Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-30
The Letter Carriers.


THEY ASK FOR EIGHT HOURS AS A DAYS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO APPEAR BEFORE
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MONDAY
A delegation from the Washington letter
carriers and others representing the delivery
system in other cities in the country, will
appear before the House committee on labor on
Monday to ask for the proper legislation to con-
stitute eight hours as days labor. They are
now working thirteen hours day, and on some
days even longer than that. In speaking of one
of their duties q New York carrier SAYS that in
that city: Zone OF the worst abuses is the watch
Ing system, whereby each carrier has to stand a
watch one night in a week at the sub-stations
which makes him sort of janitor or policeman
a duty he is not engaged tor when he is hired
by the government. One has to stand up or sit
up all night, after making the long and weary
rounds OF the day, and then begin again next
day all the same"
Another carrier says: "Then there is the
ground we cover in making our trips. We are
compelled to run up and down the front stoops
snow, and stand shivering in the cold waiting
for servants or masters to receive their mail
And that iaborious work continues from six in
the morning until seven or eight O'Clock at
night, with scarcely an interval for food and
rest l go home to my little family every night
SO worn out that can scarcely stand on my
feet, and it seems as If never would get rested
AS for the society OF my wife and children,
gave it up long ago. When first went into the
service used to go out evenings, or endeavor to
amuse my family at home, but I soon dis
covered that was too much exhausted to at
tempt any pleasure, OF ala IN giving IL 10 Others
When went into the uniform 1 thought had a
good situation, and would not have to work over
ten hours day at most, but thirteen is the
rule and ten the exception"
do you carry many parcels In your bag?'
asked the reporter OF q chunky letter carrier
who appeared to have burden on his back
"DO II" came the answer, as the boy in gray,
smiled complacently at the reporter. "Well,
just wish you could heft this bag; but you know
it wouldn't do for me to let you touch It, Iguess
1t weighs about thirty pounds this time. I've
had as high as fOrty-nve pounds weight in IT,"
Nv hat made it SO heavy?"
"YOu couldn I guess and can tell you of only
q few of the articles the parcels contained.
People send all sorts OF things through the
mails-samples of goods, some Of iron, BRASS
wood and SO forth. Those who have boxes at
the office send for such things: but there are
many who do not nave boxes, and you would
be surprised at the number and weight of the
parcels and letters they receive"
"What is your observation concerning SO
many deliveries day?" asked the reporter of a
carrier who serves large mercantile district.
"Most oil of the merchants do not care for SO
many deliveries as we make at present. Many
OF them declare Us a positive nuisance in enter
ing their offices SO often during the day. In fact,
we are saluted In many business houses and
offices with such remarks as these, Hello! you
here again? For heavens sake, how many
times a day dOyou come around?' 81 don't want
to be bothered receiving my mail every hour or
two; fetch it two or three times day, or when it
amounts to something Those are only sam
pie OF the greetings we recieve-sOme in good
nature enough, but q few are caustic and indi-
cative OF an annoyance on our part:
"Are there not many who desire the frequent
deliveries"
"Certainly, but they could get along with less,
as they have done In times past. You see, when
commissioner from the department came here
TO see about an early morning delivery, one
was ordered, but they never discontinued the
late evening trip, and that gives US more trips
now every other day.