The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-11-19
WOULD INVESTIGATE
CASE OF WILL HAYS
Senator Fletcher Wants to Probe
Charge That Postmaster Neg
Iected Ex-Service Men.

WASHINGTON. Nov 1S.-Demand
was made in the senate yesterday for
an investigation Of the charge that
Postmaster General Hays disregards
the rights of former service men in
the selection of postmasters.
senator Fletcher, of Florida. demo-
crat, brought the question before the
senate by reading a telegram he had
received from Mayor George r. Lunn,
/ of Schenectady, n. Y, which stated
that Edwin c. Condo had been nomi-
mated postmaster of Schenectady, not
/ outstanding the fact that two veter-
II ans of the world war were eligible.
lAIaror Lunn wanted to know whether
the law giving preference to former
service men in the appointment of
postmasters was still in effect. He
characterized the failure to name
former service man in Schnectady as
"a gIaring disregard Of the rights OF
former service men,
Senator Fletcher replied to Mayor
Iunn to the effect that while the DEM
ocratic administration had given pref
erence to soldiers, THE present post
master general holds the law does not
apply to postmasters.'
The senator requested that the
matter be referred to the committee
on postoffices and post roads, so that
If they FIND existing laws need amend
ment to accomplish the preference
heretofore supposed to be provided for,
they may report such amendment. The
committee is composed of ten re-
Il. g. NTer~
Lunn's telegram follows:
Schenectady, N. T.. Nov. IA, 1921.
Senator Duncan u. Fletcher.
Senate Office Building,
Washington, D. c.:
Report here that Edwin G. Condo
has been recommended for appoint
ment by Postmaster General Hays as
postmaster at Schenectady. N. X. OF
the three eligibles for appointment, two
were ex-service men. Mr.. Mcdonald,
postmaster since March, 1920, was a
Spanish war veteran. Maj. Jacob Gin
ton was a Spanish war veteran, also a
World war veteran, with distinguished
foreign service. People In Schenectady, |
regardless of party affiliations, are !
that Edwin Condo should |
be appointed over Maj. Clinton and !
Mr.. Mcdonald. Is the law giving pref |
erenec in appointment to ex-service |
men still binding? When l voted for |
war as a member Of the 65th congress
1 sincerely believed that this country |
would never deliberately turn down |
capable and efficient ex-service men |
when they We're eminently qualified |
for appointment. l believe that If con- /
firmation is withheld until all the facts
can be placed before the senate that
your distinguished body would not con-
sent to such a glaring disregard of the
rights of ex-service men, protected as
we have always thought by a definite
law. The ex-service men with whom
[ have talked appreciate your efforts
In their behalf. If you can do any
thing in this particular case it will be
appreciated.
GEORGE r. LUNN,
Mayor"
Senator Fletcher replied as follows:
Replying to your telegram, presi-
lent submitted nomination Condo to II
Senate yesterday. Democratic admins
ration gave preference to honorably II
discharged service men if qualified to
ill positions, but present postmaster
general holds act of congress does not
apply to postmasters. In Florida, an
lonorably discharged disabled service
nan, democrat and acting postmast-
II, was the only qualified eligible result
# recent competitive examination, but
postmaster general has requested COM
mission to hold another examination,
obviously so that republican, not a
service man, may qualify and be APP
'ointed. Such unjust treatment of for
ner service men by this administration
will be resented by all Americans, ir-
respective Of party affiliation."
Signed) DUNCAN U. FLETCHER"