South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-06

That less than one-half OF the presto ,ntia postmas-
ters appointed by Pres't Wilson. his order OF
81 1917 applying the non-partisan civil service
their selection is the OF the civil service
commission to the claim Of republicans current in
Washington, that the has been -conscien-
tiousy administered" that therefore Pres't
c. Harding be justified in revokng the order
and removing the Wilson appointees from their jobs.
Republican determination the presidential
posmasterships the "spOils system has been evil
dent in the dispatches since the election. and IT
been that the first official acts of
president will be the OF 200 900
democratic heads" among which presidential post
rnssterships dealt under this order will be
ception. "Wilsonan lnsncerity and unfairness" is
given the excuse.
Local Condition Involved.
South Bend is Interested because here one OF
instances where appointment OF republican on rec
concentration OF the civil service commission. a
matter OF much comment following the resignation Of
Postmaster George W. Zinky. John II. Hunter former
posoffce Inspector, republican. the successful
competitor for the place. and received the appoint
from the president without question his
politics the republicans for the spOils
system" it that locally there is foot
movement republican circles to have Postmaster
Hunter removed doubling his republcanism merely by
the fact that he accepted the appointment at Prest
Wilson'S hands.
An investigation in washington develops that despite
republican charge that the Wilson order had not
seen conscientiously administered the postofhce
partment has OF the political afhliaton of
the successful candidates appointed under the order
and the civil service commission TO ascertain whether
it's Recommendations has been adhered
II
determined to take the case to the posmasters them
selves. appointed under the order. and ascertain
from them their party affiliations.
To ascertain just how the application Of the civil
service principle has IN eliminating partisan
ship establishing service the standard of fitness
for appointment the following letter was on Feb. r.
1921 addresses postmasters who APP
pointed under this system:
Letter AppOintees
con March 81 1917. the president issued a
ecutfve order whereby appointments to presi-
open competitive examination. the
being certified by the civil service commission TO
the postmaster general who submitted TO the
president the name OF the highest qualified eligible
for appointment unless it established that the
character residence applicant dsquaIi-
fed him for appointment
I'm accordance with this order you were sp-
pointed postmaster. the appointment being based
solely on merit, shown ny the result OF the
animation. n is claimed by that
ing these appointments the department has shown
discrimination for political reasons. depart
ment is without knowledge OF the political affla-
tions OF those appointed under the executive order
as politics was not considered II viii be 20 the
interest OF the service 70 demonstrate that there
has been impartial administration OF this order.
As all appointments have been submitted TO the
SSenate. Il not affect the selection or appoint
fnent OF anyone and in order enable the depart
20 answer this charge. which is unfounded.
will state in the space below your political
hIiatiors.
'It is not desired to know how you voted in any
particular election or whether voted for any
particular candidate. but the party with which YOU
usually affiliate"
Three Points Attack
There have been three points attack upon Re
postoffce department in effort the
certify Of the presidents order applying the service
principle 10 the appointment presidential post
The FIRST allegation that the eligible having he
highest standing aside OF lower
standing appointed where party politics could
by the attack This charge disposed by citation
Of the record which showed that Of 1850 appoint
then made, 1,454 had gone persons whose
names appeared FIRST the eligible list submitted by
civil service commission. that the first
eligibIes appointed it because Of their
death, declinaton some disability.
Matter Of E1-Scrvicc Men
The next accusation that the posofhce de-
arnent failed recognize the preference given TO
service men under the law. In response 10 a resou-
submitted list showing the names applicants
for offices who passed succes-fuiy
ton the civil service commission. Applicants
certified the commission entitled preference on
account military service having been
the for confirmation the department appointed
either first eligfbies he preference
eifgibIes according TO the demands the
hest interest Of the service.
The postmaster generals reply hts gives
. list OF nominations 20 the senate, not
confirmed. who entitled 20 preference for milf
t,ry service. 90 OF the nominees being