THE SEASON'S GREETINGS

"Oft in the stilly night, when slumber's chains have bound me, Fond memory brings to me the light of other days around me." This is the season when, in our quiet hours, sentimental retrospection tinges our thought. We think of old times, old scenes, old friends, "the vale and the cot I was born in." In our reverie we again contrive, enact, behold, the many gatherings in far-flung corners of our common country where we were privileged to work and play with friend and brother. On these occasions, sometimes strenuous, always happy, memory dwells lingeringly and longingly. We are rich-rich in the friends our movement has brought us; rich, because through it our affections sweep with our thoughts, bridging mountain and stream. Old friends steal into our musings; they sit down beside us; they recall other days. Time is passing; the world is growing old. This must be so because here is another year upon us. Perhaps we are growing old, too!

Hearings on the Post Office Appropriation Bill

The legislative procedure long observed by the House of Representatives has recently undergone a radical change. Hitherto appropriation bills originated and were reported to the House from the several designated committees. Through a resolution adopted in the last session, in anticipation of the enactment of the budget bill, all appropriation bills are now acted upon by the Committee on Appropriations, the membership of which has been enlarged from 21 to 35. Due to the veto of the budget bill by the President, legislative matters during the recess and in the early hours of the present session were much upset. It was freely predicted that the Post Office Appropriation Bill would again be handled, as formerly, by the Post Office Committee, but on December 6 the Speaker appointed the extra fourteen members to the Committee on Appropriations, among whom were Representative Madden, Republican, of Illinois, and Representative Holland, Democrat, of Virginia, both formerly members of the House Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, but now resigned therefrom because of their later assignment.

The Sub-committee of the Committee on Appropriations, composed of Representatives Madden, of Illinois; Shreve, of Pennsylvania; Ogden, of Kentucky; Byrns, of Tennessee, and Holland, of Virginia, were assigned the task of preparing the Post Office Appropriation Bill for presentation to the full Committee.

The Sub-committee held hearings on the bill on December 16, 17 and 18, 1920, the first two days being devoted to hearing Post Office Department officials on the estimates for conducting the service for the next fiscal year. The representatives of the employees were heard on December 18, at which time National Secretary Cantwell appeared on behalf of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Realizing that the scope of the Sub-committee's work would not include the general subject of salary increase, which will probably be handled by the Post Office Committee, Secretary Cantwell, in referring to that matter, confined his remarks to a brief statement covering the merits of the letter carriers' case as set forth in the brief on this issue compiled in the preceding session and a copy of which he submitted to each member of the Committee for his consideration.

The attention of the Sub-committee was especially directed to several inequalities affecting letter carriers in the lower or automatic grades because of certain provisions in the classification act approved June 5, 1920. By the terms of this law, and on a basis of 306 days of eight hours service, substitutes are to be given credit for the actual time served upon receiving their regular appointment. No provision, however, was made in the act to give credit for the time that clerks and carriers served in the military or naval services or to the men in the automatic grades who were appointed prior to June 5, 1920. The attention of the Sub-committee was earnestly directed to the injustice of this omission to the employees thus affected. Many letter carriers appointed prior to June 5, 1920, are drawing considerably less salary than employees appointed after June 5. A memorandum showing numerous typical instances of this discrimination was submitted to the Committee. Furthermore in a number of postoffices substitute letter carriers were assigned to deliver special letters. By a ruling of the Department no credit is given for this character of service in computing time for regular appointments. This is another self-evident injustice that should be corrected.

The new classification act of June 5, 1920, omits special provision for the marine letter carriers assigned to the Detroit River

Postal Service, although beginning with 1917 these assignments, due to the hazardous work, carried an annual $300 premium compensation. Under existing law these employees actually receive for the added protection of the classified employees so as to insure $25 less than during the last fiscal year. Certainly this was not intended by Congress, and the omission should be corrected.

The Act of June 5, 1920, provides that when the needs of the service require employment on Sundays or holidays of certain specified employees in the postal service, "they shall be allowed compensatory time within six days next succeeding the Sunday and within thirty days next succeeding the holiday on which service is performed." This provision modified the former compensatory time law covering Sunday and holiday service which required compensatory time to be granted on ONE day. In numerous cases advantage has been taken of the amended provision by supervisory officers by compelling employees to spread the compensatory time over a period of several days instead of confining it to ONE day. Plainly Congress did not intend this law to be so construed. The Committee followed the argument presented by Secretary Cantwell with attentive interest, frequently interrupting him to express agreement with the merits of the case as presented. The experience of Representative Madden as a member of the Postal Salaries Commission enabled him to explain at various times during the hearings what the Commission had in mind as to the intent of the law.

The attitude of the Sub-committee towards the representatives throughout the hearing was unusually considerate. Their report will be made to the enlarged Appropriations Committee, who will later report the Post Office Appropriation Bill to the House.

No Better

Selection

Can be Made

The Post Office Department is a great business institution. In the multiplicity of its operation, the number of its employees and the relation it bears to all forms of industrial and social endeavor, the Post Office Department holds a commanding place as a public institution. It is the one business of government with which the people are most familiar. At this particular time when prospective Cabinet selections are holding public interest, it is not surprising that a widespread and growing sentiment favorable to the appointment of Representative Martin B. Madden, of Illinois, for the office of Postmaster General should assert itself. From many quarters President-elect Harding is being urged to name Mr. Madden for this high station and for reasons that commend themselves to the average citizen. "More business in Government and less Government in business" is a slogan that awakened a hearty response in the recent campaign. The selecttion of Representative Madden would give vitality to this idea because of the rare business equipment and training he would bring to his charge. Aside from the distinction he has won as a party leader, Mr. Madden possesses tact, marked executive ability and a broad business experience which, combined with a thorough grasp of the postal service as a whole, make him especially fitted to administer this great public business. His selection would be a happy one.

Representative Madden's interest in the postal service has not been confined to any particular branch or phase of the business. He understands its great administrative problems and he knows the needs of the postal employees. In matters postal his colleagues in the House lean heavily on his opinion. Constantly alert for the welfare of the service as a whole, the numerous legislative measures he has championed, many of which bear his name, have invariably resulted in a lasting benefit to the service as well as giving to the postal workers a fuller measure of justice. The wide esteem in which he is held has been justly won through merited public service.

All of these facts-and many more-are being brought to the attention of President-elect Harding by those who are familiar with Mr. Madden's rare qualifications for the position of Postmaster General and who know that his selection would mean a rehabilitation of the postal service to its former standard of efficiency and an assured guaranty that once this efficiency has been restored it would be continued. The regard in which Congressman Madden is held by postal employees generally would naturally inspire a feeling of cooperation throughout the service which for the past few years has been conspicuously absent, and this fact is being urged as an added reason for his availability. Beyond doubt the appointment of Mr. Madden to this important office would meet with the general approval of the people.

The Right

of Appeal

On December 8, 1920, Representative Martin B. Madden, of Illinois, introduced in the House of Representatives a bill designated as H. R. 14759, which provides that civil service employees who are charged with offenses and recommended for removal shall hereafter be granted the right of appeal. The introduction of this measure marks a distinct step forward and again Mr. Madden has given timely response to a worthy and widespread service demand. The act of August 24, 1912 (the anti-gag law), among other things includes certain provisions defining the procedure and the limited rights of employees in the classified civil service in cases involving charges, reduction in compensation, and removal from the service. The measure proposed by Mr. Madden aims to so amend and broaden the terms of this act as to grant the right of appeal to such employees whose removal from the service is sought.

By the terms of H. R. 14759, the Civil Service Commission is constituted a court to which the accused employee may turn. The bill provides that such employee shall have the right of appeal; the right to a hearing; the right to be represented by counsel; to examine witnesses; and the testimony taken shall be made a matter of record. In turn the Civil Service Commission and its appointed representatives are authorized to subpoena witnesses, take testimony, administer oaths, and to require any Government official or employeee to produce books and papers relating to any case under consideration. Continuing, this bill further provides that "If, after a hearing and investigation, the Civil Service Commsision decides that the charges against the employee do not justify dismissal from the Federal classified civil service, it shall

remand the case with such orders as may seem to it proper in the premises, and its judgment and decrees shall be final."

In brief, this is the plan proposed by Representative Madden them a fair trial and a measure of justice when their removal is sought. And, what is more important, the bill provides that the opportunity for trial shall be granted before the threatened removal is effected. Under existing circumstances the rights of the employees are painfully vague and uncertain. Slight or supposed transgressions are frequently magnified into grave misdemeanors. A minor infraction may furnish the basis for a serious charge, and between the charge and the delivery of the verdict a vast nebulous space occurs wherein anything may happen. Aside from the instances of actual injury imposed under the present system there is a feeling that bias and prejudice, discrimination and favoritism are common practices which result in depressed service morale. This obtains so widely as to call for a remedy. The right sort of service atmosphere is needed. Men must feel instinctively that they will be granted a square deal. Once enacted, the effect of this law would be tremendous. Largely it would eradicate the very causes it seeks to correct. Its ultimate effects would be preventive rather than remedial. Neither officials nor employees will likely transgress knowing that their offenses are subject to review. Under present practices the Department heads are the official judges in every case. Naturally they lean heavily on the recom→ mendations of their field force and the field force know it.

The question of the right of appeal has long been the subject of discussion among our members. It has been considered and repeatedly approved. Quoting from the endorsement given to this idea by the Philadelphia Convention we find the following declaration which epitomizes the views of the National Association of Letter Carriers on the subject:

"Whereas we believe that in all cases where charges are preferred and where the accused believes he is not given a fair decision, the accused should have the right to appeal from the decision of his or her supervisory official's decision to a court of appeals that is independent of the postal service.”

H. R. 14759 is a meritorious measure. It should become a law. The service needs it; the employees need it. Every independent investigation of the classified service recently undertaken returns a recommendation for the establishment of some tribunal of this sort. This is true whether it be the Federal Reclassification Commission, the Civil Service Reform League, the Industrial Conference, the United States Chamber of Commerce, American Federation of Labor or what not. As this case unfolds we need not be surprised at the arguments of little validity which will lie against the central idea carried in this bill. Once again Mr. Madden has used rare judgment in presenting the right thing at the right time, and on behalf of the membership we renew our oft-repeated expression of sincere appreciation.

One-Cent Letter Postage Bobs Up Again

Verily, the working of some minds is beyond understanding. A case in point is provided by Postmaster General Burleson in his Annual Report for 1920, given circulation during the month of December. Abounding in inconsistencies and with statements and statistics that fail to square with one another, this public document strikes a high note in illogical assertion and particularly in dealing with the subject of postal finances. Directing especial attention to a reported deficit of some $17,000,000, for the fiscal year 1920, which in chief part he attributes to the increased compensation paid postal employees during the period, the Postmaster General complains because there is a postal deficit at all. This might have been prevented, he argues, by simply paying smaller wages, and he is moved, therefore, to raise a warning finger against direful things likely to happen unless something altogether different, but quite undefined, is done. He says:

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This is one position which the Postmaster General takes in addressing himself to the question of postal finances. On the other hand, be it remembered, he has fought long and valiantly for a reduction in letter postage. He must know, as does everybody familiar with the subject, that the adoption of his ideas would have meant a decided increase in the postal deficit. would aggravate the very conditions he so bitterly bewails. will not be deterred in his purpose, however. He has ideas of his own, whatever they may be. Long he has pressed the fight for lower letter postage rates; he is pressing it now. Evidently he feels very deeply about the matter. Here is what he has to say in his most recent report concerning postal organization officials who have had the temerity to disagree with him:

* They have strenuously opposed legislation which would have been in the interest of the public and given the public benefits to which it was justly entitled, for no other reason apparently than to hamper and retard the administrative policies of the postal establishment; one instance being the reduction of the rate of postage on drop letters from 2 cents to 1, which was approved by the Senate Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads during the last session of Congress."

Comparatively speaking, here is the situation. On one hand the Postmaster General deplores the insufficiency of postal revenues; on the other hand he would chop these same revenues by a 50 per cent cut in letter postage rates. Meanwhile, in and out of season he has insisted that the Post Office Department should be administered on a self-sustaining basis, something which he tacitly concedes can not be done under existing conditions. Certainly this is a mixed policy. It is on all fours with the age-old problem of how to have your pie and eat it. Nevertheless, the Postmaster General continues to advocate one-cent letter postage. Under date of December 13, 1920, in a communication addressed to Chairman Steenerson of the House Committee on the Post

Office and Post Roads, the Postmaster General renews his recommendation for one-cent drop letter postage. This too, in the face of his formal prediction of a $36,000,000 postal deficit for the current fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the National One-Cent Letter Postage Association is not idle. In a circular letter under date of November, 1920, addressed "To Our Members," assurance is given that the campaign for reduced letter postage is being pushed energetically; and that "those Congressmen who introduced our bills in the last session have promised to do everything in their power to secure this legislation in the coming short session." Members are urged to "write and have a lot of your employees and others" write their Representatives and Senators and in doing so, stress the argument that reduced postage rates would mean increased volume and thus increased revenues. Fine. We commend this philosophy to the railroads, traction companies and other public utilities.

There is little, if any, real sentiment behind this cheap postage drive if we are to judge by editorial comment, nor do the people share Mr. Burleson's fears about a prospective postal deficit. this connection the Allentown, Pa., Call observes:

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"If the demand came from the people for this reduction it would be very much different, but the people are not objecting to paying two cents for the carriage and delivery of a letter to any part of these United States. They realize that it is a splendid service performed at a most reasonable cost and they are not worrying."

In a like strain the Detroit Free Press, says:
"There was a financial deficit last year.

But this, it appears,

was the fault of Congress which interfered with the Postmaster General's plan to emulate the man who fed his horse sawdust. It wickedly paid out some thirty-three million dollars in war-time bonuses to employees who were being asked to subsist on starvation wages so that Burleson might make a pretty showing on the ledger. * . **

"Postmaster General Burleson's attempt to shift part of the burden of the deficit of his department on the shoulders of the rank and file of the employees," says the Omaha Bee, "does not coincide with the public belief."

In this thought editorial opinion in general seems to agree that "he has erred by tending to stress economy at the expense of efficiency, and, if he has not wasted public money, he has cheapened his product-which is service-that the public does not put the same dependence upon it as formerly."

No evidence at hand indicates that the people are alarmed by either the dire prediction of Mr. Burleson or his rasping references to postal profits. Certainly little heed is being paid to the pretensions of the cheap postage advocates. It is an absurd proposition.

"And a Little

As a distressing aftermath of the great war 3,500,000 little children in Europe are now bravely struggling for their very existence. Acting on behalf of the American Relief Expedition, of which he is Chairman, Mr. Herbert Hoover has told the pathetic story to the people of the United States. He has made a plea for these children; he has pictured the conditions existing in the stricken area until the recital pulls at our heart strings. Winter coming on, shelter poor, little clothing and less food-whatever chance these little children may have to live, to escape actual starvation, to grow as every child should have the right to grow, depends upon the heed that we as a people give to their cries. It is up to us. Adequate relief can be expected from no other source.

Child Shall Lead Them"

Many calls have been made on American charity in recent years. Sometimes doubt chills our enthusiasm, because at times our sympathy has been imposed upon. This case is different. It is for the children, and children are just children the world As the actual facts are disclosed, the American people are making ready, as they always have done, to properly meet this occasion. Fitting plans have been devised; the machinery has been set up; and a nation-wide campaign to raise funds to save these children is now in full swing. It will succeed.

over.

This campaign is in charge of the Literary Digest-a publication of international repute, whose very name is synonymous with reliability and unselfish action. To the postal employee this campaign needs no other indorsement. In the October 30, 1920, as well as in succeeding issues, the Literary Digest pictures in moving terms the condition of these helpless children. Their representative has visited Europe. The situation as it exists there is explained in detail. The plan for handling contributions in the most expeditious and helpful way is unfolded. The Literary Digest has agreed to act as the responsible custodian of the fund collected and starts the subscriptions with an initial contribution of $25,000. President-elect Harding gives $2,500 accompanied by a stirring letter of commendation. The relief work is well under way.

At a recent meeting of the Council of Administration of the National Association of Letter Carriers, the campaign now being conducted by the Literary Digest for the relief of the children in Europe was given a whole-hearted indorsement. In response to this action, an earnest appeal is now made to the membership to give their moral and financial assistance to this great undertaking. Sensible of the limited resources of the average letter carrier and the many calls made on his charity, we nevertheless commend this appeal as being worthy of unusual consideration and we urge our membership to give and give liberally according to their means. Branch officers should direct the attention of the membership to the exceptional merit of this appeal and their good offices should be employed in facilitating the collection of contributions. The response to this call should be hearty and genuine. It appeals

to the best in man. It is bread scattered on the water that returns a thousand fold.

Make all checks payable to "The Literary Digest Child Feeding Fund," and mail them direct to the Literary Digest. Every remittance will be acknowledged, and the Literary Digest will be responsible for every dollar contributed, to see that it goes, without one penny deducted, to the purpose for which it is given. Address, Child Feeding, THE LITERARY DIGEST, 354-360 Fourth Avenue, New York.

Keystone Branch like the rest of the country is doing its utmost to make a sucfor cess of the movement an adequate salary. That is, a salary that will meet living conditions of today and permit us to catch up with the drawbacks which were ours from 1914 to 1920. The carriers all seem to be of one mind, as evidenced by the enrollment in the Branch membership of 135 new members in the last four months, and we are looking forward to a 100 per cent total before 1921.

Following the instructions issued by our National officers, Philadelphia held a rousing mass meeting in the Garrick Theatre on Sunday, October 24, 1920, and the following is a synopsis of the same :

Bro. Chris J. Halberstadt in the Chair said:

"As U. S. postal employees, we find ourselves here in a twofold capacity. We find ourselves as servants, appealing to our master, the great American public, for justice, and we find ourselves, as American citizens, discussing with other American citizens details of the greatest business in the world, a business that enters into the home of every town and hamlet in the United States. It is our purpose this afternoon to appeal to our Congressmen, our Representatives in the national legislative body, to restore to us that efficient service in that big business which originally was founded to render service alone, to restore to us that service so that it will bring this country back to those conditions which have made it the most enlightened nation on the face of the globe."

Mr. John Diamond, Superintendent of the Nicetown Station, read the following:

We believe that salaries should be adjusted on the following scale and for the reasons enumerated below:

Clerks and Carriers

The minimum salary of supervisors should not be less than $200 in excess of the salaries paid to the highest grade clerk or carrier in their respective offices and the salaries of supervisors should be graded upward and be based upon the duties and responsibilities attached to the positions.

(1) That the reclassification of salaries enacted by Congress on the recommendation of the Postal Salaries Commission is wholly inadequate to maintain a man and his family.

(2) That the cost of living is now, and has been for a long time, utterly out of proportion to the salaries received.

(3) That the increase in the cost of living between 1914 and 1920 is more than 100 per cent while the increase in salaries allowed employees, all grades included, between 1914 and 1920, is but 60 per cent.

(4) That thousands of the most competent and highly trained employees have resigned from the service on account of the inadequate salaries.

(5) That it is impossible to induce men possessing the necessary qualifications to enter at the salaries now paid.

(6) That all we ask is to have our salaries restored to a pre-war basis, which would only provide us with a living wage.

(7) In the commercial and industrial field employers of labor can procure their help in the open market. The government is at a disadvantage in this respect in filling vacancies in the postal service for the reason that the employees must be developed in

the service, for they cannot acquire the knowledge and training elsewhere.

(Signed) Brief Committee Philadelphia
Post Office Employees
JOHN DIAMOND,
EDWARD S. MCGEOY.

Edward A. Noppel, Assistant Director of Public Welfare and President of the United Business Men's Association, said in part:

"I hope our voices will go on to Washington, and that is where this question is actually decided, and we may hear the good news that, as a result of this meeting and other meetings being held in the big cities throughout the United States, if it brings good results, then this Sunday afternoon meeting has been well thought out and was well worth having."

James Cortelyou, Director of Public Safety, formerly Chief Postal Inspector of this District, said in part:

"I was very happy indeed when I received the invitation from your committee to be here this afternoon, because I felt that it would give me an opportunity to again renew an acquaintance of many years' standing with a most loyal lot of employees. I am not going to detain you, but I want to say that if there is anything I can do, either officially or otherwise, to aid you, I want you to call on me without any hesitation and it will be a pleasure for me to assist in every way possible."

The Chair: The next speaker I will introduce is one without whom I do not believe any postal gathering would be complete.

Postmaster Harry C. Knight, of Camden, N. J., said in part:

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"I seldom miss an opportunity of lending my presence to every function wherein the postal employees are engaged, and to listen and to learn from the various subjects that they discuss, which is not only advantagethe employees, but primarily greater advantage to the executive head of every postoffice. If there is anything in the power of the postmaster of Camden, that I can do or any power that I possess for your interest, all you have got to do is to call me at any hour of the day or night, to go anywhere in the United States and I will do it."

Mrs. Edward Beecher Finck, President Pennsylvania Women's Press Association, said in part:

"A man's success in life is judged by the way in which he keeps his family, and any man of intelligence and education wants to keep his family well, he wants his children he well educated and wants them

to live in keeping with the station in life into which he has brought them. Now if they cannot have the money, how can they keep up the standard of the United States and of the employees of the United States Government?"

Clarence Stinson, of Bayonne, N. J., member of the National Executive Board of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said in part:

"You have here in the city of Philadelphia, one of the greatest champions that the postal employees ever had. I refer to your great United States Senator, Boies Penrose. While we realize that the coming session is going to be very short indeedfour short months-and in that short time all of the great appropriation bills must be passed, and we know that whatever is done must be done quickly, we hope and trust that Congress in its wisdom will see the justice and the merit in our cause."

Hon. August F. Daix, Jr., State Senator, said in part:

"Make your fight because might is right and go into the halls of the legislature and of Congress and demand that you get that to which you are entitled, a fair day's pay for an honest day's work and you will get it."

Mr. William A. Monahan, of Brooklyn, N. Y., member of the National Executive Board of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said in part:

"Nearly every subject that concerns your welfare has been covered, and when the lady orator returned to her seat I was about to tell her that we, the National Association of Letter Carriers, were one of the first organized bodies to endorse woman suffrage. A Congressman has a mighty hard job to attend every roll call; and, in addition, he has his committee meetings to attend. Now there are of this three great branches Government that should be provided for; the first is the Army, the second is the Navy, and the third is the Post Office Department. Now, if you ask anybody to try to cut down and render inefficient the Army or the Navy, they would think you were unpatriotic, if you ask the business men, 'Shall we cut down the service in the Post Office Department? they would at once tell you, 'If you do that, you will cut down our revenue. But this is my department, and I am going to see that it is run efficiently, and if these letter carriers, supervisors and clerks can run it efficiently by giving them a little more money, we are going to see that our Congressmen give it to them.''

The Chairman introducing the next speaker said he is one whom we can always depend upon in the halls of Congress; one who has always been a friend of the letter carriers and a friend of the postal employees. I take great pleasure in calling upon Hon. George P. Darrow, Member of Congress.

Representative Darrow said in part:

"I want to get your viewpoint and see just what you feel you should have, and I am sure that you will ask for nothing that is not just. My thought is this: 'Ask and you shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you; provided you ask loud enough and knock sufficiently hard, with justice back of your cause.' The Department is for the service of the people and you who make it possible, who render it the effective and efficient service that you do, are certainly justified in expecting fair, liberal and just treatment from that Government. Each individual cannot have

his own way, but what is just and right will eventually prevail, and I believe that is what you are asking for at this time, and an increase in compensation for the clerks and carriers is just and right."

The next speaker was a former Assistant Postmaster at Philadelphia, Honorable Congressman Harry C. Ransley, of the Third District.

The Congressman-elect said in part:

"The high cost of living has fallen very heavily upon all salaried people; there is no doubt in my mind but what you are deserving of an increase. I am worse off than the gentleman who preceded me, because I am not yet a member of Congress and he, unfortunately, is not on the proper committee. However, I have no hesitancy in pledging you my work on your behalf. want you, the employees of the Philadelphia postoffice, to feel that the latchstring of my office hangs out to you at any and all times."

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The next speaker, Mr. William B. Stewart, is well known to the letter carriers, who have a very kindly feeling for him. He said in part:

"I want to say that I regret that Senator Penrose is not here with you this evening to assure you-and I think I can assure you-of his hearty support on any legislation that is for the betterment of the postal employees and the postal service. You know -I do not have to tell you-his position heretofore, and I assure you that you can count on him when any matter comes up affecting your interests. I know that you will join with me in a prayer to Almighty God that his health may be restored, that he may live many years to serve God, his country and his State."

The next speaker introduced was the President of the National Association of Post Office Laborers, Mr. John H. Bosche, who presented the views of his organization and expressed the, hope that Congress would grant adequate salaries to the postal employees.

Bro. Edward McGeoy, said in part: .

"We have been assembled here this afternoon with one great idea uppermost in our thoughts. We had among us interesting speakers and interesting personages who are as familiar with the work of the postoffice and its needs as are the people who are employed in the Post Office Department. They have given us their counsel, they have given us the hand of friendship, they have given us their promise of support. But it behooves us to prepare ourselves for the coming measures as recommended by the committees appointed by the various associations. The chairman of the Brief Committee, Mr. Diamond, read you a synopsis embodying seven principal points, and I move you Mr. Chairman, that this assemblage go on record as endorsing those seven points."

The motion was seconded and unanimously adopted by a rising vote.

The meeting was enlivened by the masterful singing of Mrs. Miller, Mr. McCool and Mr. Kelly and selections by the band and community singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and "America" by the very large audience present. EDWARD McGEOY.

Blessed Are the Walkers

"Give me the clear blue sky over my head, a winning road before me, and a three hours march to dinner!" If all of the pencil pushers and key pounders could get a dose of this every day instead of sitting humped up at a morbid desk year in and year out I'll warrant there would be much less use for drugs and physicians in this world.

In company with the hikers, trail followers, and forest roamers, may be included mail carriers, for who is in touch with, or sees more of the great outdoors than the average postman? The hiker's trails may vary as to surroundings, the scenes along a city byroad or a mountain trail are after all mere matters of taste, the main thing is to keep marching, exercise the muscles, and fill the lungs with draughts of invigorating air. Of course I cannot pause in the city thoroughfares to quench my thirst at some cooling spring, but better still, I have the cold water from the mountains gushing from every drinking fountain. I cannot listen to the quaint whispering of a brook or seat myself upon a fallen tree, but I can put the miles behind me with greater ease than if I were trudging over a mountain trail.

As to scenery I can look beyond the city limits and view the canyon rims and mountain walls looming up on the far horizon. I can discern the dim snow peaks behind the ridges and slopes and I get as much pleasure viewing them from a distance as I would were I in the midst of them. Distance does not lessen the charm.

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I have only to let my imagination roam while I mechanically deliver letters here and there to picture the well known trails in the far hills and forests. I can imagine some lone prospector away off there in those lonely surroundings toiling away to get together his winter's supply of wood and packing over long trail his grub supply. The snow season is long in the high altitudes and a man must be prepared for winter. And then when the snow line which has been steadily creeping down the slopes finally reaches the lone prospector and his little cabin I can see him sitting snugly beside his cheery fire in pleasant contemplation, perchance smoking his old corncob pipe and dreaming his day dreams.

Be the season summer or winter I can lend my fancy to suit the occasion. Spring comes. The Chinook steals up through the Palouse. Relentless winter gives way and the atmosphere is moist and warm. Through a gap in the mountains where the river breaks through I can see in fancy the steamers upon Lake Coeur d'Alene pushing their way I can hear the booming and crunching of the ice where the Georgie Oakes lends her stalwart strength in nosing her way across the lake and up the frost bound river where a certain mail carrier, God willing and the foreman of carriers permits, will be when the trout are striking in the spring.

Human beings are naturally lovers of the outdoors. But how many city dwellers feel the daily touch of the earth, the sunshine and the rain. "Blessed are the walkers," says a noted writer. There is nothing like walking to exorcise the blues,

to recover serenity, to make one juster to others, and to realize that life is well worth the living. It is the twang of the crisp air and the lure of the open road that evokes the song of poets. The dull atmosphere that prevails beneath roofs and behind walls did not lead Riley down shady lanes, Whitman afoot in the fields, and London in the out of the way corners of the earth. Zane Grey delights in the trails of desert and hills. Roosevelt gained a new lease of life upon the great plains. There is so much authority for walking as the wisest and best of pastimes that it could be quoted endlessly. I know of a mail carrier who after walking six days in the week is not content to rest on the seventh, but takes long hikes out into the country in company with his wife. "Let them ride in their motor cars," he says, "I will be hale and hearty long after they and their cars are scrapped." And he is right. So each morning as I go forth to fulfill my obligations to myself and the community in which I live I have a confident assurance that unless something disastrous befall me I shall live to see another day, and I repeat again, "Blessed are the walkers," for the mail carriers are the greatest of them. LOUIS ROLLER. Spokane, Wash.

Concerning Postal Record
Advertisements

In the proceedings of the Philadelphia Convention, page 291, October, 1919, issue of the Postal Record, occurs the following resolution favorably reported to that body by the Committee on Resolutions:

Postal Record

"Whereas we believe that the Postal Record to be a medium for the advancement of union labor principles, editorially and in advertising purposes, and

"Whereas we believe it for the best interest of all concerned that the cause of union labor be promoted with all reasonable and honorable methods,

"Resolved, That no advertising be accepted from any firm which does not employ union labor."

The presentation of this resolution, as a perusal of the convention proceedings disclose, provoked no opposition and little discussion. It was unanimously adopted. Running through this great gathering was a more than friendly concern for the welfare of other organized workers. The main idea this resolution embodies, was in harmony with the spirit of the occasion.

In the light of subsequent developments, however, it is patent that due recognition was not given the sweeping prohibition regarding acceptable advertising matter proposed by this measure. In all it is a many sided issue pregnant with disquieting possibilities. Beyond doubt, and to say the least, its terms would have been measurably qualified could all the facts and the knowledge gleaned in the light of subsequent experience, have been brought to the attention of this convention.

In fact a strict observance of the terms of this resolution in question, which by the way are much more rigid than imposed by the American Federation of Labor on its own official publication, is well nigh impossible if advertisements are to be accepted at all. Then, too, aside from the nature of the service rendered and the relations that exist between the letter carrier and all the people, there is the important legal aspects of the case to be considered and the by no remote possibility of unwelcome

means

litigation.

To a greater or less degree, a news publication is a public institution. It performs a certain useful service. The law accords it certain privileges and in turn imposes certain restraints. It may not do as it please. Quite true, in refusing to accept proffered advertising matter, wide discretion is granted a periodical. On the other hand if such refusal were based upon the reasons which this resolution at issue emphasizes, no assurance can be given but what legal liability might ensue for whatever alleged injuries might follow. In any event, the claim of injury could readily provoke unwelcome litigation.

Then again there is the question of second-class mailing privileges, something indispensable to every publication. Under certain stipulations the Post Office Department grants this privilege and in like man

ner and for good and sufficient reason, may revoke it. Citing the power conferred by the Postal Laws and Regulations, the Post Office Department indicates that where the facts in the case give evidence sufficient to show that the refusal of an advertisement amounts to a conspiracy intended to injure a certain firm for the benefit of another firm or firms, that the Postmaster General, at his discretion, may suspend the second class mailing privilege granted the offending publication. The application this ruling might have in doubtful cases is apparent and therefore in this instance and for reasons quite obvious, prudence dictates a conservative course.

This question in its varied phases was considered by the Council of Administration at a recent meeting. The membership are therefore informed that a hard and fast observance of the terms of the resolution, herein quoted, is not feasible and the Editor of the Postal Record has been instructed not to refuse advertisements for the reasons set forth in the resolution adopted by the Philadelphia Convention.

EDWARD J. GAINOR.
President.

Personal

Items under this head, $1.00 for not more than 30 words, to members only.

Chicago carrier desires trade with clerk or carrier west or southwest. Address West, care Postal Record, Washington, D. C.

Any clerk or carrier in Colorado or California desiring to transfer to Puget Sound Country, may make a deal by corresponding with L. F. Beaty, Bremerton, Wash.

Carrier, second grade, Rochester, Minn., wants transfer to Pacific Coast. Short, three-trip, combination route, good town, hours, 7.30 to 5. Home of Mayo Foundation. Address, Sec'y, Branch 440, Rochester, Minn.

Carrier, $1.800, New York City, wants transfer by March or April 1, to a small city or country town. Will negotiate now. Address, Eureka, care Postal Record, Washington, D. C.

Carrier, $1,800 grade, in Alabama, wishes to trade with carrier in Pennsylvania, Virginia or Washington, D. C. Address, "Alabama," care Postal Record, Washington, D. C.

Carrier, Williamsport, Pa., $1,800 grade, desires transfer with clerk or carrier in Chicago, Ill., Davenport, Iowa, New York City, or Pittsburgh, Pa., or nearby cities, either temporary or permanent. Address, B. A. H., Postal Record, Washington, D. C. Any one wishing to transfer to the beautiful Sacramento Valley, twenty miles from Sacramento and situated on the wonderful California highways; a city of five thousand people; will address Carrier 2, Roseville, Calif.

Carrier, $1,800 grade, wishes a transfer to either Battle Creek or Kalamazoo, Mich. Has good two-trip route, residential section. Address G. W. Hudson, Evanston, Ill., Carrier No. 13.

Claims for Lost Insured and C. O. D. Mail

September 25, 1920. The department is in receipt of a large number of applications for indemnity relating to alleged lost insured and C. O. D. mail which have been completed within less than 50 days from the date the parcels were mailed.

Page 2 of Form 3812 (declaration of addressee and statement of postmaster at office of address) must not be completed in loss cases until the expiration of at least 30 days from the date of mailing of the parcel, because in many instances parcels supposed lost are subsequently received and delivered within that time.

Postmasters will see that all employees concerned familiarize themselves with instructions on pages 117 to 123, July, 1920, Guide relating to indemnity claims. A. M. DOCKERY,

Third Assistant Postmaster General. Beware the much advertised "sure cure" for disease, warns the United States Public Health Service. While experimenting, the disease often gets beyond the point where it can be cured by a competent physician.

Akron, Ohio

The regular meeting of Branch 148 was held on December 4, 1920, with a large attendance. Our ex-postmaster, A. Ross Read, was present and gave a short but interesting talk. Mr. Read is leaving in the near future for California, and I am sure every postal employee who meets him out there will learn to love and honor him.

The election of officers for the ensuing year was held and the following brothers elected: President, E. R. Drews; vicepresident, Forest Bell; sergeant-at-arms, John Fink; N. S. B. A. Clerk, Ott Drews; M. B. A. Collector, C. Baumert, and H. Morris, trustee for a term of three years. Financial Secretary Geo. Pfaunstiel, Treasurer W. J. Reed and Recording Secretary C. A. Gardner were reelected.

I am sure the incoming officers will do all in their power to uphold the standards of the N. A. L. C. and cooperate with the national officers in every respect to bring about the desired results.

In closing it is my desire to wish every brother in the N. A. L. C. A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

CHAS. A. GARDNER.

Boise, Idaho

Looking forward with hope and anxiety to see what the next Congress will grant us in the way of encouragement. Boise

Branch 331 awaits in silence. It is to be hoped that the small cut in the cost of living that we read about in the papers, but have failed to realize, will have no vital influence on these men. We just noticed an article in our daily paper where there was a cut in the cost of living, and in this same paper noticed that the price of coal had advanced from $14.75 per ton to $16 per ton. Can you figure out where the reduction comes in? This is only one of a number of such instances. It is to be hoped, I repeat it, that our Congressmen will not be influenced by these reports. There was also an "ad" by one of our leading stores quoting an article at a big reduction, Price $2.35, and I have bought the same article of as good, if not better quality for 50 cents many a time. Well, such is life in the Far West.

Now that I have had time to think over my trip through the Sawtooth Mountains. I shall endeavor to give you a brief of my impressions. Leaving Boise on the morning of September 12, we drove to Hailey. Idaho. 140 miles. Here we camped and Monday we fished in Wood River. Tuesday morning early we left Hailey and at 9:15 A. M. crossed over Galena Summit. This is where the State Highway crosses the Sawtooth Range. Swinging down the winding ribbon of road into Stanley Basin and the Salmon River Valley, we reached Stanley Lake at 4:30 P. M. On the shore of the lake we pitched camp. Our speedometer registered 260 miles when we made our permanent camp, where we stayed a week. For over 100 miles we had traveled at the foot of a mighty range of jagged and rocky peaks resembling the teeth of an immense cross-cut saw, bordered by miles and miles of trackless forest of pine. Over 100 miles from any railroad and miles and miles from habitation, lost from the outside world.

Darkness was gathering in the dense pine forest and mystic shadows played about the distant tree bordered shore of Stanley Lake. Leaving camp I wandered alone, along the shore until I came to a cozy and secluded nook. Here I sat down to let my mind grasp the beauty and grandeur of the wonderful scene. The setting sun was kissing the snow-capped peaks of the mountains and turning them into an opal hue. Not a ripple disturbed the placid waters of the lake that reflected the mountains as perfectly as if it had been a mirror.

It is useless to say that under such conditions ideas are born. The lake before me faded and the curtain that hides our coming destinies was drawn aside and my mind drifted out beyond the portals of obscurity and away on the silent air into the unknown

future. Before me lay a vast desert of purple sage, barren, lonely, forbidding and trackless. From far away came a slowly moving object. At first it was only discernible, for it was so near the color of the sage. At last it took the form of a mighty army of men, all in uniforms of grey. From a mountain came a river of water flowing through a canal. From this main canal led smaller ones and from these still smaller ones until the entire desert was watered: and was changed as if by a magic hand. In place of the sage brush were homes and farms, orchards, gardens, flowers, fruit, fields of grain and hay, cattle, horses. chickens and hogs. From across the lake came the lonely howl of a coyote and I was aroused from my reverie.

Now, would it not be possible for the N. A. L. C. to get hold of a tract of, say 100,000 acres of desert land, and promote an irrigation project. Put this land under water and lease it in say forty and eighty acre tracts for different numbers of years ranging from one to twenty. This would provide available land at all times. Divide this land into five acre tracts and at time of retirement give each member a deed to a five acre tract. This project would only cost each member a small amount each year and when he retired it would be worth many times what it cost him. Also it would provide a home for many a member who was not fortunate enough to own a home when he entered the postal service.

This

And again, how many of us would be willing to sit down on our front porch, or perchance, someone else's porch and have nothing to do the balance of our life? little acreage would give employment and occupy one's mind. Furthermore, how many of us will be content on the 60 per cent of our salary? This five acres would produce a good part of an independent living. This matter, if given the proper thought, may mean that in a few years we shall have a colony of retired letter carriers. Would it not be nice to settle down among a whole colony of people with whom you have worked all your life and know they are all of the same class as yourself? "Twould be a grand thing if we can only see our dreams come true. There are thousands of acres of rich land out in this country just waiting for water and it will be a Garden of Eden.

At the present time the Government is thinking of opening up a new system known as the Minidoka Project comprising an area of 150,000 acres. Let's get busy be fore all the good land is taken up. Some one suggest a plan and get the thing started.

I think I heard some one say: "I told you so. "There is one born every minute.' Here is another one out in Idaho." Anyway Branch 331 is pulling for the $1,800 first year; $2,100 second year and $2,400 thereafter. Also we want inserted in the sick leave a clause to read like this: "Exclusive of Sundays and Holidays." Also

we want a better retirement law and have faith in our Congress to believe that it will grant these things in the near future.

Now, lest our delegate to St. Louis should forget, we, Boise Branch 331, want the 1923 national convention just as bad as Los Angeles or any other seaport, and when we want anything we want it just as bad as a grown person.

ALBERT WATSON.

Bay City, Mich.

As it has been sometime since a letter from Branch 187 has appeared in the Postal Record, our boys thought it would be a good idea to let our brothers know that while we have been silent We are very much alive and active. We are proud of the fact that we are a 100 per cent Branch.

On November 8 we held our regular meeting at the home of Brother Gallow, and while our meeting was, as usual, interesting and instructive, the added pleasure was the hospitality of our Brother Gallow and his family. They served a regular dinner for us and the way we disposed of it was a caution. Tonight we have just left the

home of Bro. Ed. Ruhlig, where we held our regular December meeting and election of officers.

While our 1920 officers have been very efficient and we are proud of them, we tonight filled the offices for 1921 with new young blood, so you may expect to hear of their good works before the year is over. We again had a wonderful meeting tonight and another bounteous dinner served by Brother Ruhlig and his good wife. Our old faithful Bro. "Tony" Pfeiffer was with us tonight for the last time as a letter carrier. he having, after 27 years of service, retired on his 65th birthday, December 10. The boys made him a present of a rocker of goodly proportions that he might sit at ease and dream of the days that are past. It was also the pleasure of the Branch to confer on him a life membership in Branch 187. It has been a great pleasure for us to have been associated all these years with a man of his sterling worth and honest endeavor, and while we regret his departure we are glad to know that he isn't turned out into an absolutely cold world. We must take the bitter and the sweet and think as Jas. Whitcomb Riley did when he wrote:

"This world that we are livin' in
Is mighty hard to beat.
There's a thorn with every rose-
But ain't the roses sweet?"

With the seasons greetings to you all from Branch 187. EDW. T. McCLAY.

Cleveland, Ohio

The last meeting of Branch 40, held December 10, was well attended. By a referendum of the members at the main office and the stations all the old officers were reelected. For delegates to the Cleveland Federation of Labor there was quite a contest. In addition to President Harris and Secretary Matthias the following delegates were elected: Robert G. Holt, Thomas F. Flynn, Fay S. Trafton and James LaDu. The officers will be installed at the next meeting, January 1, 1921. The incoming officers together with the officers of the Ladies Auxiliary will act as a committee to provide an entertainment for all the members who attend. The Ladies Auxiliary of Cleveland are invited and we are very glad that they will be with us on that night. A special invitation will be sent to our retired members. Our older members will be assured a hearty welcome and a good time. We expect a large attendance of the sisters and brothers on that night.

Bro. Henry Schlagetter, Chairman of the Publicity and Salary Committee, reported that all our local Congressmen who will take part in the long session had been interviewed with regard to increase of salary in accordance with the demands of the Philadelphia Convention and that all had responded favorably. Congressman Mooney, he said, had suggested that there be an additional grade added, admitting to it those postal employees who reside in the large cities like New York, Philadelphia. Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, etc. This idea did not meet with favor from the members of Branch 40, as the debate which followed, showed. It was contended that any such discrimination in wages between postal employees in the large, and those in the small cities would cause dissension in our membership and tend to create two factions such as existed way back in 1896, when there was a difference of $150 in the maximum salary of the first and second class cities. Let us all stand together as a unit. This is no time for division in our councils.

The advice given to us by our national officers that each carrier should write to his local Congressman for a reclassification of salaries into three grades, $1.800. $2,100 and $2,400 and 80 cents an hour for substitutes was received with favor and a shower of letters will be received by local Congressmen from the carriers of Branch 40. Let us hope that this shower will bring desired results, for the cost of living is still far above pre-war prices, and in Cleveland taxes, rent and street car fare is higher than ever. Speed the day when we shall receive a Living Wage, which we are certainly not getting now.

ROBERT G. HOLT.

The postal service is the people's service and is closely related to every man, woman and child within the confines of the country.