The Penn's Grove record., 1923-11-02
Mullins Clothing Store
WILMINGTON
sALEMS POST OFFICE SITE

! To Whom 1t May Concern:
| have considered it advisable to ac-
quaint the public with my side of the
matter concerning the Post Office site
in Salem. l feel it is my duty to eX-
plain to the people the true facts IN
this affair. My property was sold to
the government upon the written
agreement that l was to occupy the
premises at a nominal rental until 90
days of the time when the government
would begin constructing the building
This was a part of the consideration
for the conveyance of the property
and the agreement is fully and definit-
ly in writing, signed by both parties
to the transaction. After the trans
fer of the title, the matter of what
constituted nominal rental was deter
mined by the parties and that also re-
duced to writing.
For some reason have never
known that certain political clique
in Salem determined to Oust me from
possession by an orginized secret
propaganda of falsehoods, circulating
every conceivable story that would be
harmful. AS to my relations to the
property they threatened my tenants
with dire consequences if they did not
vacate. They caused to be published
repeatedly in the newspapers untrue
and damaging articles concerning me.
They attempted to obtain, and in some
cases partially succeeded in obtaining,
adverse resolutions from certain civic
bodies in this city purely by means
of untrue, and often scurrilous tales
concerning myself and my occupancy
of the property. They finally succeed
ed in having the authorities at Wash
ington serve notice on me to vacate
In doing this they used the political
influence of men high in office by de-
ceiving them as to the truth of every
essential particular.
They were so secret in their actlv-
tiles against me. l never dreamed |
had an enemy until they had actually
obtained an order for my removal at
Washington. If all the tricks,
schemes and letters which they have
resorted to in this matter were put in
public print and explained in detail
the conscientious people of Salem
would be astounded.
This notice to move | shall obey but
under protest. l have. called the
attention of the government to the
fact that | held possession under writ
ten agreement. Also more than once
! have succeeded in having the order
rescinded, but my enemies manage to
obtain their satisfaction by shifting
attack before some different Junction
ary who, ignorant of the true facts, re
issues the same order 10 vacate. |
have made every effort possible to
stand on my rights and protect my
tenants. All this has been very eX-
pensive to me, and as | am man of
limited means | am not able to further
fight the organized political clique
OF course. the government will have
to pav for taking my rights from me.
This is guaranteed to me under the
constitution and I am advised the pro
ceedings are very simple. But the
shameful part of this whole thing Is
these unpatriotic political mongers
will not only be the cause of the dam
ages coming out of the public treas
try but will also be responsible fol
practically the financial ruin Of az
honest hardworking mechanic and
tenant with a large family, everything
he has in the world invested IN his
business, being completely driver
out of the city, his means of livelihood
crippled and making great sacrifice
with no consideration being shown us
whatever. These persons have done
this thing knowingly and wilfully, an'
I barely refrain from publishing thei1
names.
If any one doubts that my use of th'
property was not reserved to me il
nv contract of sale to the government
would and always have been onl!
too clad to show the actual writings.
Very truly,
Benjamin F. Be-