Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-26
suRLgsoN's FArG Up 70 wlLsoN
Democrats Join Republicans in Fisht
on Mail Chief.

VI VaN SE's's
Washington, April 25.-The row in
the democratic, party over the reten-
lion OF Postmaster General Burleson
lr the cabinet is assuming such pro-
portions that President Wilson soon
will be compelled to take the matter
IN hand.
whether Mr.. Burleson shall go or
stny will be decided by the president
when he returns to Washington, II not
earlier. lp anticipation OF develop
ments the postmaster general mas
cabled the president a lengthy defense'
which includes his charges that dis
gruntled periodical publishers are De-
hind the attacks upon him.
II transpired today that there VIII
be initiated an Investigation OF snrie-
sons administration Of the postal wire
and cable services as soon as the ne"
congress meets. Democratic members
are no less in favor of such investiga-
ton than are the republicans, VINO
win be In control.
Il, addition the democrats are pre-
paring to line up with the republicans
in support of legislation restoring ,ne
telegraph and telephone ana eao'e
lines to their owners. Representa'i'e
Aswell. of Louisiana. a democrat VINO
introduced the bill authorizing the
government TO take over the wire sss
TENS. said that he would apologize TO
the house for fathering' Legislation
which has brought about the situation
resulting from Burleson's manage
want of the lines.
IT also was reported during the day
chat democratic national committee
-, intended to bring the case OF
Rurieson before the national commit
tee at its forthcoming session IN chi
capo In the absence Of Chairman
Cummings, William j. Cochran, AT
democratic' national committee head
quarters, denied there is any basis Tor
such reports.
The postmaster general issued more
statements today in reply to his critics
In one he assailed the Postal Teie-
,ranb company as a taxdodger, say
ing:
.There are over 10000 telephone and
telegraph companies In the Cnlleu
states furnishing service to the pup
lie. The postmaster general has had
controversy or even an unpleasant eA-
perience with only one--the Postai
telegraph and Cable company.
"The Postal Telegraph company is
also the only company so far as ascer-
tanned whose sworn statements beIore
the interstate commerce commission
as IN receipts. disbursements, value OF
property. and depreciation reserves are
in conflict with their sworn statements
to the postmaster general. Tine oltter
attitude OF it's officials can only De at
tributed to the fact that It's oealihss
with the postal establishment made II
necessary to disclose the fact that us
records have not been so kept as 10
prevent the state tax officials OF the
various states from access to figures
showing the value Of the property sub
iect to local taxation as presented in
their sworn statements to the post
master general. And its refusal to go
TO the Court Of Claims cannot be ek-
planned on any theory other than rear
to support these statements in court and
to make further exposure Of the actual
facts.
In another statement Mr.. Burleson
denied that he had applied the gag rule
to telegraph employees and suppressed
the Postal magazine.
at vas discovered some time ago
that fne-uerss>d olIscialse OF he, Postal
Telegraph company had, white thsy
we've operating those properties for
the government made nse Of the tele-
graph without payment and Of en-
ployes in the government service for
the circulation of propaganda to incite
INSTRUMENTATION and to disorganize and
obstruct government operation OF the
wire systems and thereby impair the
use of the wire service to the public"
said this statement