Evening star., 1937-05-30
FARLEY Mobiles
AIDES, RICH SAYS
Seeks to Perfect 0rganiza.
ton of Postmasters, Re.
publican Charges.

IouoUU SuDOTulndte pOSIdl WORKERS Is
being perfected" by Postmaster Gen.
eral James A. Farley, chairman OF
the Democratic National Committee,
through Ibis State lieutenants" Rep
resentative Rich of Pennsylvania, Re-
publican, charged last night.
In support of his charge-which he
means to carry to the floor of the
House-Mr. Rich produced a letter
allegedly written by David L. Law
renee, Democratic State chairman,
urging Pennsylvania postmasters to
become members of the National AS
sociation of Postmasters and the PENN
sylvania State Association OF Post
masters-with particular emphasis on
the later. The letter follows:
Harrisburg. Pa.
May S, 1887.
My Dear Postmaster:
Postmaster General James A. Far
ley, United States Senator Joseph F.
Guf1ey and myself are interested in
having you become a member of the
National Association of Postmasters
and the Pennsylvania State Associa-
ZION Ol 1OSlmdSCerS.
Your intereSt-and the interests of
all postmasters-can best be served
only by strong organization. There
fore I cannot too firmly urge the i'm
portance of you becoming member.
l am advised that a bill for men,
bership dues has been sent you by
the Hon. Ramsey S. Black, secretary
and treasurer. Harrisburg, Pa. would
suggest that you send your remittance
for dues without further delay and
shall be interested in noting the re-
suit of this membership campaign.
Sincerely yours,
DAVID L. LAWRENCE,
Chairman, Democratic State Com
mittee
Lawrence is. in addition to being
Democratic State chairman. secretary
of Commonwealth in the cabinet of
Gov. Earle and Earle is Democratic
national committeeman for the State
Senator GuFey is recognized as the
Democratic boss of the Keystone State,
once Republican stronghold.
Says Farley Is Interested"
"The letter" said Rich. states
is interested in the current mem
bership drive of the National Asso-
ciation of Postmasters.
How does it come about" Rich
continued that the State chairman
of the Democratic party has been
advised that a bill for membership
dues has been sent to each postmaster
in Pennsylvania? What legitimate
interest can these Democratic party
leaders have in strong organization
OF the postmasters? Under what au-
thority is the name of the Postmaster
General of the United States used in
this effort to effect the political mob
ilization of the entire postal service?
Why was such a letter sent to the
postmasters of Pennsylvania one week
before the recent special congress
sional election in the eighteenth
tPennsylvania) district, held on May
1l?"
Rich said that he expected to ask
the answers to these and other ques-
tlons on Wednesday, when he has
unanimous consent to address the
House
Rich added that in June a year
ago, Representative Halleck OF In
diana presented conclusive evil
dence' that campaign funds had been
collected by postmasters in several
States.
History of Association.
The National Association of Post
masters is one OF two organizations
of many years standing, formed to
advance the interests of postmasters.
In such instance, for example, as
where legislation is sought. Original
ly it was said here last night, it was
designed to include postmasters of
f1rst and second class Offices total
ing about 1000, and located in the
principal cities of the country Now,
1t was said, it seks members from
the smaller third and fourth clas Of
f1ceS, whose heads have been affilat-
Ing with the League of District Post
masters
The Rich charges are at least an
indication that there is a political
campaign in the making, the con-
gressional campaign of 1888, when all
members of the House and one-third
Of the membership Of the Senate are
up for reelection.
Postmaster General Farley has been
away from Washington, on swing
about the country, dedicating new
post office buildings and making
speeches. Many of his recent speeches
have been in support Of the Presi-
dents bill to revamp the Supreme
Court. He has urged all Democrats
to get behind the President in this
hight, building fires back home under
the Democratic Senator's who have
dehed the President on this measure.
Some OF the Democratic Senators
insist, privately, that in their opinion,
President Roosevelt has lost ground
IN the country and with the people in
recent months. They even 20 so far
as to predict that by this time next
year, he will have lost much more.
Their predictions may be colored by
their own situations. knowing that
they may have to run for denomination
with the administration actively hos
tile to them.