davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27
From Paul 7'hon

1t is believed by some of those
affected that this cannot be
brought about unless "Burleson is
gotten rid Of" The principal lob
byist employed by this selfish
combination, which is reputed to
have raised many thousands of
dollars to be used for accomplish
ing the repeal of this law, in circu-
lar letters, after telling Of the
number of Democratic representa-
tives committed to the repeal of
the law and how it was hoped Re-
publican members could be used.
urged certain publishers not to
contine their attack to the zone
law (the increased postage rates),
but to broaden their scope of crit
lclsm. Thus the sinister purpose
is disclosed.
| do not object to criticism hay
ing behind it an honest purpose. On
the contrary, it is welcomed: but it
is regretted that many conscien-
tlous publishers who desire to be
tar are frequently unwittingly mis-
led by those willing to resort to
base means for the accomplishment
OF sinister purposes.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27

because in addition to keeping his eye
on Congress Mr.. Burleson was never
at loss to propose suggestions to the
members of the Democratic National
Committee and the more important
leaders Of the party throughout the
country
"Some OF these leaders pay him a
very high tribute for industry and
focundity OF ideas. For instance, It
seems to be pretty generally agreed
that Mr.. Burleson was tho author of
the slogan He kept US out of war; SO
adroitly and effectively used during
the Presidential campaign of 1916, but
one that was never personally en-
ployed by tho President, though the
latter did not discourage the use of 1t.
another idea generally credited to
Mr. Burleson was TO suggest the up
peal made by President Wilson to the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27
Burleson's Statement

THE organized propaganda di-
rected against the Postmaster
General is thoroughly under
stood by him. He was advised last
year that it would be inaugurated
before the converting of this Con-
gress. 1t does not have for it's real
purpose any desire for improvement
in the postal or wire service, but
is intended to aid in accomplishing
reduction of the rates of postage
on second class mail newspapers
and magazines).
A virulent attack founded upon
falsehood was made on the Post
master General by the advertising
manager of "The New York World"
the principal newspaper engaged in
this intrigue, at the time the in
crease of these postage rates was
pending before the Ways and Means
Committee. The increased rates
were bitterly opposed. All opposi-
ton was brushed aside and an in
crease Of the rates was made by
the Congress-. The repeal of this
law is what is now really desired
by those attacking the Postmaster
General.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27
MY Record

\ skEn by % Washington COR
respondent if he could tex
plain his unpopularity," postmas=
ter General hurleson NADIA tina
following points and statements,
!, ~ Egke popularity hvs / am
Net geseg 10 make aay sacrifices
Of my nabife duty 81 attain 10
ef 80 heii a."
y. "kHowsag thdt the psstat
ssttfes az times during che sedr
has NOE been as good az then
mould like IL, they Che press)
haze accepted too often the reo-
sons for this given them bu
those interested I'M misrepresent-
ing tho facts"
8. "Thc establishment Of the
parcel post, which has been Of
inestimablo palue to tho country.
soas fought most bitterly. Every
emtemsion is still being fought
By those sohose private interests
may suffer from it."
4. by system of estimating
the Weight of mail carried by the
railroads the government has for
gears been paying tho railroads
much more than they earned for
service rendered. The correction
Of this abuse pkich has saved tho
government $4,000, 900 annually.
has been bitterly fought By tho
railroads."
B. THE pneumatic tube incu-
bus, tohere the government svcs
paying millions to a private con-
Germ for q acorse than useless
service, 'eas another thing which,
aoith the aid Of President WILSON.
ICE corrected-and this has been
resented bitterly"
6. ut cost the government
S72,ooo,ooo more per year than
it received for carrying second
class matter, the bulk of .ohich
IS advertising which the pub-
fishers are highly paid for
circulating. I cannot claim
credit for the correction Of this
epd. a commission, of ,chich
FORMER Supreme Court Justice
Hughes soas chairman, recon-
mended that the second class RITA
be raised"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27

FrHE trouble between Postmaster
4 General Burleson and "The New
York World" developed over the re-
lection of news query by the West
ern Union and the Postal Telegraph
companies, which was designed to
sell part Of an article which had ap-
peared in "The New York World"
on the morning Of April 81, and
which was written by Louis Seibold,
The Worlds" Washington CORE
spondcnt.
In that article it was stated
that
L. "Convicts working for Burle-
son lin Texas) were whipped, it Ia
alleged"
2. He "clashed with his post
Office Department. associates"
B. lie is "the politician Of tho
Cabinet;
4. He "snooped around the Capt.
tor;
g. He made trouble in the Cab
met;
g. There had been ICON plants
about patronage";
T. Labor regards him az a foe;
D. "Acts Of injustice charged";
D. Prohibition charged to him.;
10. He Ii CONDEMNED by American
Federation OF Labor;
II. He IL "an autocrat";
H. lie alone Was responsible "for
taking over cables";
H. lie is "called bitter parti-
tan"
IA. He drives his aids at full
speed"
IN summing up these qualities and
allegations "The World" quericd its
news bureau clientele --- IA common
Pfaetice-~-as follows:
Washington Seibold --- Burleson
Hstused as snoop, trouble maker. dis
''xanlzer, autoerat and arch politician
fostoiiice employees call their chief
s'ass driver, convict laborers having
1ssn whipped On bis farm Msgovorn~
~sss u mail system alleged He Ia
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27
-Brooklyn Daily Eagle,

Congressional Record is interspersed
with frequent instances to show that
while Mr.. Burleson was watching
Congress-, Congress was by no means
entirely ignorant of either his mis-
sions or deceived as to his motives.
THE nearest approach to an ex-
PLANTATION Of his intimate relations
with the President to be obtained in
Cabinet circles is that 'Burleson is
useful to the President There is no
question hut that Mr.. Burleson has
always been very much on his lob.
tie is man of indomituble energy,
most frugal IN habit. tireleas and per-
S'stent in pursuit Of his objects, and
is credited with having won the high
regard Of the President by the por-
a'stency Of personal alterations aud
compliance with the most trivial of the
Presidential wlshas."
In support of its statement that
he was the trouble maker of the
Cabinet,
Vito has never appeared to ha ON
Nther than casual terms with ANY of
his Cabinet associates with tho OK
repl'on ef former Attorney General
Gregory, with whom he Vsed 10 go
tsNlNe,
'lhele aFe many slogles of an
ApoevSphal character 80 Indicate that
ME- i'usiesen WAS ~ pEelne of teouble
making III the Cabinet IA IVA has been
III Uohefesa. Bone Of the Presidents
mcst important alds and political al
vsefs hap at times reflected marked
resentment toward Undertakings in
itated by Mr.. nurleson for which he
had secured the indorscment of the
Presidents Most of these undertakings
were naturally of political nature.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27
ooh! That Little Mischief!''

credited with having put national pro-
hibition through-5,000 (words)."
1t was that query which was re-
jected.
In regard to convict whipping
The Worlds" story said:
Reading from a report of the peni-
tehtlary Investigating Committee Of
lexas, MIR. Miller cited the statements
OF Captain Brooks, of the Burleson G.
Johns farm, who testified that one of
the convicts tluce) was punished by
eighteen licks' for laziness. The
same evidence disclosed that other
eony'cts were often whipped by the
guards, using short handle of wood
10 which were fastened several strapa
''Va faet long, each more than an inch
wide"
Again, as Il politicians;
Nihora Aas always hoau u good deal
et mystery as ia the roNsous for Mr.
hNyleson's advancement from tho
feAas delegation in Congress- ia the
eeNsFel of the fostotiiee Department,
" has generally heen credited to tho
lNnaeNee of NeloNel Edward NJ.
House, mast intimate friend and sd-
wiser 81 FYesldent Wilson and NOW
seeena N command of tina American
delegation "a the peaea conference al
Paris No appointment made hy Mp,
Wilseh at the oulset OF hls tlpst tpvm
provoked as much sNrprisa hs hs
nomination Of Mr. nufiesun for post.
master General. The record Of tho
Texas Congressman up to that time
had given neither PROMISE nor achieve.
ment commensurate with the honor
paid him. However
"Mr. Wilson presumably discovered
in Mr.. Burleson qualities that had
never been revealed to his associates
in the Legislative branch of tho gov
ernment. He proceeded to rcorganizc
the Postofilco Department on a purely
political basis Tho leaders Of tho
Democratic party in all Of tho states,
including New York, were not long
permitted to doubt that Mr.. Burleson
was the politician Of tho Cabinet n
distinction that Mr.. Burleson himself
has never repudiatod, but on the con-
trary has manifcstly encouraged.
"Mr. Burlcson persstently main
tanned very close scrutiny on and
over Congress, and while other mem
bers of the Cabinet were given to de-
voting their time to the successful OPP
Grafton of their respective departments,
he always found time to watch things
at the Capitol for the President to
give orders and to badly critcise the
personal views and Legislative under
takings OF his former associates. His
lack OF tact in doing so has been one
OF his most conspicuous qualities and
has frequently called down upon his
head personal denunciations uttered
on the floor Of both houses"
Or as "snooper":
IAN instance of this was provided
by question asked by Representative
North, Of North Dakota, during dis
cussion Of the proposition to censor
the mails in August, 1917. Interro-
eating Representative Moon, chairman
Of the Postoiiice and Post Roads Com
mittee, concerning the origin OF tho
suggestion, Mr.. Norton asked:
Was that message brought to Won
by the Postmaster General, who has
been shopping around the Capitol and
Office Building this morning?'
Mr.. Burlcson was often accused OF
'snooping, Of mcddling, Of misrcprc-
scnting the attitude Of tho President
on pending legislation. Of promoting
his personal wishes and views. The
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27
ME rejection by the govern
ment controlled Western
n Union and Postal Telegraph

inehI controlled Western
II Union and Postal Telegraph
companies of news query
submitted to them by "The New
York World" and the strike of the
boston and New England telephone
operators have combined to further
subject Postmaster General Burle
son to bath of scorching pub
LEFTY.
A French political authority re-
marked some years ago that when
once agreed "the unanimity of critics
WAS y wonderful thing" and in the
case OF Burleson this exceptional
status OF criticism seems ia have
heen attained. The Postmaster Con
erai Is roundiy criticised by Demo
cratic and Republican organs alike.
"tha New York World" which Mr.,
hufleson singles out as the newspa-
per leading tha fight against him,
eahees the view Of a eahlegram sent
Va President Wilson hy the president
VI the Democratic Club ef Massa
ehAselis and eleven members af the
statn legislature, which declared
"bufleseh wfeeling The Democratic
party. Remove him"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27

service that subordinates, fearing
vengeance or counting favor, under
take in their own interest to antici-
pate its penalties. No man directly
or indirectly responsible for such a
system Of espionage should be Post
master General of the United
States"
"The Philadelphia Bulletin" be-
lieves sit is pertinent to inquire
whether the censorship which was
applied was the act of the New York
local wire managers, as a matter of
individual judgment, or was the re-
tlex of the purpose of the acting con-
troller Of the Federal wire system
to muzzle his critics."
In any event, The New York
Tribune finds that "the offence
which he has given to every person
who mails letter, or answers a
telephone call, or pens telegraphic
message, is a warning to the public
what it may expect when it permits
arrogant ignorance to be in charge
OF public business. Tyran-
meal, foolish, of a disorderly mind,
Burleson is most sinister"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27

IrEIiE Postmaster General had
= hoon scared under many sep,
Arate heads, His organization ot
the zone system for second class
mailing matter, alleged inferior mail
service, and Omen dissatisfaction
among employees are hut three edlfy-
ms chapters of his postal difficulties,
Tho Decentralization of telegraph,
telephone and cable lines, with sub
seaWast ralsng ~ rates and raising
or wages, which employees have de-
eAfed "afe actually no false NJ ALI
have BEEN cited ~ olhef dseraeeFul
Failures and examples Of govern
meht control, "applied with an anna
tours handL'
with dissatisfaction expressed
upon all sides, the Boston and New
England telephone strike and the
refusal OF minor managers Of the
Western Union and the Postal Tele-
graph companiessto transmit news
query which touched upon the Post
master Generals political history
have brought forth such a veritable
avalanche of critism that The
New York Tribune is prompted
editorially to remark that "the
beauty about Burleson is that his
record is so bad that not even the
most impudent partisan can make
an excuse for him." and the Demo-
cratic columbia Record" de-
cides chat an object lesson is some
times necessary and Mr.. Burleson is
giving us one"
Furthermore:
ave people Of the South have long
pridcd ourselves-though lately we
have 'kidded' ourselves-on our JetYer-
sonian Democracy. 1t is far cry
from the Democracy of Jefferson to
that of Burleson.
at was necessary and inevitable
that great powers should be lodged in
the hands of the central government
during the war. And these powers
were conferred ungrudgingly in the
confident belief that they would be re-
mitted. An extension of Mr.. Burle-
sons theories would perpetually con-
centrate them at Washington. Over
the ruins of Democracy there would he
reared bureaucracy as absolute as
that which dominated Germany"
"The Louisville Courier-J ournal,"
another Democratic organ, in COM
menting upon the inferior mail SER
vice says:
albert Sidney Burleson why
wasn't he christened Alexander, Julius
Caesar or Charlemagne at least lis
not man to let George do it. If it
Is to be done Albert Sidney must do
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27

1t. II 1t isn't done possibly it is be-
cause Albert Sidney is heaving out of
windows so much of the Internal
machinery of private control as is
represented by the executive heads of
the wire companies. Pardon Mr.. Bur
Lesson. Every day is his busy day."
In this national attack which has
been joined by even the friends of
the Administration, "The Philadel-
phia Inquirer" finds that while Bur-
Lesson is not worthy target, the ulti-
mate responsibility for his acts must
rest not with the Postmaster Gen
eral, but with the President, who
stands as his sponsor. 1t continues:
1--WE have no doubt that the friends
of the President are entirely sincere in
the drive they are making against Mr.
Burleson, but every word of condemna-
ton they utter against him is a rebuke
to the President who appointed him and
who sustains him in all of the things
people. He may be forced. out, but
President Wilson cannot escape the re-
sponsihllity for the acts of his faithful
servant
This opinion finds many echoes,
among them that Of "The New York
Sun" "Consequently," it says, after
q view of the Postmaster Generals
record, "every nemocratic assault on
Postmaster General Burleson's adj
mlnlstratl0n is a Democratlo assault
ON President Wilson'S admlnistra-
tlon and a Democratic confession Of
the Weakness ot that admnlstra-
t1en," while "Ihe Detroit free
Press" believes "lf the PRESIDENT
does not act something Is certain te
happen "a seen "a The new Congress
eehvenes." And TAT ANY rate" con
eludes "1'he ri iaso Morning
Times "Mt. l3urlesoh FIRST acted
on the advice OF Mr.. Wilson"
II HE Boston and New England
"A strike Of telephone operators
and the not altogether happy settle
ment Of it have been largely attrb-
uted to MIR. Burleson. During the
period of the strike "The Boston
Transcript" became so wroth that it
advocated independent action by the
Governor Of Massachusetts and the
state Legislature. 1t threw down the
gauntlet, remarking, "the people
have right to expect protection
from the servants Of the Common
wealth when they fail to get it from
their head servants at Washington.
Is Massachusetts powerless in the
premises? We think not"
"In his characteristic way" says
"The Portland Press" "the Postmas-
ter General undertook to ignore the
claims of the telephone girls in New
England. We don't need to say what
the result was. 1t has been too pain
fully impressed upon the business
and private interests of this section.
There are many things the Presi-
dent needs, but first of all new
postmaster general"
1t adds:
Postmaster General Burleson didn't
appear to care whether the public was
Inconvenience and subjected to great
loss or not. He really forced the tele-
phone employees to strike when by
little effort on his part strike might
have been avoided"
THE New York Evening Post"
finds: GAS soon as the Post Office
Department consented to indorse
whatever settlement might be
reached between the local manager
and the union, the difficulty was ad
Justed in few hours. This shows
that something was seriously wrong
at Washington. MIR. Burleson's treat
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27

country in October last for the cleo
ton Of ~ Democratic Congress the
Republicans called 1t AN autocratlc
domaud' At any rate, Mr., burleson Ia
roputod TO have induced tho President
ia writo aud issue hla appoM lor de-
mNndl, with tho result that tho Ropuh-
li,Nus captured both houses Of Non-
gross aud won hack oloven at the
states they had lost to Mr., Wilson two
years hofora,
Nlkora eomas ia pers0nai knowledge
from an excellent source tho state
ment that at the Nvst meellNg ot the
Cabinet Nfter the hemoeFaNe disaster
following tina Presidents appeAl DIS
euaslan "a is tina eAuses lNspiFea a
member or tina body 10 intimate that
the ifesldenis nddress TO tina country
was not properly Interpreted. No ref
ercnce wns made to the effect OF 1t,
but tho President Ia reputed to have
snd III substances we know tho effect
of it, ali right, and | want to sny that
tho man who suggested that move Is
In this ROOM by the process Of elm
nation tho honor Of proposing tho
step was pinned on Burlcson, as II
were. However tho incident may have
affected MIR. Burlcson's associates, it
does not appear to have caused him to
have lost prestige with the President"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-27

TT WAS mayhap singular coin
Il cidcnce that the rejection Of a
news query from "Thc New York
World" came in the wake of the
news and editorial campaign which
that democratic organ had aimed at
the Postmaster General.
Briefly, the query was the offer
Of Mr.. Burlesons Washington
career which had been reviewed by
"The Worlds" Washington CORE
spondent, and which the telegraph
heads decided was so caustic as to
be Improper" to transmit over the
government controlled wires. j. P.
Miller, chief of the division of in
formation in the Postoffice Depart
mcnt at Washington, insists that
"Mr. Burleson knew nothing what
ever about it (the rejection)," and
later it was announced that the post
master chad instructed the tele-
graph companies to hold up no
stories containing libellous refer
ence to him and his administration. 4"
Yet tho fact that one message was
refused contributes an interesting
exhibit to the relationship between
government controlled wires and
the freedom of the press.
Terming the incident ono of
"usurpation gone mad" "The New
York Evening Sun" says: 'In the
Imperial Valley press., 1919-01-04
CONVERT DENVER
FIRE STATIONS
INTO TOY SHOPS
(By Associated Pressl

Denver, Colo, Jan. 4.-For time
every fire station in Denver was q
toy shop, the firemen having turned
toy makers when they were not re-
spending to alarms to help the Junior
Red Cross Christmas bazaar.
The iremen specialized in the. max
ing of doll furniture and their de-
partment at the bazaar looked like a
furniture store catering to the
wealthy circles Of Lilliputian society,
displaying velvet-cushioned chairs,
hardwood sets, triple mirrors and nu-
merous other pieces of work that
show unusual skill on the part Of the
makers.
Every fireman had hand in the
work. Those who were not expert
wood workers-for the work required
exceptional skill-did the sand-paper-
ing and painting and assisted ths
others.
Imperial Valley press., 1919-01-04
URGES SUPPORT
FOR ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS OF CAL
(By Associated Pressl

Sacramento, Jan. 4.-Greater sup
port from the state for elementar!
schools in California was urged il
the biennial report made public BY
Edward Hyatt, state superintendent OF
public instruction. A tendency tc
shift the financial burden of caring
for the schools from state to county
and county to district has made Cali
fornia rural schools merely training
schools for the larger centers" with
"a constant coming and going of in
experienced teachers" the report
said.
"The state apportionment to ele-
mentary schools has increased ass
per cent in the last twelve years" 1t
was pointed out in "generalizations'
of Job Wood, Jr., statistician of de-
partment, included in the report,
while the county's support has in
creased cost of education has been
rapidly shifting from the state to the
county and the district. In the larger
centers the big cities have been inter-
ested in low county tax rates for the
reason that county funds are distri-
buted to all districts of the county.
DSCduSe VI JIiiS luS SAIiNS aiN "iAiiiiS
to have a heavy district tax ana
lower county rate.
"The district tax will not suffice to
meet the demand for trained teachers.
In MANY mountain communities the
valuation of property is so low that
the tax limit allowed by law for spe-
cial taxes would not produce 500 q
year"
The report states 'there is no
surer way to build up the city and
deplete the country than to have long
terms of school with trained teachers
in the city and short terms with in
exrarienced teachers and low salaries
in the country"
Pointing ont that the state gives
out on a teacher basis" $3.50 per
teacher and apportions the remaining
money of the state school fund on the
basis of the average dailv attendance
Of the previous year. the report shows
that from 1910 to 1918 the rate per
pupil on average daily attendance has
fallen from S1016 to SS.23.
at will be noted" the report con-
tinued, "that there has been a great
increase in the enrolment in high |
schools during the PAST twelve years,
the number of schools increased from
179 to 81 and the teachers from
1,189 to 4,811, or sos per cent; en-
rollment of pupils from q ,57s to 1885,
915, or 362 per cent; the receipts
increased from s3,756,655.46 to s13,-
s47. 7.61444. or 269 per cent.
"When the total receipts are di-
vided by the total enrolment of 1907 |
we have s136.22 per pupil or falling
off on receipts of S31.40 per pupil.
This is most excellent. showing as it
indicates plainly that the greater the
number of pupils the less the cost ny
individual. The total expenditures for
high school has been increased from
So .529 .6sO.79 to S11 ASP .32S.35, a gain
Of s8.902 .647.56. This makes the cost
per pupil enrolled in 1918 S73.S9.
while in 1907 it was $65.01. or gain
of ss.88. The valuation of property
has risen from S5.626,200 in 1907 to
s29, ,7oS, ,443 in 1913, or a gain OF
428 ger cent"