New Britain herald., 1923-11-08
VETERAN MEMBER OF
 ELKS IS OPPOSED
May Not Be Confirmed as Bed-
 lord, Va, Postmaster
BY GEORGE II. MANNING

Washington Bureau of New Britain Herald) Washington, D. C., Nov. S.-Elks throughout Connecticut are expected
 to have peculiar personal-or fra
 ternai-interest in at least one con-
 troversy which is expected to come before the senate when congress
 meets next month, when an attempt
 Will be made to prevent the confirma :
 ton Of H. NJ. Stowe, 8 70-year old in-
 mate of the National Home of the
 E. P. O. l.. at Bedford, Va, as post
 master of that town.
 Although Mir Stowe is an Elk of good standing and character, and an old boyhood friend of the late Presi- dent Harding, who appointed him act ing postmaster at Bedford last April, the citizens of Bedford are reported to be preparing to take their fight to the senate chiefly on the ground that Stowe is not a resident of Bedford. but of Marion, Ohio, where he and Harding were raised together. The Virginia senators have been called on for their aid in blocking Stowes ap- pointment, which was made by an executive order setting aside the civil service rules after an examination had been held and Floyd Gray, Bedford republican Of good standing in the community recommended for the posi- tion, which pays s2,100 a year.
 As soon as it was learned in Bed ford that Stowe had been appointed the townspeople waved wrathy; held an indignation meeting and appointed committee to come to Washington 10 protest to the president. President Harding quickly checked the protest, however. when he firmly told tho Nir- ginia senators and congressman who sought to arrange an appointment for thc protesting delegation that he in- tended to stand firmly on tho appoint mCnt Of his old friend and frHternal hrotbcr, and that no delegation would bc received.
 Although the usual course to be followed in case Of this character would be for the president to forward Mr. Stoves nomination to the senate Tor confirmation as soon as it meets in December, the step might be con- vcnicntly overlooked for weeks, months or years, while Stowe com tinues 10 serve as acting postmaster under the commission issued by the late President Harding.
 It is extremely doubtful that Presi- dent Coolidge, who has pledged him self to carry out the program Of his predecessor. and is retaining all Of former President HardinG's cabinet and bureau chiefs in the service, will take any step which might endapgor the incumbcncy of MT. Stowe, the close old d-time personal friend Of the late president Tho president will very likely be encouraged to hold 10 that position by Mr. Slcmp. his secrc- tary. and close friend of the former who as patronage super lisor Of Virginia put aside the re- publican chosen by tho citizens of Bedford for their postmaster in favor Of the Elk.
 Very substantial objections 10 MT. Stowe will be needed to induce a ma iority Of the senate to reject his nom nation under the unusual circum- stances attached 10 his appointment, More than a majority of the members sr the senate ars Elks themselves. It ptr require moro than the mere word of Senators Glass and Swanson that Stowe is not wanted by the people of Bedford to put him out Of office.