New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-07-11
QUERY IN
WASHINGTON NOW
Committee Ready to Leave
Georgia After Examinations

Atlanta, July II P--With few
witnesses remaining to be heard
here, the senate committee investi-
eating alleged irregularities in ad-
ministration of post office patron
age by the republican organization
in Georgia was ready to transfer its
activities temporarily to Washing
ton.
Senator Smith W. Brookhart, re-
publican, Iowa, said the Georgia
hearing would be closed during the
day and that the committee next
would meet in Washington to hear
Postmaster General New before pro-
ceeding with hearings in other
states where complaints similar to
those in Georgia have arisen.
Meanwhile, with Mrs. Mabel Wal.
ker Willdebra ndt, assistant L. S. at
torney general, en- route to Biloxi
Miss, to ask grand jury investiga-
ton OF charges in that state, the
committee said 1t would watch the
proceedings closely and follow up
With its own inquiry soon.
Paid ) Per Cent
A few postmasters were among
the witnesses before the committee
yesterday. One postmaster related
how he had paid five per cent of his
salary to the state central commit
tee. Another witness declared he
was asked $500 for reappointment
for his wife as postmistress at Ball
Ground, Ga.
S. NJ. Thompson of East Point
WAS the postmaster who said he
paid regularly five per cent Of his
income until a year ago. He paid it
willingly because he believed it the
duty Of an office holder to support
his party" he said, but admitted
that he did not think postmaster
could hold his job unless he did con-
tribute. A party had to be run like
any other business" he said.
Miss Esther McCollum. postmis-
tress at Conyers, Ga, told the COM
mittee that she was a republican
and believed it her duty to con-
tribute to party funds. She said she
had contributed about 500 annual
ly but declared she never had been
assessed or solicited.
Knew Nothing
Roscoe Pickett, chairman of the
state central committee, on the
stand said he knew nothing OF any
alleged plan for assessments and
had not collected or authorized the
collection of any funds. So far as he
knew, money received by the treas
urer came as voluntary donations,
he said.
The chairman denied Treasurer
John W. Martins testimony that he
received a salary Of $3.50 month.
He also denied the estimate by Mar
tin that monthly expenses OF the
state organization included salaries
ranged between $1,000 and $1,000
monthly. asserting that il would not
average over $500.
The committee grilled Pickett Sc
yerely about the card index kept by
Martin showing that many postmas-
ters maintained monthly payment OF
fixed amounts. The chairman said
he could not say why the postal EN-
ployes contributed specific amounts.
So far as he knew no one had ad-
vised them. assessed them or col
1ected from them.
Return Money
Ben J. Davis who was dethroned
as national committeeman at the
Kansas City convention. came into
the picture again yesterday when
the committee put into the record
letter written by him to the treas
urer ADJ Using that contribution
from sn unsuccessful applicant for
post office be returned.
"N e cannot accept money from
an applicant who confesses that
money was given on his part out OF
contribution for an appointment,
the letter advised the treasurer