Evening star., 1937-06-22
FARLEY DEFENDS
OFFICE IN MAIL ROW
Postal Head Charges Re-
public Tried to Involve US.
in Strike Dispute.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
FOLLOWING refusal OF postal au-
thorities to deliuer food BY parcel
post through picket lines OF strikers
to loyal ,Dorkers in Republic Steel
plants at Warren and Niles, Ohio.
suit 1Uas brought in District Court
to compel Postmaster General Far
ley to make these deliveries. A
Senate investigation OF the situa-
ton also is under ,pay.
ment to carry food to workers inside
picket lines at the Republic Steel
Corps strike-besiesed Warren and
Niles. Ohio. plants was defended by
Postmaster General Farley In District
Court today As justified by the haz-
Ardous conditions existing there.
His answer to the suit by Republic
for writ Of mandamus requiring mail
delivery, charged the steel corporation
with attempting to involve postal au-
thorties in the controversy between it
and its striking employees, and lacking
in good faith"
Statutes under which the Post Of
nee Department operates not only per-
NIT. but require, the Postmaster Cen
eral to exercise discretion in the ac-
ceptance and delivery of mail. Farley
stated, denying that refusal of Niles
and Warren postmasters to accept
packages Of food was arbitrary or
capricious."
Hoped to Involve Government.
Agreeing with Republic that there
have been acts Of violence during the
strike, Farley said that to furnish such
service as the steel concern demands
would require. under existing circum-
stances. additional equipment, which
the defendant has not available. and,
in addition, would expose its employees
to grave risk and danger in making
deliveries"
Applicable statutes constitute full
authority for this position, the court
was told.
Republic was attempting to use the
mails to affect deliveries Of food to its
workers which it was unable to make
itself, it was stated Farley asserted
that the mail offlces were not made
for the sole purpose Of getting sup
plies to the workers, but with the
design and ultimate real purpose Of
involving the postal authorities and
employees in the controversy between
the relator and its striking employees" !"
A statement in the Republics suit
that the postmasters at Warren and
Niles had stated postal inspector had
reached an understanding with two
union representatives that no "irregu-
lar" mail would be delivered into the
plants was vigorously denied.
Denies Non-Delivery Practice,
Farley also denied that Deputy As
sistant Postmaster General Jesse M.
Donaldson stated there was an estab-
lished practice not to deliver unusual
mail to an address at which unusual
conditions such as a strike obtained.
However, it has been the practice
Of the Postmaster General to regulate
the delivery and use of the mails
under unusually hazardous or dam
gerous conditions, the court was in
formed.
The answer was filed through Sam
E. Whitaker, Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral: United States Attorney Leslie
c. Garnett; his assistant, Harry L.
Underwood, and Karl A. Crowley, So
licitor of the Post Once Department.
The steel company has five days in
which to reply to the Government s
answer, and an additional five days
must be allowed Farley to take some
action concerning whatever reply Re-
public makes.