HARVARD

COLLEGE

On March 4, 1921, Mr. Will H. Hays, of Indiana, assumed the office of Post-. master General. Within less than one week thereafter, with a promptness and quick understanding, which of itself betokens the capable executive, Postmaster General Hays issued a public statement of policy, so cleancut and straight-forward that it bids fair to become a historic document. This now famous declaration, printed in the official Postal Bulletin of March 11, 1921, was drafted in language so simple and direct and conveyed a message so reassuring that it not only awakened an immediate and approving response from all postal workers, but also the commendation of the people as a whole. Rare indeed are the instances where an official declaration of policy has been greeted more warmly. Editorial comment-and there has been much of ithas all run one way. It was a timely deliverance and one which the people were waiting to hear. It is well worthy of being quoted again despite the reader's familiarity with its lines:

"The Postal Establishment is not an institution for profit or politics; it is an institution for service; and it is the President's purpose that every effort shall be made to improve that service.

"Every effort shall be exercised to humanize the industry. Labor is not a commodity. That idea Was abandoned 1,921 years ago next Easter.

There are 300,000 employees. They have the brain and they have the hand to do the job well; and they shall have the heart to do it well. We purpose to approach this matter so that they shall be partners with us in this business. It is a great human institution touching every individual in the country. I know that with 300,000 men and women pledged to serve all the people and honestly discharging that duty, fairly treated and properly appreciated, all partners with us here in this great enterprise, we can do the job. It's going to be done."

The Policy is the Thing "The play is the thing," said Shakespeare. For the purposes of this article well may we paraphrase this sage observation to read "the policy is the thing." And indeed it is. Before attempting achievement, we must have a plan, a program, some definite purpose. "Pick your objective and then drive

to it." is not only the surest advice we can offer the ambitious, but it is a philosophy that applies to institutions as well as men. Where are we going? What is it we are trying to do? That's the idea. Given a sound policy, sensibly pressed to a fitting objective, and there is no better guarantee of success.

The more this broad administrative policy laid down by Postmaster General Hays for the conduct of the postal service is considered, the more convincing becomes its

wisdom, its timeliness, its practicability. It is a solid foundation on which to build a great structure. In remarkably few words an exposition of the major and essential items that most influence the destiny of the postal service is set forth. The human element in the service, hitherto so largely disregarded and to which fact so much of past failures can be traced, is the feature on which especial stress is laid. In audiences since granted to representatives of the organized postal employees as well as in addresses to gatherings of postal workers, the Postmaster General, in his gracious yet earnest manner, has given added emphasis to his earlier declaration of policy, which daily, as time passes, begins to unfold and take definite shape. And the call for cooperation "as partners with us here in this great enterprise" has been answered with a sincerity and enthusiasm throughout the service that is unmistakable in its meaning. The right idea has been proclaimed. It will succeed because it deserves success.

It is an Institution for Service

Primarily, the purpose of the postal service is to serve the people. Service is the first requisite. When the mails function feebly or uncertainly all industry is affected. This should not happen if a proper pride in the performance of duty or adequate postal facilities can prevent it. Therefore, says the Postmaster General, in emphasizing this thought, "It is an institution for service; and it is the President's purpose that every effort shall be made to improve that service."

With this declaration, all right thinking men will rapidly agree. It is a matter in which the people are keenly concerned. Time and again they have shown that they want good mail service and are willing to pay for it. Given ample postal facilities, backed by the intelligent cooperation of trained postal workers, will insure a progressive service development that will make the postoffice stand out as a model of orderly and efficient operation. The response to this program has been sweeping and generous. The joy of building, of developing, of improving, makes its instant appeal.

Not an Institution for Profit

The happy results that follow a policy based chiefly on the idea of "making the postoffice pay" is a subject widely exploited in the public press during recent years. Condemnation of this policy has been general. With this idea as the main administrative policy, it follows that postal processes are tortured and twisted to report a postal surplus with little thought of the immeasurably greater loss imposed on private business through poor mail service. If postal revenues are inadequate to cover operating expenses, surely the remedy does

No. 5

not lie in a broken and cheapened service. During the past five years commodity and service charges have scored an advance averaging from 50 to 150 per cent. Postage rates have not. In certain schedules these rates are lower now than in the pre-war period. despite mounting prices and the important service rendered for the nominal charge imposed. Consequently, a postal deficit need occasion no surprise; it would be more surprising were there not. Such deficit, however, is more apparent than real, as has been repeatedly shown in these columns. Curtailing service requirements and cutting essential expenditures to prove a profit are, in any event, no answer to the problem. The clear-cut statement of Postmaster General Hays on this subject is. therefore, of much more than ordinary significance.

Not an Institution for Politics

Time was when the postoffice was openly charged with being a clearing house for the payment of political debts. Ultimately the excesses of the spoils system became so flagrant that an aroused people compelled enactment of the civil service law. In the intervening years this law has withstood many bitter attacks, although at times its undoing seemed probable. Some of this same opposition still continues, but it is quite plain that the people will tolerate a return to the old order of things. The merit system in Government employment is here to stay. No other plan is feasible; a change could only come at the risk of confusion and service demoralization; and this conviction soon comes home to any official invested with administrative responsibility.

never

Since the civil service law became operative, the number of employees covered under its protection have increased from year to year and each succeeding President, irrespective of party affiliations, has extended its scope to include additional groups. The greater majority of postal employees now enjoy a tenure of position based upon merit. That the central idea of the merit system will not only stand, but be further extended, can be confidently predicted, no matter what changes may be ordered in its application to particular groups not now covered under the law.

In reference to this subject, the declaration of Postmaster General Hays is again in keeping with the best thought of the country. It is one of the essential items In a sound administrative policy. Merit, and merit alone, should be the determining test of an employee's fitness, and promotion from the ranks should be made for the same reason. The postal service should provide the new entrant with something more than a job; it should open before him a career whose opportunities need be limited only by his capacity and application. That such is the Postmaster General's purpose is indicated by a later statement on the same question, as follows. These are fine words:

"My purposes are, first to make such rectifications as in all decency and fairness must be made to assure a square deal; secondly, to strengthen and broaden the civil service at every point wherever possible to the end that merit may govern; thirdly, with absolute fidelity to put the entire postal service upon a purely busi

ness basis, so sound and so serviceable that no political party will ever again dare attempt to ignore or evade it ultimately."

Labor is Not a Commodity

In earnest words Postmaster General Hays declares: "Labor is not a commodity." This statement awakens an approving response. It is the very heart of the labor question. To the attempt to treat labor as a commodity can be traced the one great cause of industrial conflict. It is a cold, unfeeling philosophy that places labor in the same category as potatoes or pig iron and admits no factor to soften wage negotiations save the hard rule of supply and demand. But labor cannot be disassociated from the laborer; where one is given the other must go. To contend that labor is a commodity is therefore tantamount to placing the laborer in the same classification. It is an indefensible doctrine.

In practical application, however, no subject is more important to the worker than this very theory of labor as a commodity. It has its own hard rules; its own stern processes. When the supply of labor is plentiful, beat down the price. Deal with the workers as individuals; induce competition; and disdaining any sentimental considerations, give the lowest bidder the job. "The least you will take is the most you will get." Such is the philosophy of labor as a commodity. Happily, there is a new spirit abroad, which the message of the Postmaster General so encouragingly reflects, and slowly but certainly society is formulating better ways to compensate those who make useful contributions to social needs. Labor is social service.

To Humanize the Industry

The word "humanize" stands out in the message of the Postmaster General. Its choice was a happy selection. It is pregnant with honest purpose and noble meaning and carries an irresistible appeal. It reflects a kindly attitude rather than a policy; a friendly atmosphere rather than a system of regulations. Business is business and service requirements are sometimes unduly exacting, but even on occasions of severe stress, the human touch will soften the rigors of depressing duty. To promote the right relationship between those in authority and those who do the work and to do naturally and easily the things that men do who like and respect one another, is after all, not so difficult a matter. To play fair; to act reasonably to hold a proper concern for the welfare of the other fellow-this is the message that "humanize" brings. Of course, as Kipling observes, "single men in barracks don't grow to be plaster saints," and so measure of the toleration and patience temper any policy, no matter how well thought out it may be. This applies to master as well as man. Like the gentle knack of swimming, it cannot be exactly defined; we just grow into it.

a

The touchstone of our time is cooperation. The world, seemingly disordered today, is really in a transitory state where a long era of competition is being superseded by an era of cooperation. Soon will it find itself and then progress will surge forward with seven league boots. To work in harmony with this natural trend is the essence of wisdom. Cooperation, let us remember, can not be enforced from without; it springs from within. It finds its inspiration in a worthy impulse coupled with an intelligent recognition of the fact that we can achieve more by pulling together than by pulling apart. No industry offers a more inviting opportunity for applying its principles than the postoffice; the Postmaster General has opened the way; there is glory enough to go around; and, in winning success, it may be our privilege to set such an example as will be a pillar of fire by night to industry everywhere. At least, it is a program well worthy of our best efforts.

the

There is not a word or line in announced policy of the Postmaster General to which we cannot give our whole-hearted approval. To have success crown that policy becomes our earnest concern. We believe in it. It should win because its honest application will work for the best interests of all concerned-the people, the service and the employees. Nor will we become disheartened because the full consummation of our hopes is not fulfilled at once.

To be free-minded and cheerfully disposed, at hours of meat, and of sleep, and of exercise, is one of the best precepts of long lasting.-Bacon,

Col. Hubert Work Appointed First Assistant Postmaster General

Colonel Hubert Work, of Pueblo, Colo., has been appointed as First Assistant Postmaster General to succeed Mr. John C. Koons.

Colonel Work was born and raised in Indiana county, Pa., was educated at the Indiana (Pennsylvania) State Normal School, the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania. He was graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1885 and was a practicing physician for twenty-five years at Pueblo, Colo.

He was elected president of the Colorado State Medical Society; served as a member of the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners, and for ten years was a member of the Colorado State Board of Healthfour years as its president. In 1912 he was elected president of the American MedicoPsychological Society, the largest association of medical specialists in the United

HUBERT WORK

First Assistant Postmaster General

States. He is now the incoming president of the American Medical Association.

When the United States entered the late war he retired from the active practice of medicine and volunteered in the medical corps of the army. He was commissioned as major by General Gorgas and assigned to the staff of Provost-Marshal General Crowder, becoming the liaison medical officer between the two departments, with supervision of the medical features of the draft. He was successively advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and colonel in the Medical Corps and is now in the Officers Reserve Corps of the army with the rank of colonel. He and his sons were all in uniform when the armistice was signed, and all are members of the American Legion.

In politics Colonel Work is a Republican, for six years having served as Republican National Committeeman. He was a delegateat-large from his State to the Republican National Convention which nominated Taft in 1908, and was chairman of the Republican State Committee of Colorado in 1910. He has always been interested in the problems of the farmer.

Two Cents!

The registers don't make me sore,
First-class is O. K., too;

And second class don't get my goat,
But, say, a postage DO!

What Membership in the N. A. L. C. Means

What does the N. A. L. C. mean to you brothers? Does it only interest you as far as your sick and death benefits are concerned? Do you really believe this is the full extent of its value to you? If you belong to this class, I would suggest that you wake up and find out what's going on around you. I will agree with you that the sick and death benefits are a very nice feature of the organization, but to my way of thinking they are only a side issue to the real things that the N. A. L. C. has done and is continually doing for the letter carriers.

I would like to ask those brothers whose interest in the N. A. L. C. is only lukewarm, Have you ever stopped to think what caused your working hours to be shortened? Very likely not. You just think you are working eight hours and that is all you care about. And again, I will ask, Who was responsible for your wages being increased? You will probably answer that conditions forced Uncle Sam to increase our wages. That is correct to a certain degree, but would we have received as much as we did and as soon as we did if the N. A. L. C. hadn't been behind the movement, firing away day and night? I say; no, never. Then again, What influenced Congress to grant you holidays with pay? Perhaps you will answer that all the Congressmen are church members and thought it a sin to let us work on holidays. Once more, do you recall not so many years ago when you had to report every Sunday morning and throw your mail and then hand it to those who cared to call for it? Yes, indeed, you do. Well, what stopped that? I suppose the public just got tired coming down on Sunday. Don't kid yourself that way, boy; they would still be crowding the aisles if the N. A. L. C. hadn't put the ban on it.

Still another achievement of the N. A. L. C. was bringing about better working conditions in the office. There was a time when it was suicide to approach one of the officials and complain about what we considered an injustice. But that has been changed, for we now have our grievance committee, who adjust all these complaints with the supervisors without any one being killed. Who furnishes these grievance committees? No one but the N. A. L. C. Now last, but far from least, how do you account for getting Congress to pass a pension bill? Did some kind-hearted Congressman by chance see some poor old letter carrier hobbling down the street and decide he would get him a pension. or do you think the Congressmen all thought they would some day be letter carriers and thought it a good idea to prepare? No, Buddy, it wasn't anything like that, it was only brought about by a hard and continuous fight by the N. A. L. C.

Now get me right, brothers, I am not going to be so selfish as to take away any credit from any help we received from other sources, for we appreciate all that anyone did for the letter carriers, but we must admit that if the N. A. L. C. had lain down at any time, very little would have been accomplished.

Perhaps some of you will say, Why do you hand out that chatter, we got all those things and why should we worry how or by whom they were gotten? That's where the rub comes. It is true that we have accomplished all the above mentioned, but is that the end? I say no; we are not going to stop in the middle of the stream, we are going to get still more for the letter carriers.

Now, what I am going to ask is: Are you going to help get them or are you going to lie down and let the other fellow do it? I beg of you, don't do it, but get busy and start right now to attend your meetings regularly, pick out good officers and then support them, for without cooperation you won't get very far. Always consider your organization as a business in which you are vitally interested.

Don't discriminate against any brother on account of any personal affair. Settle that outside of the lodge room. Whenever you have any grievances, state them at your meetings just as freely as you would the good things, and by all means do not hold secret sessions with a few members for the sole purpose of knocking. Let harmony rule supreme, as it is one of the greatest essentials for success.

In conclusion, I will say that you hold your future in your hands. What shall it be, failure or success? Dayton, Ohio.

HENRY ALTWIG.

The most important event of the year is the coming convention of the N. A. L. C., to be held at St. Louis, Mo., next September.

It is a little previous to predict some of the great problems that will confront this great body at that time. We expect this convention to go down in the annals of the Association as one of the largest and most interesting conventions ever held by the Association.

The delegates who are fortunate enough to be chosen to represent their Branches at this convention should consider themselves favored, as they have a great opportunity not only to benefit themselves, but they will get a broader idea of the N. A. L. C., and they will go away with the determination to increase their usefulness, to advance the principles of the organization, and in so doing, know themselves, by aiding our splendid organization to do things, and secure the benefits for which we strive, and which we believe are right and just.

It seems to be the unanimous desire of Branch 343 to make this convention one to be long remembered, and worthy of any man's attendance, and that it will help us all, and outside of the warm fellowship and the delightful acquaintances that so frequently ripen into life-long friendships, each delegate will gather inspiration and ideas to take home to his fellow employees.

So "Let's go." We extend you all a hearty welcome; let each Branch be represented by a full delegation, if possible. We want to show St. Louis that the N. A. L. C. is a virile, live organization; we want you to tax the hospitality of our charming city to the utmost, and when the convention adjourns and you return to your homes, we hope to perpetuate that feeling of sociability and fraternalism which feel sure is going to exist, and you are going to enjoy while you are our guests.

we

Attention, Visiting Delegates to the St. Louis Convention

The committee will consider it a favor, in order to expedite the detail work, which will also add to the comfort of the delegates and visitors, if you will make all reservations through the local committee. We have in mind an arrangement by which the entire number of delegates and visitors from any one State will be taken care of under one roof. We believe this will facilitate the work of the State delegations and their various committees, relieve the convention to some extent, and make access to the delegations a very easy matter.

Each and every Branch will receive a questionnaire shortly to be filled in and returned just as soon as the data is available.

The hotel rates are almost uniform, so

HOTELS

unneces

this arrangement will entail no sary expense upon the delegates. An invitation is herewith extended to every letter carriers' band affiliated with the N. A. L. C., to participate in this twentythird convention. Your presence in numbers will add to the prestige that accrues to all organizations that foster great conventions. That you will be properly taken care of is not a question, but a fact. Write us at once.

The Labor Day Parade is a matter of importance to every member of the N. A. L. C. Your presence here in numbers will signify unity. All letter carriers residing within a radius of 500 or 600 miles of St. Louis, who can leave their homes Saturday evening, arriving here Sunday and leave St. Louis Monday evening and return home Tuesday morning in time to report for work, should demonstrate their loyalty and affiliation by their presence. There will be other interesting features for your especial benefit.

The railroad passenger agents in St. Louis are assisting the committee in working out the details and schedules. Ask us about it. WM. GINTEL, Executive Secretary. 4277 Maffitt Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

Resolutions for the National Convention

Resolutions From Baltimore, Md. Resolutions adopted by Oriole Branch 176, and referred to Resolutions Committee for to presentation National Convention at St. Louis, September, 1921: Resolved, That we favor amending the Sunday and Holiday Compensatory Time Law by providing for a full day off within 30 days, whenever the carriers are required to report for duty on the days named in the law, and to provide that there be no more than one delivery on all other bank holidays; also, that no delivery of mail be made after 1 p. m. on Saturdays, particularly during the summer months of June, July and August.

Resolved, That we favor amending the Retirement Law to provide for voluntary retirement after 30 years of service; and be it further

Resolved, That we favor amending the Retirement Law to provide for the payment of 60 per cent of the highest basic pay for 30 years of service; 65 per cent for 35 years; 70 per cent for 40 years, or more, of service upon retirement.

Resolved, That we favor amending the Compensation Law to include occupational diseases and to provide for payment of two-thirds of basic pay for disability incurred while on duty.

Resolved, That we favor enactment of legislation providing for an allowance of $60 per annum for the purchase of uniforms.

Resolved, That we are in favor of legislation eliminating all swings but one, and that not less than 30 minutes. Resolved, That we favor amending the

American, 7th and Market.

$2.00

Double $3.00 and up

Without Bath Single Double

none

American Annex, 6th and Market.

2.00

3.00 and up

none

Belcher, 4th and Lucas

2.00

3.00 and up

Buckingham, Kingshighway and Pine.

4.00

6.00 and up

$2.50

$3.50

Claridge, 18th and Locust

2.50

4.00 and up

none

Hamilton, Hamilton and Maple.

2.00

3.50 and up

none

Jefferson, 12th and Locust..

3.00

5.00 and up

2.50

Laclede, 6th and Chestnut.

2.00

3.50 and up

1 & 2

Laclede Annex, 5th and Chestnut

2.00

3.00 and up

La Salle, 5th and Chestnut..

none *7.00

Marion Roe, 5th and Pine..

Majestic, 11th and Pine..

2.50

3.50 and up

none

Marquette, 18th and Washington_

3.00

4.00 and up

Maryland, 9th and Pine

3.00

4.50 and up

Planters, 4th and Chestnut.

2.50

4.00 and up

2.00

3.50 and up

none

Plaza, 3300 Olive Street__ Statler, 9th and Washington. St. Francis, 6th and Chestnut. St. Regis, 5th and St. Charles. Warwick, 15th and Locust Terminal, Union Station_..

Per week.

*10.00

JNO. SPUERING,

Publicity and Guests' Committee.

W. K. DUNN, Chairman.

present law so as to provide for 30 days' sick leave and 30 days' annual vacation.

Resolved, That we are in favor of an equitable adjustment of the salaries of all carriers appointed prior to June 5, 1920, so that their substitution time shall be allowed in grading their pay in the same manner as those who have been appointed since that date.

Resolved, That we favor enactment of legislation that will provide some method whereby representatives of the postal organizations shall be officially received by the officials of the Post Office Department.

Resolved, That we favor amending Postal Laws to provide that foot collectors shall not be required to cover more than 15 miles daily.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the enactment into law of a provision whereby between 6 p. m. and 6 a m., forty-five minutes shall be considered the equivalent

of an hour.

Resolved, That we are in favor of extending the provision of the Compensation Act to include substitutes; and be it further Resolved, That we favor increasing the pay of substitutes to 80 cents an hour.

Resolved, That we are in favor of a just settlement for all carriers who were deprived of their automatic increase in the year of 1918.

Resolved, That we favor an amendment to the Postal Laws, making the use of special delivery applicable to first class mail only.

Resolved, That we favor legislation that will provide for a sufficient allowance to mounted carriers, so that they will not be compelled to defray part of the expense of their equipment out of their salary.

Resolved, That we favor legislation giving substitutes credit for the time served as special delivery carriers, upon appointment as regular carriers.

Resolved, That we favor legislation to eliminate paragraph 13, of Section 701, in P. L. and R., which reads, "A letter carrier shall not be designated as superintendent, foreman, captain or sergeant of carriers, or given authority over other carriers," as detrimental to the carrier force.

Resolved, That steps be taken to have the Department modify the requirement of the efficiency test, upon which the standard of work performed by carriers is based; and be it further

Resolved, That the officers and members of Oriole Branch 176, N. A. L. C., in meeting assembled, February 5, 1921, instruct their delegates to the St. Louis convention, September 5 to 10, 1921, to use their best efforts to have the national officers instructed to take the necessary action to have them put into effect; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the National Secretary for the Convention Resolution Committee, also, a copy to the National Secretary for publication in the Postal Record, and a copy be given the delegates to the St. Louis convention.

FRANK C. PAYNE,
JOHN H. LIGHTHEISER,
WM. H. R. WOODROW,

Committee.

Resolutions From Tampa, Fla. Whereas at some postoffices it is sometimes necessary to work regular employees more than eight hours; and

Whereas the method now used to compute the overtime of an employee is unjust to the employees, because of the fact that only the men in the highest grade receive as much for overtime as does a substitute or auxiliary employee for straight time; and

Whereas we believe that our salaries should be based upon the actual number of working days in the year; therefore be it Resolved by Branch 599, of Tampa. Fla., That our national officers be requested to do all within their power to have the present law amended to provide that our salaries be based upon three hundred, six (306) days per year.

Whereas the Post Office Department has seen fit to introduce what is known as the wire case, and has in many instances adopted it as the regulation case for letter carriers; and

Whereas we feel that the use of such cases is an unnecessary hardship, and almost an impossibility on routes that have much mail, and also places the carrier under a great strain, is very hard upon his eyes, and forces him to increase his office time: therefore be it

Resolved by Branch 599, That we go on

record as condemning the use of this case and urge our national officers to do all in their power to have the use of this case discontinued and replaced by or with the old wooden case.

Whereas Postmaster General Hays has issued a statement that the labor of a human being is not a commodity, and that he intends to humanize the Post Office Department; and

Whereas in our opinion the so-called merit system, as used in some postoffices, works a grave injustice upon the employees in said offices in so far as there is no provision at all whereby an employee can ever get any merits; and

Whereas the new ruling, dated March 22, whereby an employee must make a general rating of 85 per cent to pass from one grade to a higher grade, in our opinion places too much power in the supervisory officials' hands, and will tend to further demoralize the service; therefore be it

Resolved, by Branch 599, That our national officers be requested to use all means within their power to have the merit system as now used abolished and a real merit system inaugurated; and be it further

Resolved, That they also seek to have the ruling of March 22 reduced, so that it will be possible for an employee that deserves a promotion to get it; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the National Secretary for publication in the Postal Record and for presentation to the coming national convention.

Adopted this 31st day of March, 1921, at a special meeting called for that pur

plowing and, in fact, I do not know of any particular piece of work in which the farmer is compelled to walk. Thus by a process of elimination the letter carrier is practically left alone today as the only human being who is compelled to walk to earn his daily bread.

Doctors tell us that in a space of a few thousand years man's legs will gradually wither away and eventually he will shed them altogether. As far as some men are concerned possibly they could conveniently get along without legs, but taken as a general application to humanity, the absence of legs would have a disastrous effect.

neighbor has condescended to let him have at a bargain. Thus, it may be seen that man has by degrees come to have less and less use for his legs; he is more and more inclined to exert himself the least he can; he assumes a reclining position when performing his labors or in enjoying his pleasures, and it is a question of no small importance, just what this will eventually lead to.

The farmer who ranked alongside the city letter carrier in the use of his pedal extremities, has cast aside the hand-me-down of the dark ages-walking. He has his gasoline propelled cultivators, his tractors for

that we are compelled to walk a few hours each day! And how many of us are inclined to complain over a little thing like that! I have before me a letter from a brother carrier in New York City, who says that he enjoys his position as letter carrier on account of the pleasure he derives from walking. Although he has no nearby mountain trails upon which he can take long hikes when he is not delivering mail about the city, yet he informs me that he and a pal are accustomed to take an early morning train on Sunday and ride out about thirty miles to the estate of Mrs. E. H. Harriman, where they can hike

Who knows but what the Post Office Department will have to resort to the expedient of searching the far corners of the earth for human beings possessed of pedal extremities or set aside certain annual appropriations to propagate and develop the leg variety. Man must have legs, and good ones, for one occupation at least, and that is in delivering the mail.

I am not seeking to embarrass the Post Office Department in making these statements; I merely started out to say something about legs, and those fortunate men who possess them-letter carriers. How few of us realize what a blessing it is

in the hills to their hearts' desire. They cook their lunch over a campfire and at night return again to the city, feeling none the worse for having walked six days and hiked upon the seventh. And again, I am in receipt of a communication from a brother in Chicago who cannot rest upon the seventh day, but must get out into the broad open spaces and breathe the fresh country air and enjoy the wayside beauties of nature, such as only a hiker comes in contact with.

Such men who can find pleasure in exercising their legs in the hills and fields by the same token find a certain amount of enjoyment in legging it down the city street with a load of mail upon their backs. Having legs and exercising them regularly is the master key to health and longevity. There is where we letter carriers can consider ourselves lucky.

I may be ridiculed for preaching the gospel of walking. Letter carriers may be looked upon with pity as burden bearers, but to those who would harbor such an opinion I would say, "Brother, save your smiles or tears, as the case may be, letter carriers by the vested right of daily working their pedal extremities have developed a power of resistance which the stifling heat of summer or the stinging cold of winter does not affect; they have built up a barrier against disease and a bulwark against old age; they are not accustomed to spending irregular periods in sanitariums and other institutions for the rehabilitation of rundown or wornout bodies. Doctors and druggists would starve to death if they were dependent upon us letter carriers for their business. We do not stack up very high in the accumulation of wealth, but we build up a mountain of bodily strength, which is the main asset of life. And all because a letter carrier uses his legs for something else aside from the mere routine of putting them into a pair of