Editor’s note: The Sunday Dispatch is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Information appearing here is reprinted exactly as it first appeared in the March 16, 1947 issue of the Dispatch.
The Postmaster General’s Office in Washington, D.C. has requested to set up and announce a competitive examination for the position of Postmaster in Pittston.
The examination date and place is expected to be announced soon and will be publicized on the Post Office bulletin board and in the area newspapers by the local civil service representative, who in this case is James Alexander.
This information was obtained by telephone conversation with a Mr. Wenrich in the office of the Postmaster General, who said the request was submitted February 10. Usually, the same official said, it takes from 4 to 6 months before the time and place are set, but in this case it may be speeded up a bit.
The duties of the Postmaster are now being carried on by Joseph P. McCanna, who was named acting postmaster after the retirement of James Gibbons. Questioned as to whether or not any pressure had been put on the Postmaster General’s office to have McCanna removed, the spokesman said, he did not know of any, but it was possible.
The procedure on the examination for the postmastership after all the requirements and the test, is to select one man from among the three men who won top rating. When this man is selected, he must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Disabled war veterans are given the greater advantage in the competitive examinations according to Mr. Wenrich. Next in line are other veterans, with non veterans ranking third. McCanna is eligible for the examination according to Mr. Weinrich, as are regular members of the post office staff.
A great deal of interest is centered in the examination for the postmastership, both in Pittston and in the county. McCanna a Democrat was appointed as acting postmaster with the approval of the Luzerne County Democrat Committee, with aRepublican Senate in power at the present time, it is unlikely that he will receive confirmation, even is he should be selected through competitive tests.
