The Washington times., 1920-11-12

had been filled by Democrats. and
then put them uneer the civil service
N2& tkSs Sr0tSSSsS SAS i0S1nAAs0tk.
Republicans were left In the cold.
Now IL u proposed TO turn the tables
on the Democrats and as fast as the
terms OF Democratic postmasters ex-
pire replace them with Republicans.
MANY SEEK joss.
The revocation OF the order putting
the first. second. and third class
postmasters under the civil service
would be hailed with soy by Rspubli-
cans. who are anxious for appoint.
msnts the country over.
Highbrows may talk about the fu-
ture Of the League OF Nations and
about legislation for the reconstruc-
ton and rehabilitation Of the nation.
but the fact IL that q lot OF the
boys back home" At the crossroads
are more anxious to know what 10
going to be done about the jobs
and the postoffices In particular.
The executive order Of March 81.
1917. 10 intended to keep q postmaster
In offlce indefinitely. so long as he
10 efficient or his behavior passes
muster. He 10 rsappointed when his
term expires. IL his services are salts
IL 10 only when q vacaacy
occurs from death. resignation or re-
moval. or when the PostofYice Depart
ment says a change Is required. that
a new appointment 10 made. And the
new appointment 10 supposed to be
made under the civil service, and not
on n political basis.
IL the Republicans want to capture
the postonices after March 4. they
will md themselves hopeiessiy up
against , stone wall. unless the order
In question 10 Withdrawn.
WOULD TURN TABLES.
Many Republicans are anxious to
get access to the postoffices for an
other reason. In the last winter OF
President Taft's term. when the
Democrats were getting ready to take
over the control OF the government.
the Democrats In the Senate held up
about 1.to0 postmasters and pre-
vented their confirmation. The pur-.
pose. OF course. was to open the way
for Democratic appointees as soon as
r. Wilson entered office. This year.
with the Democratic administration
out of power. the Republicans
In the Senate, urged on by their
brethren In the House and by con-
stttuents intend to hold up connrma-
lions In the same way.
The appointee OF President Wilson
who secures confirmation this winter
will be lucky individual. This ap-
plies to postmasters. as well as many
others.
The policy Of the Harding admin
istration toward postmasters involves
more big politics than some persons
might imagine.
The Republicans have made sur
prising gains In a number OF states
heret ofore counted Democratic. Mis-
souri, is an example OF the sweeping
nature OF the Republican victory.
Numerous new Republicans have been
elected to Congress. as well as other
phices These new Republican men,
bers from states usually Democratic
are eager to build themselves up with
judicious use OF the postal service
and federal patronage generally. 1t
would encourage the workers in Mis-
souri, to have the lure OF jobs held
out to them and the Republican MEM
bers Of Congress feel their chances OF
reelection are better II plenty Of
federal patronage is distributed.
WILL CONVERT STATES.
Wise use Of Federal patronage, the
politicians will argue. will convert
many OF the border States into
States which are reliably Republican.
In general way, the new admins
tration Is expected to insist on OBJ
servance of the civil service laws and
But Mr.. Harding will
be told that tho order putting an orIny
II Democratic postmasters under civil
ervice protection, was politics and
not such an application Of the merit
system az should be allowed to stand.
4 factor in the matter Is the feeling
against Postmaster General Burle-
son. who Is charged with seeking sys-
to break down the spirit
Of the civil service and yet use II
Tor protecting his own party in