The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-18
EX-SERVICE MEN
GET UNFAIR DEAL
Were Disseminated Against in Many
Instances in Selection of
Postmasters.
(BY BERNARD LINTHlcuM.)
Especial Correspondenee.l

AAte@NNSA VI appointments ~ POot4A4SloAC
ships continue to multiply.
Here are the known facts in his at
tempt to "humanize" the postoffice at
Petersburg, Tenn, a third class post
office:
Following an examination for post
master the civil service commission
certified the following eligibles:
| l. Cornelius C. London, honorably
discharged ex-service man, overseas
service, with a rating of SLAB.
2. James NJ. Hart, honorably dis
charged ex-service man, with a record
Of 1898.
! 8. VIII F. Sherwood, local repubn-
| can politician, with rating of 1868:
I London and Hart are reputed to be
gentlemen of the highest character and
| integrity, of exemplary habits, both of
excellent families, and with first-class
standing in the community. London is
i a democrat and Hart a republican. I'm
der the soldiers preference law, as
! construed and administered by the
! Wilson administration, they are both
entitled to preference over Sherwood,
and under another ruling by President
Wilson the one with the highest rat
ing would have received the eppoint-
ment.
Under the ruling by President Har-
ding, as administered by his postmaster
general, making the highest three on
the list eligible, and declaring that the
soldiers preference act does not apply
to the appointment of postmasters. Mr..
Sherwood, the republican civilian and
the lowest man of the three. has been
nominated by President Harding for
the office It is understood that Sher-
woods appointment was recommended
by John w. Overall, the republican ma
tional committeeman from Tennessee,
who is charged with receiving money
from applicants for appointments under
the post office department, which
charge is the subject OF a resolution
for an investigation now in the hands
of the senate committee on post offices
and post roads. The charges and the
known facts in the Overall case We're
stated in a speech by Senator Mcclellan
in the senate chamber August II, 1921,
and are contained in a Congressional
Record beginning on page 5316.
A further examination of this case
shows that sherwood does not even
reside in the same county in which
Petersburg is located. Petersburg is
chiefly in Lincoln county and partly in
Marshall county, but the "humanizing"
influences were extended to Bedford
county where the republican nominee
resides.
Citizens Protest Discriminatory APP
pointment.
Another post office that Postmaster
General Hays is attempting to human
ize" is Old Albuquerque, n. NJ. The
postmaster is Charles Mann, Jr., who
was appointed some years ago. Prior to
the last election his name was sub
mitted to the senate for reappoint
ment, but no action was taken. An ex-
J animation was held on August 81, last,
under the executive order of May 10,
1921, with the following result:
| Charles Mann, Jr, 96.4o; Menard L..
Albers, $685. Solomon, Hernandez,
1915.
! Although Mr.. Mann IS an ex-service
man and was nearly IA points ahead
of his nearest competitor, on Nov. 10
Mr. Albers was nominated for postmas-
ter and his confirmation is now pend
ing. The only apparent reason for this
nomination is that Mr.. Mann, the ex-
service man, is a democrat, and Mr.. Al
beers, the civilian appointee, rating way
below Mann, is a republican and had
! the endorsement of the republican con-
! gresham.
| The effect of Postmaster General
Hays Illuminating efforts in this ap-
pointment is shown by the fact that
h -s4
zens of old Albuquerque have protested
against Alber's appointment.
Civil Service Spurned in Dayton co.
Appointment.
The executive orders of President
Harding declaring that the soldiers
preference law does not apply in the
appointment of presidential postmas-
tiers and making any one of the highest
three on the civil service list eligible
for appointment, have not only result
ed in determinations against ex-ser-
vice men, but they strike at the root
and principle of the civil service law.
i It is seemingly the purpose of the adj
ministration to appoint only republic
cans to misunderstanding regardless of
the ratings secured by applicants for
their service in the army or navy.
An illustration Of the extent to
which politics is figuring in presiden-
tial postmasterships is that at Dayton,
Ohio, which has become, according to
the Dayton News. "a national scandal"
which may become the subject OF a
congressional inquiry. TT is a nasty
mess" says the Dayton News, and
adds: ''The president of the United
States has no business being mixed up
In it."
The former postmaster there is For
rest L. May, one time president OF the
National Postmasters association, with
many years OF service IN the postoffice
department, who had worked himself
up from a minor position. When the
postmaster,s term expired, DR.. L. c.
weimer was made acting postmaster.
the order coming by telegraph. In an
examination held August 10. with II
applicants. DR.. Weimer, a weIl-known