The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-01
FARLEY GREAT
POSTAL CHIEF,
BUT POLITICS.
Democratic Boss Damned
With Praise by Rep.
Ludlow.
BY DANIEL VI. KIDNEY
Times SIAN Writer

Times SIAN Writer
WASHINGTON, Feb. Genial
James a. Farley's role Of consum-
mate politician Is Just an anti-Ad-
ministration myth, despite the fact
that he Is both national and New
York Democratic party chairman.
What he really is, according to
Rep. Louis Ludlow ID. Indianap-
oiisJ, Is just a great big business
mar AID the greatest postmaster
general since Benjamin Franklin.
That, in brief, is the tribute the
Hoosler Congressman pays to Mr.
Farley in an extension of his House
remarks in the Congressional Record.
Basing his views on his own ex-
perience, Rep. Ludlow doesn't be-
heve that the postmaster general
ever plays politics At last. he never
has played any with Rep. Ludlow.
Lost POstmastership
In patronage matters. Mr.. Far
ley and 1 have not clicked" the In
oianapOlis Representative admits.
He took away from me my one pet
eve lamb, the pOstmastership Of In
dianapolis. and turned it into the
corral Of my genial friend, the SEN
ior Senator from Indiana Frederick
Van NuyS) on the theory that a
Senator is entitled to name the
postmaster Of his home city"
AT this point in his remarks IN
the House, Rep. Francis D. Culkin
Or ". " inquired:
DO the gentleman's conciliatory
remarks mean that he is trying 10
get the pOstof1ce back?"
This Mr.. Ludlow promptly denied.
7 have always regarded that as
bum theory" he continued. IF
I am ever elected to the Senate. I
may think more of it: but for the
present I disapprove Of it.
Turned Down Again
Then, after the Home Loan Bank
Board had voluntarily graciously
and kindly, and on its own initia-
tive, invited me 10 name the man.
ager Of the Hole at Indianapolis.
and, in my perfect innocence, I had
appointed and notified the man of
my choice, Mr.. Farley waved his
magic wand and presto. the ap-
pointment was turned over to the
same genial friend, and 1 was not
allowed even TO name the attorneys
and appraisers for my district
which were the humble crumbs that
fell TO all Congressman in that pat
ronage shOWer-all of which /
thought was in violation of the i'm
mutable principles of justice, to say
nothing of the Constitution and the
bill of rights.
When I pleaded with Mr.. Farley
to appoint a wonderful Negro man
of my district as minister to Haiti.
a white man from a PARKWAY state
got the job.
AT the beginning of this Admin
jstration I submitted a preferred list
OF appointments. and it was given
preferred place in a pigeonhole, /
where It still maintains its prefer
enCial status. The dust on it is
thick and getting thicker.
Praises Postal Record
I cite these facts merely to show
that the economiums I intend to
hand the PostOffice Department are
not inspired by any patronage lar
CESS heretofore bestowed or by the
hope of any patronage largess yet
to come. as all the appointments in
which I was especially interested
have been filed"
With that buildup. Mr. Ludlow
then launched into high praise of
the Farley figures showing a u
milliOn-dOllar surplus for the fiscal
year 1884. He denied that this was
done by mere bookkeeping. as
some Republicans have charged. and
Contended it was the result of rigid
economy and Farley efficiency.
He likewise paid tribute to the
Farley assistants in the department
and termed the Farley postoff1ce
administration history IAN enthrau-
ing story"
Critics of Postmaster General
Farley may abuse him. if they like.
for alleged political atrocities"
Rep. Ludlow concluded. that is
their funeral.
But. if they examine the record,
as I have done. and are only half
way fair, they will have to admit
that. as postmaster general. Mr..
Farley is doing an excellent job"
The Saraha desert. several thou
sand miles away. was found 10 be
the source Of dust falling in Great
Britain during a recent storm.