The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-03-22
HAYS TAKES 5000
POSTMEN BY STORM
Women Workers in \ US
Main Office Niso Cheer
PoStmaSter-Gencrai.

Three thousand postal employees in
the main Post Office here saw a real
live Postmaster General for the first
time in their lives yesterday. They
liked him and showed their apprecia-
ticn OF the declaration OF VIII II. Hays
that they might be assured Of square
deal and that no politics would be
played in the service.
1T Is not and shall not be an insti-
tuition for politics. said tie Postmas-
ter-General to the men and women Of
The service who had been gathered IN
tire main mailing room BY Postmaster
Thomas G.. Patten. II believe in civil
service. ] believe IN the fullest posi-
BILE application Of that principle. I
shall do ~! ! can to see that that prin-
cipic governs
Vi VAS learned Mr.. Hays had told a
friend he advocated a revocation Of
The Presidential order protecting all
the first class postmasters-most OF
them Democrats-covered into civil
service by the Wilson order OF 1911
lie favors this that certain adjustments
may he made and incompetents easily
weeded out. but when Ii comes TO maxi
ing appointments TO fill vacancies Mr..
Hays would have them made under the
civil service: a list established by COM
petitiye examination and the postmaster
named from the first three on that list.
Postmaster Patten. Democrat APP
pointed after his defeat for reelection to
Congress and the forcing out of Edward
NJ Morgan, a Republican. did not offer
the new Postmaster General his resig-
nation yesterday. Nothing was said
ABOUT a termination OF his term. 50
long as the Presidential order remains
In force ne Is protected and can be re-
moved only for cause.
Postmaster-Geueral Hays, who has
set out TO 'humanize" the postal service.
came from Chicago on the Twentieth
Century Limited IN the morning. He
dashed down TO headquarters OF the Re-
publican National Committee and in two
hours left enough dictation TO keep three
stenograp piers busy all the rest of the
day. After informing Postmaster Pat
ten ,lc would like - talk to. the en-
town 10 take Up personal business at
luncheon.
After 4 brief talk with Mr.. Patten the
Postmaster-Gcneral greeted the super
visory s,aff and then was escorted into
the mailing room. where more than
5000 mon and women were gathered.
Some had even climbed out on rafters
in order to sec and hear the better.
Fellow workers IN the Post office
Department. lie started orr. and the
mail handlers roared with delight. Y
was new sort Of talk for them. and they
continued 10 chow their appreciation.
They followed him out t. his car ~ the
sidewalk. cheering and fighting for
chance to grasp his hand.
The Postmaster-Gcncral told the en-
ployecs there need never be time when
they could not take IN their troubles
with him. lie purposed making every
one OF them i partner in the effort Tor
successful administration.
MY purposes are he said. first, to
make such rectification as In all decency
and fairness must be made to assure
square deal: second. TO strengthen and
broaden the civil service at every point
wherever possible 70 the end that merit
may govern: third. with absolute
fidellty TO put the entire postal service
upon purely business basis 80 sound
and 20 scryfcoablc that no political party
will ever again dare to attempt to ignore
or ovade IT,
Before returning to Washington Mr.
HAYS said he had no idea who would
succeed him as head OF the National Com
mittee.