The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-12-15

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-In Post
master General Hays's great and
grand plan for "humanizlng" the
Post Office Department, instances III
determination against cX-serVlce
men in the matter Of appointments
TO misunderstanding continue to lnrl-
tiply. -.
Here are the known facts in his
attempt to "humanize" the Post OF
fee at Petersburg, Tenn. third
class office:
Following an examination for post
master. the Civil Service Commission
certified the following eligibles:
FIRsT-Cornelius c. London
honorably discharged ex-serVlce man.
overseas service, with rating OF
S1.43 per cent.
SECOND-James NJ. HART-hon-
orably discharged ex-service man
with a record of 1888 per cent.
THIRD-Will F. Sherwood Local
Republican politician with rating
OF 1858 per cent.
London and Hart are reputed to
be gentlemen of the highest charac-
ter and integrity, of exemplary
habits. both of excellent families,
and with first class standing in that
community. London is Democrat
and Hart a Republican. Under the
Soldier Preference Law las constru-
ed and administered by the Wilson
administration they are both entltl-
ed over Sherwood and under an,
other ruling by President Wilson the
one with the highest rating would
have received the appointment.
Under the ruling by President
Harding, as administered by his Post
master General, making the hlgnes1
three on the list eligible, and declar-
ing that the Soldiers Reference ACT
does not apply to the appointment OF
nostmasters, Mr.. Sherwood, the Re
publican civilian and the lowest OF
the three has been nominated by
President Harding for the othce. IL
is understood that SherWood's ap-
pointment was recommended by John
w. Overall, the Republican Nation
al 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 Com
| mittee on Post Offices and Post
Roads. The charges and the known
facts in the Overall case were stated
| in a speech by Senator Mcclellan in
| the Senate Chamber August II, 1871
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
I Petersburg is located. Petersburg
! is chiefly in Lincoln County and part
| ly in Marshall County, but the hui
| nanizing" influences were extended
| o Bedford County where the Re-
| publican nominee resides.
Citizens Protest Appointment
Another post office that Postmas-
| er General Hays is undertaking to
'humanize" is Old Albuquerque, N.
| lex The postmaster is Charles
| lam, Jr., who was appointed some
| ears ago. Prior to the last election
| lis name was submitted to the Sen
| tie for reappointment, but no action
| vas taken. An examination was held
| IN August 27 last under the execu-
! i've order of May 10, 1921, with the
GLOWING result:
Charles Mann, Jr., 96.40; Menard
:. Albers, 1888; Solomon Hern-
ndes 58.15.
Although Mr. Mann is an ex-ser-
ice man and was nearly fourteen
] Joints ahead of his nearest compet1-
/ tor, on Nov. Is, Mr.. Albers was
nominated for postmaster and his
| confirmation is now pending. The
/ only apparent reason for this nomi-
nation is that Mr.. Mann the ex-ser-
vice man. is Democrat and Mr.. Al
bers, the civilian appointee-rating
way below Mann, is a Republican
and had the endorsement Of the Re
publican Congressman.
The effect of Postmaster General
Hays "humanizing" efforts in this
appointment is shown by the fact
that over one hundred Of the lead
ing citizens of Old Albuquerque
have protested against Alber's ap-
pointment.
/ Civil Service Spuined In Dayton.
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 resulted in determinations
arainst ex-service men but they
strike at the root and principle of
he evil service law. 1t is seeming
y the purpose of the administration
~ ornoint onlv RenuhIicanS TO DOSt
3aasterships regardless of the ratings
secured by applicants for their ser
Vi in the army or navy.