Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-02
THORNTON TO MAKE
KEMP WAIT FOR Job
Postmaster Says He Won't oui,
Now to Make Room for
Successor
AGENTS CARRY OFF PAPERS

- Colonel George T.. Kemp will have
to wait until September 13. 1922. be-
fore he can have his job as Postmaster
of Philadelphia. according to Postmas-
Ter John A. Thornton. who says he
ron't resign.
Colonel Kemp's appointment TO the
office has not yet peen confirmed by the
Senate.
Mr.. Thornton said that investigators
from Washington had come to his Office
in his absence. taken away his per.
sonal files. check books and other valu-
ale papers and kept them for five da! 9
without his permission or knowledge.
He charged that that was done in ao
effort to get something on him.''
Mr.. Thornton bases his refusal to
resign on two reasons: First, that he
has never been asked TO resign and,
! secondly. that under ruling of the
Postmaster General, Postmasters whose
appointment had been confirmed by the
Senate and had served efficiently would
be allowed to serve out their terms.
Asked for Assistants Resignation
Mr.. Thornton also declared that the
Investigators had asked for the resig-
nation Of John Lister, Assistant Post
maetcr, on charges that Mr.. Lister did
not give his personal supervision to the
various Postofice departments. Mr..
Thornton called those charges false and
ridiculous.
II don't intend to resign" Mr..
Thornton said last night. Il will ten
der my resignation on September Is,
1922. There is my commission hanging
on the wall. Their efforts to get some
thing on me had the same success as n
toy balloon that is stuck with pin. 1t
went 'plunk.
"For three weeks, three postal in
spectors, who represented themselves as
an investigating committee, were work
ing in the PoStoffice. They claimed that
l was religiously biased becaus" they
thought / had appointed too many Cath
olics in the PostOfficc. That charge is
untrue ms ] have hecn fair to all nN-
tionalitics and creeds.
Went Over Cash Accounts
"Thc estigntors examined the
money order division. the cashiers di
vision and our banking system and in
! fact every branch Of the department and
they found everything in tiptop- shape.
Failing to find anything in an cN-
animation of my papers they suggested
the resignation Of Mr.. Lister. II man
who has faithfully performed his duty
! and has been conscientious worker.
! They stated that he did not give the
department mis- personal supervision
whatever that may mean.
There hav" been no politics played
! in this office" Mr.. Thornton said. mo
such things as political assessments.
told the men If they wanted to give
anything to any organization that was
! their lookout.
! "Whcn the Republicans secured con-
trol of the Senate they held up the
Wilson appointments, and when the Adj
ministratiOn went out of power those
oficcholders who were not confirmed by
! the Senate went out. too. ! am not one
of them" Mr.. Thornton concluded.
! What action are YOU going to take
in rcfr encc TO those papers being taken
from your 0ffcp?" he was asked.
"Thc boys who took them had nice
time, ! suppose" Mr.. Thornton said
with laugh. $50 why bother them
They were probably ObCyng orders"