Albert S. Burleson
| Albert Sidney Burleson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 45th United States Postmaster General | |
| In office March 5, 1913 – March 4, 1921 | |
| Preceded by | Frank H. Hitchcock |
| Succeeded by | Will H. Hays |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 7, 1863 San Marcos, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 1937 (aged 74) San Marcos, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Politician |
Albert Sidney Burleson (June 7, 1863 – November 24, 1937) was a United States Postmaster General and Congressman. Born in San Marcos, Texas, he came from a wealthy Southern family. His father, Edward Burleson, Jr., was a Confederate officer. His grandfather, Edward Burleson, was a soldier and statesman in the Republic of Texas and early statehood Texas. In his early political career, Burleson represented Texas in the House, where he was active in promoting the development of agriculture.
Biography
In 1913 he was appointed Postmaster General by Woodrow Wilson. To his credit, he initiated the parcel post and air mail services, increasing mail service to rural areas. However, Burleson was one of the most reactionary politicians to have served as Postmaster General, and for that reason (and several others) his term is often seen as one of the worst in the history of the post. Burleson persecuted African-Americans in the mail service, segregating workers and firing Southern black postal workers. At a cabinet meeting on April 11, 1913, just over one month into Wilson's first term his, Burleson "suggested that the new administration segregate the railway mail service," a suggestion Wilson adopted.[1] He drew criticism from labor unions by forbidding postal employees to strike. Business leaders were angered by inefficiency and almost dictatorial heavy-handedness in government control of communications.
Soon after taking office in 1913, he aroused a storm of protest, especially on the part of the large daily newspapers, by declaring that he would enforce the law (requiring publications to print, among other things, a sworn statement of paid circulation), which had been held in abeyance by his predecessor until its constitutionality might be confirmed. The Supreme Court enjoined him from doing this.[2]
During World War I, he issued, in 1915, an order barring unneutral envelopes and cards from the mails.[2] After America became a belligerent, Burleson vigorously enforced the Espionage Act, ordering local postmasters to send to him any illegal or suspicious material that they found. The movement of major radical pamphlets such as Emma Goldman's Mother Earth and Max Eastman's The Masses through the mail was slowed drastically, and often such pamphlets were never delivered. Anti-war material was banned from the mail. It was impossible to draw an ideal line and the result was a general alienation of the press.[2] From June 1918 until July 1919, the Post Office Department operated the nation's telephone and telegraph services,[3][4] an arrangement Burleson had advocated at least as early as 1913.[5]
Following the war, he continued to advocate permanent nationalization of telephone, telegraph and cable services, but acknowledging that Congress would be hostile to the idea, oversaw the return of the communications infrastructure to its various corporate owners. He introduced the “zone system,” whereby postage on second-class mail was charged according to distance.[2] In 1919 he became chairman of the United States Telegraph and Telephone Administration and in 1920 chairman of the United States Commission to the International Wire Communication Conference, soon retiring in 1921. Burleson died of a heart attack and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas.
Notes
- ↑ Rahe, Paul (2013-04-11) Progressive Racism, National Review
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1922). "Burleson, Albert Sidney". Encyclopædia Britannica (12th ed.). London & New York. - ↑ "Reach Agreement On U.S. Wire Control. President Vail of American Tel. & Tel. Co. Announces Result of Conferences with Burleson. Bell System Head Says Stockholders Are Protected and Dividends Continue at Existing Rates. Pleased by Government's Attitude. Security Holders Protected.". New York Times. October 7, 1918. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
- ↑ Cybertelecom :: Telephone at www.cybertelecom.org
- ↑ "Federal Ownership Halts. But Lewis of Maryland Makes a Move to Keep Up the Fight.". New York Times. December 21, 1913. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
External links
- Albert S. Burleson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Albert S. Burleson at Find A Grave
- Albert S. Burleson at American Presidents
- Albert S. Burleson from the Handbook of Texas Online
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Frank H. Hitchcock |
United States Postmaster General Served under: Woodrow Wilson 1913–1921 |
Succeeded by Will H. Hays |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Joseph D. Sayers |
Member for Texas's 9th congressional district 1899–1903 |
Succeeded by George Farmer Burgess |
| Preceded by George Farmer Burgess |
Member for Texas's 10th congressional district 1903–1913 |
Succeeded by James P. Buchanan |
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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