The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-28

slackening or the Democratic war oi'
him. Within a fortnight 1t is probable
that some startling revelations will De
made by Mr.. Burleson's own party as
sociates regarding some of his factional
and partisan activities.
Trouble over Appointments.
One source of trouble for Mr. Bur-
Lesson lies in his attitude toward the
appointment of postmasters OF the
higher classes. Mr.. Burleson and the
President have taken great credit TO
themselves for establishing the merit
system in appointing postmasters. Al
the same time Mr.. Burleson In numer-
Gus appointments has defeated the merit
system by political manipulation OF the
civil service examinations.
Knowing of this various Democratic
Senators have attempted to secure like
action from him to establish their own
favorites in post Office appointments
Not always have they been successful.
Consequently trouble has resulted.
The Civil Service Commission did not
prove so amenable to Mr.. Burleson's ac-
tons as he thought desirable. Accord
ingly last February Mr.. Burleson sue
ceeded in having the President demand
the immediate designations of Hermon
w. Craven and Charles NJ. Galloway,
members Of the commission. Mr.. Ora
ven is from Seattle and was the Repub-
lican member, and Mr.. Galloway,
Democrat, Is from south Carolina. The
President assigned no reason for his
demand
Mr.. Craven promptly resigned. Mr..
Galloway filed his resignation at the
White House, but at the same time he
gave to the President. 1t is now known.
written charges OF serious nature
against Mr.. Burleson involving the lat
ters attempt to prostitute the civil SER
vice law and the commission itself. Six
months have passed and the President
has not acted on the Galloway resigna-
ton or on the charges.
The reason Is not obscure. If Mr..
Galloway is forced out he might give
"pitiless publicity" to the reasons, and
these reasons might be read by plain
men everywhere"
Mr.. Galloway's Southern friends have
been demanding that the President
make choice between Mr.. Burleson and
Mr.. Galloway. Apparently the Presi-
dent has chosen Mr.. Burleson.
In the meantime Mr.. Burlesou is not
getting along so well with the new
Civil Service Commission in the matter
of post office examinations as he had
hoped when he nominated the new men,
sion in that quarter is not impossible.
Rows with Civil Service.
Back in 1917 Mr.. Burleson's interfer-
ence produced a row in the Civil Service
Commission. John A McIlhenny of
Louisiana, then chairman OF the COM
mission, stood with the Postmaster
General in his attempts to use politics
in civil service examinations and Mr..
Galloway and Mr Craven against him
Trouble resulted The matter was laid
before the President, who on July 5.
1917. summoned Messrs. Galloway and
Craven to the White House The Pres
ident recalled them on July 9 for an
other conference
Soon after this Mr. Burleson, sneak
ing with authority. told Messrs. Gallo
way and Craven that McIlhenny was to
be removed as soon as a man could be
found for his place,
About that time Burleson offered the
place to Victor Murdoch. who turned II
down. preferring n $4,000 job on the
Federal Trade Commission. Then
Burleson offered the place to Robert w
Woolley, formerly Director of the Mint
and director of publicity of the Demo-
cratic National Committee in 1916. Mr.
Woolley, however, got $4,000 place
on the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion.
After all Mr. McIlhenny did not GO
He remained for eighteen months and
until the Administration could find a
$4,000 place under the Department OF
State for him. He went to the new no.
sition with a letter from the President
praising him highly for his conduct Is
Civil Service Commissioner.
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