:
"For two years this slick individual
has maintained an information bureau
at Washington at government expense
to keep the people of Florida informed
as to his goings and comings. Every
newspaper and publisher IN Florida
knows that not a week passes but he
receives a letter from Washington,
sent through without the payment of
postage, containing something about
Senator Fletcher. what he has done,
o. what he proposes to do"
You know, or could know by max
ing inquiry through legitimate chan
nels, that your statement, above
quoted, is absolutely false. Senator
Fletcher does not maintain an infor-
nation bureau at Washington. or else
where, at government expense or at
his own expense. For your informa-
ton, / will say that there are several
gentlemen in Washington who repre-
sent some Florida and other state
papers, who call at the Office of the
senator-as they do at the offices Of
other senators-several times a week,
for news items. Not one of these
newspaper representatives is in the
employ of the government, or in the
employ of Senator Fletcher. directly
or indirectly. They are paid for their
services by the newspapers represent
ed.
With reference to your statement
that letters are sent through the mail
without payment of postage: When
ever Senator Fletcher receives a let
ter from the secretary of war, or from
any other government official con-
tanning information that it is believed
would be of interest to citizens of
Florida, copies of such official or de-
Ipartmental communications are made
in his Office, and mailed in franked
envelopes to newspapers and others az
matter upon official or departmental
business, as provided by the act of
Congress for franking such. All mem
bers of Congress are entitled to keep
their constituents informed In this
manner. This you know, OF should
know, is not violation of law. or of
the postal rules and regulations.
Permit me to express the opinion
that your prejudice against Senator
Fletcher is not because you do not
know he is an able statesman, but in
due to the fact that you are indebted
To the governor of Florida, an an
ncunced candidate to succeed Senator
Fletcher, for appointment as gasoline
inspector for the state at large.
which you recently received at his
hands and which carries with il a
handsome salary and expense account.
and the obligation to further his polit-
ical aspiration.
L challenge you to substantiate the
statement that Senator Fletcher ever
claimed credit for getting all the pay
for the soldiers 'or claiming credit
for anything else he did not accom-
plish.
1t occurs to me, Mr.. Mapoles, that
IN order to repay your political debt, q
great deal more could be accomplished
by devoting the editorial columns OF
your paper to praising the virtues o1
your choice, rather than filling them
up with assertions against Senator
Fletcher which you well know are moi
true. Very truly, VIII. Hin.