Evening star., 1920-11-28
BY WILL r. KENNEDY.

AHEMBERS Of Congress are now be-
lv1 ing besieged fer authoritative
information as to whether the
first. second and third class postmas-
terships-commonly known as "Presi-
Dental postmasters"-aret to continue
permanent" under the civil service,
and there arc some well defined cam
paigns in behalf Of deserving repub-
licans"
One particular case where the post
mastership issue has been raised Is in
Speaker Gilletts home city. Springfield.
Mass,
This question has arisen principally
because there has been u great deal
Of misunderstanding with regard to
the executive order Of President Will
son dated March 81. 1s17-the general
belief being that 1t made the postmas-
terships Of first. second and third class
Offices permanent for the present in
cumbenta
AS a matter of fact it did nothing
of the sort. It merely provided civil
service examination for the selection
of the candidate to be nominated by
the President for confirmation by the
Senate.
This executive order can be set aside
by Warren G. Harding or any subse-
ouent President. by an affirmative an
nouncement- Whether Mr.. Harding
will do this or not remains to be seem
Speaker Gillett, in reply to many
inquiries on the subject, has said: Il
do not know what Mr.. Harding in
tends to do. and 1 do not believe he
knows himself"
This echoes the statements OF 9TH
er prominent republicans. but the gen.
eral feeling among them is that he
will abrosate the order. Whether he
does or does not, most Of the present
postmasters in first. second and third
class Offices will go early in the re-
publican administration.
Provisions Of Law.
The executive order Of President Will
son never did put these postnasters
under the civil service, because the
civil service law specifically says: Nor,
unless by direction of the Senate. shall
any person who has been nominated for
confirmation by the Senate be required
to be classified or to pass an examina-
) ton" The positive action Of the Sen
ate is required before the postmaster
ships could be put under the civil service.
Stir. agan, the law would have to be
changed before any postmaster ap-
pointed as provided in the Wilson ex-
ecutive order could hold the position
Indefinitely. Such postmasters are
appointed for a four-year, term. the
same length as presidential term
No mere executive order can change
that term; it must be done by action
OF Congress. All that any President
can do to give any postmaster con-
tinued appointment is to renominate
him on the expiration of his four-year
term, and then the Senate. If it so de-
sires, can withhold confirmation.
The Civil Service Commission con-
Arms this statement of the situation
as II exists today as follows: "Under
existing law. first, second and third
class sostmasters arc appointed by
the President by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate. and no per-
SON who is thus appointed is required
TO be classified unless by the direction
of the Senate. The order does not
create any vacancies or require that
an examination be held upon the ex-
piration Of the four-year term Of
any postmaster. 1t does not give a
connective classified status to any
postmaster or classify any ONCE Of
postmaster. under the civil service
q. A~pka a.
the civil service law and does not give
any right to transfer to the classified
service"
Patronage Question.
The terms Of "presidentiaT' post
masters expire as a rule soon after
the new administration comes in.
These postmasterships have usually
been party patronage" and have been
given to some active party man in
each community who helped mate
rally in putting his party-whether
republican or democratic-into power.
This has sometimes been given as a
reward, but there is a much more i'm
portant consideration. The post
nastership is the nearest public SER
vice Of tho federal government to
each community. The party coming
into power invariably feels it should
have as public servant in such posi-
ton a person in harmony with the
admfnistration's views. rather than
ono whose political views are avow-
sedly antasonistic to the administra-
tion.
The executive order Of President
Wilson on March 81. 1917. was as far
as the President could go to put the
selection Of postmasters on a COM
petetive basis.
Mr.. Harding must decide for himself
whether he will abrogate II. but one
thing is certain--he is going to be
urged strongly by the most powerful
republican leaders in tho country tc
set 1t aside Naturally, they want
"the spoils Of Office" but they viii
urge II on higher groundA II there
Is a particularly efficient postmaster
in any office he may not be disturbed
but the members Of Congress as a
big majority have been far from sat
isfied with the postmasters appointed
during the democratic regime and say
they can easily get just as capable
II not more capable men and women
for these places.
Tho outstanding leaders and select
advisers Of President Harding have
pretty we'll made up their minds that
the Post ONCE Department is one
branch Of the federal service in which
fhev ara going to make a showing