The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-10-02
Hancock Sees Political Fences
Being Patched at Report Dis
crediting His Administration
as Postmaster.
SAYS DISPATCH
EXPOSES NOVICE
Post Office Patrons Approve,
Congressman Disapproves-
Asks Who Counts, Patrons or
Politicians?

Postmaster Ben Hancock is much
amused at the interest which Is being
paid to attempts to discredit his adj
ministration of the Pensacola post
office. A dispatch from Washington
under the name of George II. Manning.
intimation that the postal authori-
ties were much incensed with the post
ing of civil service notices here.
Subsequent to the Republican fill
buster which prevented senatorial ap-
proval of my nomination to succeed
myself, my name was sent to the SEN
ate in February of this year by Presi-
dent Wilson with the approval of the
postmaster general" said Mr.. Hancock.
A poster announcing the examination
to fill a vacancy in the fourth-class
postoffice at Pinewood, SO the Wash
ington dispatch says, recently arrived
here. 1t was posted in the lobby and
a patron of the office called the post
masters attention to the fact that the
poster had arrived with Pensacola
written in by the Washington "au-
thorities." rather than Pinewood. 1t
is made to appear that Mr.. Hancock
has repeatedly published the first class
standing of the local office. he says,
and has intimated no intention OF talk
ing the examination TO succeed him
self.
Dispatch Shows ignorance.
af -,
exposes the dispatch as the work of
a novice, since the statement is made
to say that only dozen will be eli
gible. The published notice of the
civil service commission indicates
that all who are 30 years of age. who
are American citizens and who reside
within the territory served by the Of
flee at the time of the vacancy, will
be eligible here. Mr. Hancock leaves
it to the intelligence of the public as
to how many would be eligible. AS to
their eligibility with other Washing
ton authorities" he makes no specu-
lation.
THE interest which Congressman
SmithwiclS- is showing in the affair
might be expected" said Mr.. Hancock.
''They are wondering why he roes not
show also an interest in securing re-
cognition of the ports of the Florida
gulf coast in the great move by the
department of commerce to build up
a Pan-American commerce with gulf
ports"
Silent on West Florida.
"Garrard Harris. trade Commissioners.
Of the commerce department at Wash
ington has already established head
quarters at a southern city and plans
to boost New Orleans. Mobile, Pasca-
goula and Gulfport. No mention is
made of Pensacola, with her fine har-
Dor. or of st. Andrews. or other West
Florida ports. The move Is said to be
sanctioned by Senators Underwood,
Bankhead, Congressman w. b. Oliver,
Alabama; Senators Harris, Georgia
and Mcclellan, of Tennessee, and other
southern members of congress.
while deprecate making politics oR
the mistake of a Washington postal
clerk. in order to discredit my admin
istration, I am interested in seenig
Pensacola and other West Florida
ports given. the approval they deserve"
said Mr.. Hancock. My only sugges-
tion in the matter might be that port
facilities are of more Importance to
West FToridians than notices OF postal
vacancies at Pinewood for the local
member of congress-"