The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-24
EX-SERVICE MEN
RISE IN WRATH
Protest Alleged Discrimination
Against Soldiers in Appoint
ment of Postmaster.
HOT AFTER BURLES0N
National Executive Committee
Requests Wilson to Declare
Nashville Office Vacant.

Washington, March 24.-(Special.)
"A resolution charging Postmaster
General Burleson with violation OF
law. regulations and presidential ex-
ecutive order in the Nashville post
office appointment and calling upon
President Wilson ito rectify this in
Justice and discrimination by declar-
ing vacant the office of postmaster
at Nashville, Tenn, and by directing
that the name OF the highest eligible
as determined by the civil service
commission he forthwith submitted
for confirmation" was adopted by the
conference of the national executive
committee OF the American Legion
In session here yesterday.
The resolution, which was offered
by Col Harry S. Berry, state com
mander for Tennessee, was adopted
unanimously amid applause. The
discussion over the resolution brought
out that there were several other
cases where the postofice depart
mont has Disseminated against the
ex-service men, but the Nashville
case was conceded to be perhaps the
most fragrant instance. Members of
the committee from several other
states supported Col. Berry's declara-
ton that the ex-service men were
NV btbbihB u buudTS ubdl ana men,
tened specific cases.
A special committee was appointed
by the conference to take whatever
steps are necessary to rectlfy the
wrong done the soldiers. This COM
mittee consists OF Alexander Fitz-
hugh, OF Mississippi. chairman; AL
bert Linxwiler, Missouri, and Harry
s. Berry, Tennessee.
Appeals to Congress,
The resolution specifically calls upon
congress TO take such measures al
may be necessary TO secure for ex-
service men and women the benefits
now provided for them In law, regu-
| lation and executive order" IL is un-
| derstood that resolution will probably
| be introduced In congress calling for a
| complete investigation of all the cir
cumstanoes connected with the Nash
| vile postoHice appointment and some
| OF the other cases brought out yester-
| cay. The resolution adopted by the le-
gion Is as follows:
Whereas, under the civil service
| laws, regulations and executive orders
| and also under the Interpretation Of
said laws, regulations and orders by
attorney-genera OF the United States,
the sole power to determine qualiflca-
tons Character and residence ex-
oepted) OF postal employees Ia vested in
the civil service commission; and.
| whereas, II Is made mandatory by
presidential executive order that the
postmaster general submit TO the pres
icent the name OF the highest eligible
certified to him by the civil service
commissioner; and,
/ Whereas, the civil service COM
mission under the soldiers prefer
ence provisions OF the revised statutes
certified the name OF an ex-service man
as tho highest qualified eligible for the
position OF postmaster at Nashville
| Tenn, and.
"Whereas, tho postmaster general, In
violation Of law, regulation and ereou-
tive order not only failed TO submit tC
| the president the name OF the highest
certified eligible but, on the contrary
substituted therefor the name OF an.
other applicant not entitled to the ben.
ems ot the soldiers preference law
and,
Whereas, two requests for n hearing
in this case were made upon the post.
master general by officials OF the Amer.
lean Legion, the first of which was ig-
norod and tho second denied: and,
whereas, Immediately following n
request for a hearing this nomination
was rushed through the senate within
twenty-four hours after the preseuta-