Plum Tree

Last week was the time for the party to come to the aid of all good men. So thought many a Democratic Congressman who for three months had obediently taken his legislative orders from President Roosevelt in the expectation of patronage rewards at the session's end. Waiting to be distributed were thousands upon thousands of jobs ripening on the Administration's plum tree since March 4. New legislation had created thousands more. Because most of these new emergency jobs were not put under civil service, the National Civil Service Reform League last week loudly warned against the rush for "spoils." Some people even began to forecast "corruption." Postmaster General Farley had unsuccessfully backed a bill to open every job paying more than $5,000 to political appointment.

During the session the President made only 272 civil nominations, kept his control over Congress by withholding the rest. Practically all appointments had been to major jobs which had to be promptly filled.

The session over, Democratic Senators and Representatives last week went racing to Postmaster Farley with demands for a hefty plumtree shaking. They had delivered their quid. It was now up to the Administration to produce its quo.

Patronage-Dispenser Farley had before him a "white list" of Democrats who had consistently supported the President on important issues and a "sinners' roll" of party members who had deserted their leader on critical votes. Constituents of the first would get the pick of postmaster-ships, collectorships of internal revenue and customs, district attorney-ships, etc., etc., etc., constituents of the second would have to take the leavings.

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