Evening star., 1947-11-27
The Political Min
Donaldson Appointment
Has Its Political Side
Postmaster General, a Career Man,
Is Well Known Throughout Nation
Bv Gould Lincoln

At long last . career man In the postal
service has been appointed Postmaster General.
The cabinet post which has been handed over
time and again to a chief political lieutenant
and adviser OF the President Of the United
States irrespective Of party, now goes to man
who actually knows the postal business from
to z. President Truman's new Postmaster
General Is Jesse M. Donaldson. Forty years
ago he was letter carrier and postal clerk.
More recently he has been chief postal IN
spector and First Assistant Postmaster General
The speed with which Postmaster General
Hannegan's resignation was accepted by the
President and the most unusual speed with
which his successor was appointed caught the
general public by surprise. For year or more
1t had been rumored that Mr.. Harnegan would
resign from his dual ofices-Democratic ma
tional chairman and Postmaster General-be-
cause OF i'll health. A month ago he did relin-
quish the national craftsmanship went
then to Senator McGrath Of Rhode Island.
But he hung on to the cabinet office.
Must Have Had Notice.
The President must have had ample notice
of Mr.. Hannegan's plans to join in syndicate
and to head (which is buying the st. Louis
Cardinals. And so the President was able to
make plans for appointing Mr.. Donaldson.
Edwin w. Pauley, California oil operator, one
time treasurer of the Democratic National
Committee, whom the President appointed
Undersecretary Of the Navy but who was not
confirmed by the Senate, Is one of those re-
ported in the syndicate which is taking over
the Cardinals. Mr.. Pauley travelled with the
Postmaster General when he went west last
summer for rest and to Hawaii
If there is any political significance in the
ratirep,apt nf Mr. Hapneoop from thu ohinet
it is not admitted by those in position to
know. Mr.. Hannegan was a strong sponsor
Of Mr.. Truman for the vice presidential nomi-
nation in 1914 and helped to put his fellow Mis-
sourian in Office. Mr.. Truman, when he be-
came President, called Mr.. Hannegan into his
cabinet. The 1916 elections did not 60 well
for the Democrats. During that fracas there
developed political scandal Of large propor-
tionS in MiSSouri-a matter OF which the Tru-
man administration has not yet heard the last.
The Donaldson appointment is not without
its political side, despite the fact that the new
Postmaster General is a career man in the
Post Office Department. Mr.. Donaldson has
been lifelong Democrat, an Illinois Demo-
crat. As First Assistant Postmaster General,
all the first, second, third and fourth class
postmasters have come under his direction.
What is more, their commissions have been
signed by him. He is known to all Of them.
Also, he is known to practically all members
OF Congress, who have had to go to him with
recommendations for appointments Of their
constituents. Mr.. Donaldson is highly regarded.
Well Organized Politically.
From political standpoint, the postal service
Is we'll organized with a huge number Of
Democratic postmasters all over the country.
And the Post Office Department has a good
reputation for political regularity. Just about
as good as the Treasury Department today.
which is headed by another good friend Of
President Truman, Secretary Snyder. also OF
Missouri. Both these departments clear" all
patronage e., appointments the Demo-
cratic National Committee to see that the ap-
pointments go to good Democrats.
Until the appointment Of Mr.. Donaldson,
each Postmaster General under the Roosevelt
Truman administrations has held the otdce
of Democratic national chairman, except Ed
Flynn, Democratic boss Of the Bronx. The first
was Jim" Farley, who stayed on until he
couldn't stomach third-term President. The
others were Frank Walker and Mr.. Hannegah.
OF them all, however, Mr.. Farley was the OUT
standing boss politician. When the Repub-
licans were in power, the Postmaster Generals
Office was frequently held by boss politicians,
too President Taft, for example, had Frank
Hitchcock; Mr. Harding, Will Hayes.
Mr.. Donaldson combines with his political
qualifications a complete knowledge of the
postal business and how it should be run, and
since he is not Democratic national chairman,
he can give his time to running it.