Atlanta Daily World

The Appointment Of Negro Postmasters
For over half a century Negroes have figured more prominently in the United States Civil Service than in any other department of government. A generation ago, a look-see into the mail trains and the city post offices would disclose the faces of colored men carrying their portion in the distribution of the United States mails.
Today it will be observed that in the Civil Service, there are still excellent accounts our racial group is giving of itself in the honorable trust involved in the handling of the mail.
In our own local post office we have Negro foremen of crews, head of post office station, and in other capacities than mere distributors of the mails. That would speak for itself as to the honor, deservedness and capabilities of the Negro anywhere in the agenda of the mail service
It is quite befitting, therefore, for Congressman Diggs of Detroit to cause an inquiry into the closing of a post office down in Alabama a few miles from Mobile, known as Magazine, Alabama, allegedly because all the white folks moved out of the town.
It is stated there are still industries and plenty of citizens to be served at Magazine; that other arrangements have been made for the distribution of the mails purely upon the grounds to get around the appointment of a Negro postmaster at Magazine.
A Negro man, Monroe B Morton once held the postmastership at Athens, Georgia, the seat of the University of Georgia.
Bishop Turner was once appointed postmaster at Macon, Georgia. On a few occasions Negroes have successfully carried RFD routes; one in Russell county, Alabama, just across the river from Columbus, Georgia.
President Theodore Roosevelt appointed a colored lady as postmistress in Mississippi at one time.
The verdict of Joseph A. Clarke, who has been appointed to probe conditions surrounding the liquidation of the Magazine, Ala., post office is awaited. Being what he is, one of the administrators looking to the end of economy in postal service, he can be trusted to make proper recommendations.
Surely a decision from him would be more to be relished than for a stigma to gain float to the effect that a post office was abolished purely to get around the appointment of a Negro as postmaster.
It is our understanding also that Joe Clarke is a Cuthbert Georgia native who has made good in the postal service administration.
Anyway, Congressman Diggs has not allowed the matter to go by as just so much thrift.