AS Burleson to Woodrow Wilson

I desire to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 3rd instant, transmitting a letter written by G. H. Markquard, Jr., of St. Louis, in behalf of Otto Sassmann, who was removed for disloyalty.

For your information I beg to say that Sassmann was removed on the testimony of several clerks whom the Superintendent of the Railway Mail Service certifies to the Department as being "persons known to me to be entirely trustworthy and reliable and who are at all times reluctant to cause any trouble to their fellows that is unwarranted."According to the evidence before the Department, just prior to the declaration of war, Sassmann said he "would not shoot a German soldier," that he "would shoot an American officer first." This was said to be in reply to a question whether he would enlist in the event of war, and if he would not what he would do in the event he were drafted. Subsequently to the war, according to the evidence furnished, he said to a clerk who had asked him whether he would loan him money if he got an appointment into the officers' reserve camp, Sassmann replied, "I wouldn't lend you a dam'd cent if you had to go to Germany to fight, but if they came over here I would lend you every cent I had. I don't believe we are right in going over there to fight them." The testimony of another clerk was that on another occasion Sassmann said he would not fight against the German Government.

Still another clerk testified that, subsequent to the declaration of war by the United States Government, and while he was talking to a friend at the supper table on the subject of the war and the high cost of living, Sassmann "spoke up and said the United States was working for the AlliesGod damn the Allies! To hell with them is my sentiments!"Superintendent MacFarland of the Railway Mail Service, who is in charge of the Division, and has long enjoyed the reputation of being a cautious and conservative Superintendent, states, in his recommendation for the removal of Clerk Sassmann:"I further believe that clerk Sassmann is a dangerous man; also that his traitorous expressions represent his earnest sentiments. He is sullen, morose and high tempered and I feel that the secret service authorities should be apprised of his attitude. However, I shall do nothing to that end without your instructions."