Evening star., 1933-05-12
Patronage.

Postmaster James A. Farley. who IS
National Committee and the great dis
pens.r of Federal jobs in the new ad-
ministration, last night pleaded with
three hundred Democratic members Of
the House to be patient. The Postmas-
ter General explained that eventually
about 10000 places would have to be
filled by deserving Democrats 1t was,
he said, necessary to fill the key posi-
tions first, to appoint the men who will
have the directing Of the work Of ad-
miniStration before filling all the minor
places.
1t is easily understandable that the
present administration. entering upon
control of the Government in a crisis
and faced with huge problems which
had to be met Immediately, has not
had the time to give to political ap-
pointments which it could have given In
more normal times. However, the DEM
ocratic members of Congress, deluged
by thousands Of applicants for Federal
Jobs have become reStive. Much has
been published about the desire of the
administration to hold the patronage
club over the heads Of the members
until the administrations legislative
program for the special session of Con-
gress has been completed. All of this
has not tended to sweeten the disposi-
tionS of Democratic members of the
House, whose recommendations for ap-
pointment have SO far brought no re-
suits. 1t was to appease them that Mr..
Farley was brought before them In the
caucus room of the House Of1ce Build
ing. He seems to have been success
full For it Is reported that no criticizing
questions were hurled at the Postmaster
General
The new administration, bent on
cutting down the Federal expenditures
so as to bring about balanced budget,
has been in difficult spot so far as
filling Federal Office Is concerned. While
Director OF the Budget Douglas stood
with an ak in hand ready to chop
off Federal Office holders, Postmaster
General Farley has been expected to
care for the faithful Democrats. Shov-
ing them into paying places and put
ting an end to the long Democratic alb
sence from the Federal pie counter.
The activities of the budget director
have certainly not been helpful to the
chairman. of the Democratic National
Committee, no matter how useful they
may have been In seeking q balanced
budget.
The Democrats, however, may look
ahead to the promised land. 1t is true
that President Roosevelt and his Di-
rector of the Budget have been dealing
remorselessly with the Government
service, slashing here and trimming
there. In the future, indeed as soon
as the administrations program OF
| legislation has been finally enacted into
law. a new army Of Federal employees
must rise And whereas large num-
ber of the old employees now out or
on the way out are Republicans, there
is reason to believe that the new army
will be Democratic to man and
woman. When the new farm relief law
| is put into operation, the new home
mortgage law, the new Muscle Shoals
law, the new public works law are all
being administered, the Federal pay
| rolls will blossom again like the flowers
that bloom in the Spring.
Hope deferred maketh the heart grow
weary. Democratic congressional heart:
were becoming not only weary, but
restive. 1t was to allay this feeling
apparently, that Chairman Farley wa:
called upon to explain the situation te
the members of the House. The chair
man and Postmaster General has q
convincing way with him. The signs
Of revolt have faded. The admins
trations program may go forward.