Evening star., 1947-09-02
LANCER Seeking Way
To Take Politics Out Of
Choice Of Posfmasters
By The Asseeiossd Press

N. Oak, is trying to find some way
to take politics out Of all postmaster
appointments" as head Of special
$35, 900 Senate investigation into the
patronage system.
The chairman of the Senate Civil
Service Committee told a reporter
yesterday the special inquiry to date
shows that many appointments are
clearly against the intent of the law,
that Democrats have been nomi-
mated regardless of grades in civil
service examinations, and that when
Republicans ranked first in these
tests new exams usually have been
requested"
At the same time, Senator LANCER
said, "very few" Of 135 postmaster
nominations delayed by the special
investigation will require public
hearings"
Caused Sharp Fight.
Most of them can be settled by
investigation will Require public
a hearing" he said.
The postmaster investigation
touched of one of the sharpest
Democratic Republican fights dur
ing the recent session of Congress.
1t was approved finally BY Ass
rollcall vote that closely followed
party lines.
Senator LANCER, with support OF
the Republican ma ajority on his COM
mittee and Senate Republican
leaders, delayed Senate confirma-
ton on more than 1000 postmaster
nominations by President Truman
for months until the Senate agreed
to the investigation and provided
$35, 600 for it.
Senator Hayden, Democrat, OF
Arizona, veteran Democrat who led
opposition to the postmaster probe,
said yesterday he would delay COM
ment until Senator LANCER has filed
his report, which is due before next
January IS.
Senator Hayden told the Senate
the postmaster investigation would
be perfect waste Of time and public
money" and Senator Lucas, Demo-
crat,. of Illinois, said the real rea-
son" for the inquiry was to add II
employees to the staff of the LANCER
committee.
Answer Il the Same.
Senator LANCER said he wanted to
find out why few If any Repubh-
cans" had been named to first,
second or third class postmaster
ships during the period 1933-47.
democrats replied that the answer
was the same as why SO few Demo-
Gratis got to be postmasters when
Republicans were in control.
Under existing laws the Civil Serv-
ice Commission hold examinations
for postmaster vacancies and lists
the three standing highest. Usually
the Post once Department then con-
suits the members Of Congress from
the district where the vacancy exists,
or If he Is not Of the Presidents
party, the Senator Of the State or
national committeeman, before a
nomination goes from the White
House to the Senate.
President Wilson, o Democrat, linn
tied appointments to only the top
ranking man in examinations, but
President Harding reinstated the
"one of three" plan and other Presi-
dents since then have followed this
system, except for q brief period
under President Franklin D. Roose-
velt. e. ~ -
Congress Removed Limit.
In 1898, when Democrats were In
control, Congress removed the four
year limit on postmaster appoint
ment and Senator Langer and other
Republicans complain this "fro7e"
Democrats In the jobs for life.
! Senator LANCER said he has con-
Quoted three public hearings on post
master appointments at Oak Park
and Benton, ILL.,, and Marshall, Tex.
President Truman sent 1885 post
master nominations to the Senate
during the recent session. OF these,
s35 were confirmed after the special
inquiry was approved, 116 were with
drawn by the White House, and 234
were not acted on when Congress
adjourned.
Senator LANCER said that 90 Of
these were delayed on personal re-
quest of Senators rather than be-
cause of the special investigation.
Normally an objection BY q Senator
delays any postmaster appointment
H.. -.