New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-26
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
A RECORD TO BE PROUD OF.
THE HIGHEST MARK ATTAINED IN THE RAIL
WAY MAIL. SERVICE.

WAY NAIL SERVICE.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
str: There will sail for Hamburg Germany. tomor-
morning. on the steamship Russia, Young man,
Charles II. Oler, OF the railway mail service. lie
goes in order to begin his duties postal clerk
on the Augusta Victoria and will leave Hamburg for
the United states on his return trip. April II. lie
was selected for this sea service account Of his
wonderful record In postal examinations during 1890.
lie stands at the head Of 900 railway postal clerks as
the most proficient in the distribution OF mail matter,
and he carries with him gold medal presented by the
Government testimonial to his eXpertnesS and skill
In his profession.
A year AGO, Postmaster General Wanamaker offered
prize OF gold medal to each Of the eleven divisions
Of the railway mail service for the clerk who attained
the highest record examinations during 1890. and one
general prize for the clerk who passed the best eX-
aminatons in the entire service, who knocked out all
competitors, and that is where Mr.. Oler gets his
glory.
Mr.. Olers record is almost past human belief and
calculation. lie examined on fourteen states and
handled II G40 cards each card representing postoice
in the states examined, and In all that vast number
made but twelve errors OF distribution, or 1894 per
cent correct lie made but two in Nebraska, two
I'm Indiana three in New York. two in Illinois. two in
MINES IA and one in south Dakota. In ono 3.Oi0
cards were thrown ard not error occurred; in Wis
consin. 1910 and errors; in Iowa. 1,7se. no
errors Michigan $50, errors. and perfection was
also attained in Connecticut, Massachusetts. Vermont
and New hampshire. His average speed was twenty
five card, per minute.
NJ. Oer belonged TO the New York and Chicago
Fast Line and ran between Cleveland and Chicago,
and entered the service in September, 1859. HIS
closest competitor in his division NINTH Walter f..
Sclutt who examined in but six states and threw
but 1896 cards. not half many Olcr, willie his cr
rors were sevcn which gave him 1898 per cent correct
-, sIf md
per minute
In examinations postal clerks are required to throw
cards about the size Of postal into boxes labelled as
in a mail car The boxes are arranged by states and
routes, and II requires thorough knowledge OF the
territory to distribute them rapidly and correctly. In
addition, clerks required 10 answer questions re-
eariing the disposition Of mail In case OF delayed
trains, that it may reach its destination In The
shortest possible time. Any mistake in answering
these questions Is checked as an error against them
aud reduces their percentage.
In the general orcr issued by superintendent George
W. Pepper Of the ninth division, special mention Is
made OF nineteen other clerks whose records warranted
such distinction, but the highest number Of cards
thrown by any Of them 7,2i2 while the next
was 593 and from that down - BIOS. the clerk who
threw the last making thlrty-scvcn errors.
Before Ocr entered the railway mail service no
worked on "A farm during the summer near Richmond,
Ind and taught school the winter lie Is not yet
twcny-sX Years OF age. has strong physcai organ
ilatiOn and Is modest almost 10 dlfdcnce. HIS eyes
blue and set far back under protruding eyebrow
Ills face denotes great candor and honesty and any
hotel clerk would register him even without baggage
and give him room without requiring payment III
advance.
Ocr got into the mail service through civil Service
examination at indianapolis, and was gwen tenn
pOrary appointment FOR SIX months, 1T september
i--p At the end II is probationary period he was
examined ON 5000 Offices and secured $3.50 per cent
Of perfection, while the number Of Offices the resila
tons require examinations 10 be- made III is but
900. 80 that even his entrance into the service
ne broke all previous records aud at once established
for himself reputation for efficiency never before at
tanned by any person preceding him.
And now at the end Of eighteen months, he has
become famous throughout the entire railway mail
service a, the me,t expert and correct distributor Of
mail matter in il. lie is splendid example Of a
bright determined and ambitious American. and his
future will be watched with interest by every person
JOHN H. PATTERSON,
Editor Of The United states Mail"
New York, March -, 1891.