Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-24
Declares an Organized Propa-
ganda Has Been Inaugurated
in an Effort to Destroy Him
Alleges Threats
ISSUES STATEMENT
The Object Of Those Prosecuting Him,
He Says, Is to Accomplish Repeal of
Zone Postal LAW Which Increases
Second Class Rates

|
eral Burleson in a statement issued to-
night asserted that an organized propa-
ganda had been inaugurated in effort
to destroy him and thereby to aid in bring
ing about repeal of the zone postal law in
creasing second class rates
| The statement charged that more than
a year ago an unnamed member of a COM
mittee seeking repeal of the law urged
him to acquiesce and bluntly informed
him, 1--WE ruined Postmaster General
Hitchcock and destroyed Mr.. Taft" La
ter. IL was said well known publisher
also annamed. promised that Mr.. Burle-
son would be made the most popular man
in the cabinet If he would aid or acquiesce
in the repeal and said But If you do not
fear they will ruin you.
These offers were spurned, Mr.. Burle-
son declared, and now he said he was con-
fronted by a systematic propaganda Of
selfish interests which through repeal of
the law would be able to resume enjoy
ment of postal subsidy of over $7O.OOO,-
900 per annum." Even under the zone law,
he added there still would be an annual
loss Of more than $5O,OOO,OO0 to be made up
out Of the general public.
This statement followed one given out
at the postoffice department during the
day announcing that the postmaster
general had directed that telegraph
systems suspend their regulations
against libelous matter, insofar as
matter relating to the postmaster gen.
eral was concerned. This order was
given, 1t was stated, yesterday morn
ing, after the night manager of the
postal system at New York had refused
: 70 accept certain messages filed by the
New York World News Bureau on the
ground that they were libelous. These
messages constituted an article dis
cussing the postmaster-general.
Following is the statement issued to-
night:
The organized propaganda directed
against the postmaster general Is thor
4 oughly understood by him. He was ad-
vised last year that 1t would be inau-
gurated before the converting of Con-
g gress 1t does not Nave for it's real
= purpose any desire for improvement In
S he postal or wire service. but is in
e Nended to aid In accomplishing re-
n 0uction of the rates of postage on Sec
e 6nd class mail newspapers and maga-
e Senes) virulent attack founded upon
y Yalsehood was made on the postmaster
h general by the advertisig manager OF
y the New York World, the principal
d newspaper engaged in this intrigue, at
e the time the increase of these postage
d rates was pending before the ways and
: means committee. The increased rates
! were bitterly opposed. All opposition
It was brushed aside and an increase OF
n the rates was made by Congress
n 1.-THE repeal of this law is what is now
n really desired by those attacking the
postmaster-general. 1t Is believed by
some of these affected that this cannot
:. be brought about unless 'Burleson is got
ten rid Of.
. THE principal lobbyist employed by
this selfish combination which is reputet
. to have raised many thousands of dollars
. to be used for accomplishing the repea
- of this law in circular letters after tell
=, ing Of the number of democratic repre-
sentatives committed to the repeal of thu
n law and how it was hoped republican
!, members could be used urged certain
:, publishers not to confine their attack t.
- the zone law Che increased postage rate
n but to broaden their scope of criticism
l., Thus the sinister purpose is disclosed.
I'm fact, as stated, notice was giveI
n the stmaster-general more than
a. year ago what could be expected il ther'
" was no acquiescence on his part in tn
Is suspension or repeal of this law. A
I'd that time a member of the COMMITTEES
,e representing those contending for the re
,e peal urged the postmaster-generalt t.
W acquiesce therein and In the course o
r. conversation bluntly informed him W.
have made and unmade many congress
er men. We ruined Postmaster-Genera
E. Hitchcock and destroyed Mr.. Taft. w
he realize that without your aid we ma
to be able to secure relief now. but w
a, will see what can be done with the mex
d, Congress- Later a well known publishe
Id called on the postmaster-general an
re- also urged that he recommend the sus
la pension or repeal Of this law, saying t
In him: III you will aid or acquiesce il
IN the repeal of this law we will max
CO you the most popular man In the Wilso
ls' cabinet, but IL you do not l fear the
co will ruin you
IN "These two statements we're made t
er the postmaster general In the presenc
to of the present first assistant postmaster
es general The postmaster-generals spurne
~ them both and is now confronted wit
ly the effort of these selfish interest
er through systematic propaganda steal
thily concealing their real purpose b
ne creating and falsifying news, misrer
ct resentation of facts and appeals to pre-
r. tudics' to destroy the postmaster-gen
lis eral thereby aiding In the repeal OF tn
'ir law. thus enabling them to resume tn
st, endowment of a postal subsidy Of owe
ie $40 100000 per annum which must
d. taken out of tn, pockets of the othe
es users Of the mail.
lip at might not be wise at this time
NV suggest 1t, but as a matter OF fact jul
tice as between the users of the variol
Die classes of mail would require an increa,
rs of this postage rate. instead Of redu
in ton. The general public for years su
he fered a loss of millions of dollars by II
be transportation of second class mail I
ID, much less than cost. A large percental
So ~ this mail is not printed and di
ce tributed for educational, but solely 4
.re commercial purposes. Even under II
elf zone law after the maximum rates ha,
Ter been reached there will still be an annu
Ioss OF more than $50.0Oo.oOO to be mat
ire nm by the general public. This maxi
ith clear the exact interest the owners
nx certain newspapers and magazines ha'
ist in the effort now on foot to discredit IL
.lv 81 40 not object to criticism having b
.Coutinued ON page four)