Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
HE STOOD BY THEM.
The Local Postal Clerks Will Com
mend Mr.. McKean's Efforts.
PENDING POSTAL LAWS EXPLAINED
The Eight-Hours Consecutive Law to be
Shelved for Another Year.
A VACATION WITH PAY is ASSURED.

The quarterly meeting of the Pittsburg
Postal Clerks Association will take place
to- day, it being the only day upon which
the hardworked Government clerks can
leave their duties. The meeting will con-
slider and take action upon a speck of
trouble in the local Office resultant upon the
meeting of frst-class postmasters in Wash.
ington City last Wednesday.
1t is remarkable fact that the Postofice
Department cannot inaugurate new move
ments without the knowledge of the postal
clerks. Knowing that the meeting would
take place, the Executive Committee of the
local Office waited upon Postmaster Mexican
and requested him to advocate certain
measures of vital Importance to the EN-
ployes. Mr.. Mexican went to Washington
and took an important part in the meeting,
which was held in Postmaster General
Wanamaker's private Offices, and since his
return has refused to make any statement as
to what transpired at the meeting, holding
that it was part of the secret machinery of
the department.
Meanwhile some of the carriers have
learned from Eastern sources of informa-
ton that the conference sat down on the
"eight hours consecutive" movement, and
there have been excited discussions OF the
matter, eliminating in the charge that Post
master Mexican had gone back on the
boys"
A STATEMENT SECURED.
Mr.. Mexican was requested last evening
to make a statement in regard to the matter,
but refused TO say anything. The reporter
was referred to President Cowan, of the
Postal Clerks Association, who made the
following statement:
"Mr. Mexican has been misrepresented in
this matter, and the association at its meet
ing tomorrow will pass resolutions of
thanks to him for what he was instrumental
in securing as our representative. There were
several measures under consideration at the
conference with the Postmaster General.
The clerks are, of course, deeply in
terested in the 'eight-hour co.,
secutive' movement. There were
also the 15-day vacation with pay the i'm
crease salaries and the classification bills
discussed. Mr.. Mexican strenuously ad-
vocated the 15-day vacation with pay bill,
and is responsible for its adoption. His
resolution to ask for an appropriation of
100000 to provide for the vaca-
will be transmitted to the Senate
Committee on Postoflces, of which Senator
Quay is Chairman. We feel certain of an
affirmative recommendation. The bills in
favor of increased salaries and 'classiica-
ton are very important to postal employees,
but as they are bills which must originate
in the House, and run the gauntlet with the
general run of legislation, the employees
toresee that it will be uphill work.
STAND A GOOD SHOW.
"Past experience has shown US that even
when we do secure ameliorative legislation
from Congress the insufficient appropria-
tons render it nugatory. That has been
the case with the modified classification bill
passed at the last session of Congress-there
has not been enough money to carry out its
provisions. We have, however, strong as
surances that the increased salaries and
classification bills stand a good show all
around"
"What is the status Of the 'eight-hours
consecutive bill, about which there seems
to be some local misunderstanding"
81 am coming to that" said Mr.. Cowan.
"Pittsburg is more closely conforming to
Sunset Co1's eight-hour bill than any city
in the country. Of course we want the
eight hours of labor to be consecutive. At
present employees nave TO put In eight hours
in the manner Most advantageous to the
service, and are often expending 10, II or IL
hours in working g. When we have eight
hours it will be great advant-
age to us, and think it will come. But
under present conditions it was discovered
by Mr.. Mexican that eight-hours consecu-
tive meant "a per cent cut in salaries
in the Pittsburg Office, all the way
round. More men would be employed, of
course, but those already at work would be
cut one-fourth of their present salaries Mr..
Mexican opposed this, and advised waiting
another year, when the revenues of the de-
partment would offer more chances of sue
cess. 1 cordially indorse his action, and
we shall pass resolutions of that purport at
our meeting tomorrow.